ITFC has always been a community-based club, focused on family and playing football the right way, continuously launching programs through targeted inclusion initiatives, innovative thinking, and opportunities for all. Reaching the hometown of Ipswich and out into local areas.
In Part One we focused on its role in the community, recent programs and initiatives in order to showcase the power of football, bringing people together and enjoying a common interest but, also to learn about the variety offered and taking some top tips from The Management Team to support us in our efforts to manage our LTHCs and Disabilities*.
You can read it here
In Part Two
In Part two we looked at how Kieran McKenna’s wise words and analytical skills, have been applied to the ITFC Men’s team since taking on the role of the manager in December. How his experience, attention to detail, commitment, drive and incredible work have turned around the performance, results and success of a team struggling to stay afloat prior to his appointment. Bringing back the positive approach and hope for many. Through definitions, we will explore some of his key concepts with working examples of their effect on the team and club as a whole.
You can read it here
In Part 3
In Part Three we look at how McKenna’s wise words and analytical skills can be transferred to help us support our LTHCs and Disabilities with a specific focus on Pituitary Conditions and Addison’s Disease. Using the same definitions but in a different context, this is an innovative way to bring the medical world and the sporting world together as one.
In Part 4
In Part Four we will approach the final definitions of Frustration and Disappointment. Acknowledge their role in the equation through the ‘Can’t Win, Don’t Loose’ philosophy, whilst reflecting on strengths and empowerment.
An unlikely source of inspiration for medical health management you might think? This has the power to change lives. The key concept here is to focus on how the two key areas of sport and medical have the ability to aid understanding of each other and utilise transferrable skills. These words arise from the mouth of ITFC Manager Kieran McKenna who is arguably one of the most analytical, supportive and positive football managers you could ever wish to work with.
The team around us is essential, but the really successful teams then need to come together, recognising that everyone within that bubble is unique, and has an opportunity/feels able to contribute and have their say. Enabling people to have a positive mindset, believe in the science, build on our strengths, increase our confidence, and subsequently allow us to feel empowered. Furthermore enables us to show bravery, increase the intensity, make adaptations and accept frustration and disappointment, whilst also recognising that one-off scenarios such as religious festivals will arise which will require additional and targeted support.
How do We Define Mindset, Belief & Confidence?
‘If you refer to someone's mindset, you mean their general attitudes and the way they typically think about things. We have to change people's mindsets and motivate them’.(https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/mindset)
The state of believing; conviction or acceptance that certain things are true or real.(https://www.yourdictionary.com/belief)
‘The quality of being certain of your abilities or of having trust in people, plans, or the future’:(https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/confidence)
Many with LTHCs lack confidence in their abilities, especially after a difficult and sometimes drawn-out diagnosis. Joining social media groups is a great thing to do but should be done with caution. Comparing yourself to someone else is not sensible. Not to mention viewing what seem to be ‘picture’ perfect lives through photos of family, friends or acquaintances. Mind has this great support article on Online Health so you can stay connected in a positive way.
Having a positive mindset will help us tackle problems head-on. Knowing and understanding where we need to get to through teamwork, trial and error, being brave, changing intensity levels, having a voice in our treatment and looking at ourselves as unique should support increased confidence in the management of complex medical conditions. Biotene offers 8 top tips as guidance. These include reminding yourself that you are not alone, making little goals and focusing on the quality of life.
How Do Define A Team?
‘A team is defined as a group of people who perform interdependent tasks to work toward accomplishing a common mission or specific objective’.(Quality Glossary Definition; https://asq.org/quality-resources/teams)
If you then think that in minimal terms when you have an LTHC/Disability you’ll have a Consultant, Nurse, GP and Pharmacy with whom you work with. You may also include a physiotherapist, additional consultants or a registrar, a psychiatrist perhaps. Our team may well be smaller but that’s not to say it’s any less important.
What Is The True Meaning Of A Team?
‘A team is composed of members who are dependent on each other, work towards interchangeable achievements, and share common attainments. A team works as a whole together to achieve certain things. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Team)
Without everyone in our team communicating and linking our overall care will not be maximised. Multidisciplinary meetings may be daunting but getting everyone together in one room to produce a joint plan can be highly effective. With the effects of the pandemic opportunities for this are now highly compromised. Finding an alternative can be difficult and patients need to take the lead, noting and sharing appointment notes, overlapping symptoms, other treatments and plans. Getting yourself across in phone and video consultations can also be complicated and daunting.
