Spasticity and Splints - Part 18

Along with the Lycra glove, I have also tried other Lycra garments and suits. I was the first child to have a Lycra suit funded by the NHS in our area. Lycra suits are skin-tight and they’re designed to compress the muscles a little to dampen down involuntary movements or support controlled movement. I don’t know what it’s like now, but when I was about five years old, Lycra suits weren’t funded in our area because it was like a postcode lottery; it depended on where you live if you got Lycra suits on the NHS. I think my family bought my first Lycra suit, but then when I grew, I needed new ones. I don’t remember much, my family fought for the suits to be funded by the NHS in the area. I believe that I was in the local newspaper.

Recently, I have tried two shoulder supports, again, made from Lycra. My right arm and shoulder tend to come across my body, so I have tried two Lycra supports to prevent this. The first one was extremely uncomfortable because I wore it under my top and it had straps across my chest and I did not like the feeling at all; this was when I was at college.

About a year ago, I tried another shoulder support, but I wore this one on top of my t-shirt. I tried it for a few weeks, but unfortunately, this one didn’t work for me either. I was measured up for the support, but it seemed too big for me because it was either too loose so it didn’t give the correct support, or when it as tightened, it ended up riding up and rubbing my neck. My dad said that it’s probably made for people who don’t move around as much – he’s probably right.

In conclusion, no matter what is needed, I wish people would get to know a person and treat them as an individual, and not lump us all together because as I have proved, that doesn’t work at all! All that does is piss us off and stops us from getting the things that we need, and potentially putting us in danger.

So, if you’re a professional reading this, please listen to your patient or client. Please don’t dismiss their opinions and views, because you may be trained in the profession but everyone is different, what works for one person may not work for another. Everyone knows their body better than anyone, even if you are a specialist… I know I’ve used this term a lot, but I just want people to understand that we are all individuals, and you need to treat us as individuals.

Merry Christmas and a happy New Year! I wish each and every one of you a happy and healthy Christmas and 2026! See you on the other side!