Loss of functions.....

What would you do if you have lost your left arm?
Maybe even as small as your big toe. 
It will affect your balance.

I had a flu jab and pneumonia jab today.

I try to have a flu jab every year due to my heart condition.

But the nurse today suggested I have a pneumonia jab too.

(Apparently, you only need it every 10 years!)

I was slightly suspicious and I also hesitated then she gave 

me the instruction paper in the box of the vial. 

Then ensured me that it would be safe to have it and
considering my medical history it would be beneficial.

Ok, I had it on my right arm (high), after about 5 hours, 

it started to swell up a bit and I cannot really left my arm

but can do movements such as e.g. typing....
Toileting is slightly difficult as I find taking my trousers off 
painful but still doable. Now thinking I should have had it
on my left arm! Anyway, this is only so minor and temporary.

This simple example got me thinking about one of my service user
(Jude) who suffers from MND (Motor Neurone Disease) who does not
have any upper and lower limb functions. I had to write a letter
to her housing officer explaining why she cannot visit the property to
sign her tenancy agreement. She did not understand why
my service user couldn't sign then she asked whether she could
make a mark...I said to her very unlikely....she just about moves
her thumb to press a very soft button.
I cannot even imagine what Jude went through by losing so much
of her functionalities. It would have been a bereavement process,
as it is a lose of her abilities to use her limbs.

I was feeling a bit fad up with the case today as it's just so
complex and it's a hurdle after hurdle. Though I was expecting it.
You just feel tired sometimes. Of course, I empathise with Jude,
yet I am also a human being after all!