When we have a chronic illness or disability it can sometimes be difficult to just laugh and seek out things to enjoy. Getting by is hard enough, let alone trying to remember to laugh!
I pulled together this footage me falling on the sit ski, in the hope that smashes and crashes might be interesting and that something in here might make you smile.
I did a little bit of research and found that there is some science between laughter being the best medicine. I have found that looking after my psychological health makes a difference to how well I cope with pain and fatigue. It improves my resilience and reduces my reliance on pain medication. It helps with working through the grief process that comes with chronic illness and disability.
Skiing is fun, but I also find it challenging. It keeps me learning, not only about how to ski better, but also about myself. For example, resilience is not so much about coping with the fall, but learning to pick yourself up, reset, try and learn from the fall, and then get going again! Lessons on the the maunga (mountain) often transfer into life – especially if they get drummed into you like falling!
Sit skiing is my inspiration for me to keep moving. It’s where my invisible disability becomes visible, but its also where I experience freedom to do the same things as my family and others up the maunga (mountain).
Links to evidence that science supports laughter as the best medicine:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress-relief/art-20044456 sourced 20 November 2020
https://www.psychiatrictimes.com/view/laughter-best-medicine sourced 20 November 2020
AdaptiveGo 