Last month I was excited and preparing for my first overseas holiday since 2010. I was going to the Eden Project in Cornwall, with Will Convey, to take part in a workshop to promote environmental and disability awareness.
I was supposed to travel to Belfast on Thursday 12th March and head to England on the Friday 13th March. However, the world was changing with the covid-19 reaching closer and closer to Ireland and the UK. On Wednesday 11th March I officially put myself into covid-19 lock-down and with that, my long-awaited holiday was over before it started.
I was disappointed and upset with the news, but I knew it was the right thing to do for my health. Part of my disability is Type 2 Respiratory Failure, which was just one of the things that the virus attacks.
I was offered to take a 12-week drug “holiday” from Vimizim. As I was in complete lock-down at my parent’s home, I felt that the introduction of someone coming into the house on a weekly basis to give me the infusion was too big of a risk for me. 4 weeks later, I do find my energy and concentrations levels dropping and my pain levels increasing. I still feel I made the right decision. I am safe, well and happy, which is the main thing.
For the first two weeks of lock-down, I had been following all news religiously; reading all articles and posts online to hear the latest news of the virus.
However, my anxiety levels went through the roof. I lost all sense of purpose, my sense of humour evaporated, and I couldn’t find enjoyment in anything. I feared I was going to catch it or someone I know, and love would die from it.
I made a conscience decision to stop watching the news and stop following posts online about it. Two weeks later, I am in a much healthier place mentally over covid-19. I am in no way taking things for granted or feel I can relax in my hygiene or social distancing, but I can see the woods again, not just the trees.
As someone told me recently, “You’ll find out what you need to know” and they were right.
I spoke to BBC Radio Foyle‘s Mark Patterson Show about mental health and well-being of disabled people through covid-19.
I set up a new site, alongside many great disabled people like Sean Fitzgerald, Michaela Hollywood and Greta Gurk to name but a few, called NI Disabled Leaders. The purposes of this is to get out important online for disabled people at this time. It can be found on Facebook and Twitter.
One great saving grace for myself are Zoom and House Party. These allow me to stay in contact with family members, friends and work colleagues from our various locations. It allows me to keep in contact with so many great people in my life and keep the usual banter alive. Watching Father Eddie Gallagher of Parish of Greencastle – Co. Tyrone‘s Facebook Live Masses is also a much needed and much loved aspect of this new way of life.
With Zoom conferences with work colleagues and family quizzes, and daily House Party with friends, I don’t believe we have ever been quite so connected before. I hope when this is all over, we were human contact is the greatest gift we have and we must never lose that.
One of the things that many of Facebook have noticed in recent days and week, the volume of my video content is starting to increase. I am making lots of daft wee videos to lighten everyone’s mood for a few minutes and if I am honest, lighten my mood too.
I made a dancing elephant for Taskmaster for #HomeTasking
I recorded a little lip syncing video for Lipsync Lockdown in Omagh.
A took part in a montage video, thanking the NHS. It hasn’t been released yet, but here’s my part.
By far the most important video I made and one I am extremely proud of, is a montage video of disabled people singing Stand By Me to support Hero Shield making PPE for front line workers to combat covid-19.
I have other little private videos for friends and family members on special occasions that will never been made public. :p
So life is scary at the moment and no-one knows what is coming, but take this time out and rediscover who you are.
- Reconnect with old friends, even if it’s just to pick up the phone and ask how they are doing.
- Learn that new skill you wanted to do, but never had the time.
- Watch that film, read that book or listen to that album you love.
- Do something for someone else who deserves recognition for helping.
- Don’t be the next Tiger King.
- Say hello to my friend Mirta, pictured above with me. She loves having me home 24/7.
But most importantly – Stay Safe, Stay at Home and I love you.