I was thinking about future sessions and what might be interesting to learn more about / discuss / get any experts in who can shed light or offer advice / Q&A that pertain to younger people’s experience. They won’t all be relevant for us all, but hearing those wider and diverse stories and getting more understanding and empathy for others in the community is always valuable in every situation we find ourselves.
Some thoughts included -
Men’s stories / osteoporosis in younger men - we’re all in this team together, and I’d like to know more about men’s experiences.
Work and advocating for your health at work (adjustments /equipment /OH etc)
Intimacy and relationships - including navigating dating and early relationships when osteoporosis is part of your life / how partners can support people with osteoporosis? And, not to be coy about it, if yoga and Pilates is something that needs adaptation, then physical intimacy might do too, beyond the emotional side we might be navigating?
Parenting / pregnancy and osteoporosis
Mental health, wellbeing etc
Managing, thriving and self-care/compassion through body changes, from changes in mobility to weight change etc ?
please can you create a video of an aerobics type session that weaves together all the moderate/high impact exercises and progressive muscle strengthening exercises please? I would find it easier to follow. I have seen there is the dance one but I would feel more confident that all exercises are covered.
I think one of the difficulties is that it’s so varied depending on the person, their circumstances, their experience etc. I’ve lifted for about 4 years but have only dabbled in other exercises, so what I should do for progressive overload is probably different to you. It’s so hard to know what’s right or wrong for exactly this reason. For better or worse my routine involves things like a 30kg chest press - and no issues yet from that because I was doing it before. Are you meaning a beginner workout?
Really I’d like to know what I really must not do - even if it feels fine now. I find it hard to wrap my head around the idea that crunches or forward folds can be bad for me
Thank you for suggesting these topics. I think this list really demonstrates just how much there is for us to think about as people with osteoporosis, and how big the impact on our lives can be. I’d love to find out about them all too. As a new volunteer, I’m not yet sure whether I have an influence on future topics for our monthly meetings but if do, I will certainly take these forward. Thanks again.
Thank you. I was pondering ‘what does it mean to be a younger person with a long term condition’ after the session and flipping that thought on its head (young person first, osteoporosis second) brought these to mind. It also helped remind me that I am, first and foremost, a younger person with a whole wide life I live, and I now do so knowing I have osteoporosis, rather than thinking of myself as ‘osteoporosis first, person second’
On the volunteer front, almost a ‘me too’ - soon to be a volunteer! For what it’s worth I’m always happy to help tackle / facilitate anything about relational or intimate themes. I did a PhD on sex work in literature so I am used to not embarrassing easily if ever we cover that topic and doing so in a safe and academic way. I found a video on osteoporosis and intimacy on the main site and have bookmarked, so seems like it might be a thing they have potentially facilitated before
Having recently got some work accommodations following an OH assessment I also wonder if / hope we can help other people know what they can request / advocate for themselves about in the decades we might have left in the workplace. We have a lot of years ahead to keep living young lives, with these skeletons of ours.
We have a lot of years ahead to keep living young lives, with these skeletons of ours.