The pandemic has also caused a backlog of letters being sent from hospitals to GPs and other consultants. Don’t be afraid to use email to forward some information ahead of your appointment if you think it will help. Email addresses often pop up on letters and you can approach the PALS team at the hospital if you don’t have a direct contact email.
How Do We Define Bravery?
‘The quality or state of having or showing mental or moral strength to face danger, fear, or difficulty(https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bravery)
Suffering from an LTHC and especially one that involves a life-threatening element is going to make this difficult. Challenging ourselves is a positive thing but we have to be prepared for each stage properly. This poignant quote by Ella who has a milk and egg allergy shows just how brave she needs to be and the stress and anxiety that it causes in her everyday life.
Likewise, those with Pituitary Conditions such as Insufficiency/Addison’s require a shock pack at all times (Emergency injection kits). An unforeseen stressful situation requiring additional cortisol is a potentially life-threatening situation created. Being prepared is crucial, from checking vials are in date, to brushing up on symptoms and, regularly watching and refreshing how to administer the essential injection will leave you feeling prepared will be great support mechanisms. It’s easier to be brave if we know how to cope with the worst. Liverpool Nurses produced this focused injection video during the lockdown as an alternative to face-to-face group sessions throughout the pandemic.
How Do We Define Intensity?
‘The quality or condition of being intense. Great energy, strength, concentration, vehemence, etc., as of activity, thought, or feeling’:(https://www.dictionary.com/browse/intensity)
Planning, pacing and gradual increases in activity are the way to progress safely. Self Management Pacing and Goal Setting from The West Suffolk NHS Pain Team has some good basic steps to help you onto the right pathway
How do We Define Contribution/Vocal Input?
‘The part played by a person or thing in bringing about a result or helping something to advance'. (https://languages.oup.com/google-dictionary-en/)
‘You say that people are vocal when they speak forcefully about something that they feel strongly about.(https://www.collinsdictionary.com/us/dictionary/english/vocal)
Consultations offer us the opportunity to make a contribution to our outcome. Detail and knowledge are great. Sometimes it can be hard to take in everything that is happening and summarise or remember everything that has been said. Taking notes whilst at your appointments or taking someone with you can be really helpful. As can your medical notes folder, especially if you see more than one specialist. Each of these will bring something special to the table. Creating more of a networking type of programme and then bringing everything together to formulate a plan. Unless we are forthcoming with all the facts we cannot expect to be treated as a unique patient. We need to be proactive and clear.
This can be via writing, perhaps even a poem, keywords or even a visual interpretation of how you are feeling and your concerns. Even a very basic level of using emojis for different situations that you face on a daily basis would be helpful to those involved in your care.
How do We define Unique?
‘Existing as the only one or as the sole example; single; solitary in type or characteristics’ (https://www.dictionary.com/browse/unique)
Even if we have the same diagnosis we are not the same. That’s why medication is issued differently, and why there are different medications for the same condition. Where you live, who you live with, your role, your purpose and, even your hobbies. All impact on how your medical team will support you and what medication you get. How we approach our treatment and react to it will also differ.
A working example of this in action is Ramadan is observed by Muslims in the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and involves a period of fasting, prayer, reflection and community. During this time Muslims do not consume food or water during daylight hours. The production of this leaflet Fasting With Adrenal Insufficiency was funded by the ADSHG, The Pituitary Foundation and CAH Support Group. It looks at options such as changing medications to once-a-day ones so a drink is not needed through the day and, ensuring you re-familiarise yourself with sick day rules. There are also options for those for whom it is considered to be too dangerous and too fast. These include fasting on alternate days, helping to feed the poor or waiting until it is safe for you to fast at another time of the year. There's a great chart that is easy to follow if you develop the symptoms of Adrenal Crisis throughout the fasting period. A great example of how a specific and very personal circumstance can be respected through a different approach with plenty of support.
So, some parallels with the sporting world, some headline facts, and hopefully, some understanding and support. Lots of transferable skills and a great opportunity to work together and become a part of each other's teams in one form or another.
Mind - Online Mental Health Support - Social Media
West Suffolk NHS Pain Team - Self Management, Pacing and Goal Setting
Addison's Disease Self Help Group - Video of Arenal Insufficiency Injection Video
Biotene - Stay Positive with Chronic Illness
*Please remember that these blogs are very real for us. We are on the same journey and it’s tough, slow and frustrating. Most of the Scenarios we face ourselves. Sometimes we find what we convey helpful but at other times we don’t. However, we include it because everyone's journey is different and we like to have this passionate perseverance to help others as much as possible. To dispose of it all would be a waste and a disservice to our readers.
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