How my disability can affect the family life

I wasn’t sure how to tackle this post actually.  But all disabilities affect us and our family live in one way or another so I wanted to open the door slightly into our family life and understand a little bit of what anyone disabled faces EVERY DAY of their lives.

I don’t know if you’ve ever heard of the spoon theory.  I must admit I had forgotten about it until my friend Clare reminded me of it the other day.  Basically every morning I wake and am given a certain amount of spoons (or energy) and have to figure out how they are going to be used.  And truthfully I think most disabled people will tell you they STILL misunderstand exactly how much energy they have.  

So, here we go - an excerpt of what disabled life can be.  This example is not real, but is a wonderful description nonetheless.

Imagine you start your day with 20 spoons. These spoons represent how you are feeling and your energy levels.

So if you wake up feeling happy, you will still have 20 spoons, then you make breakfast say that takes 2 spoons, 

18 spoons left, making  sure Jonathan stays on track getting ready for school that may take 5 spoons, 

13 spoons left, feeding the pets takes 2 spoons, 

11 spoons left, take half an hour to rest gives back 2 spoons,

13 spoons again, get yourself ready for the day ahead, and may take 3 spoons

10 spoons left, therapy session  takes 8 spoons,

2 spoons left, take an hour for self care, 2 spoons back, 

4 spoons, make lunch, sort the pets may use 2 spoons, 

2 spoons left, get ready for Jonathan coming home from school may use 1 spoon

1 spoon left, make dinner, last spoon used.

No spoons left mean you are running on empty but still have things to do! These things need left till you have replenished your spoons.

I  hope that makes sense to you and why we have fluctuating levels of energy..