MDF Magazine Issue 61 April 2020 (2)

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EventsA long journey to bring hopeHow far would you go to make a difference in someoneelse’s life? This is the question that Angelos and CindyFrantzeskos asked themselves many long years ago.The answer came in a form that would make most of usrespond with “Are you serious?” – because it was a10-day cycling trip over 1 400km from Johannesburg toCape Town!This is the seventh time our team of heroes has joinedAngelos and Cindy on the epic journey, which began on 26February. We wish you all the best of luck and I am sure theentire MDF community are behind you!18
PeopleHow to Overcome BeingSelf-conscious About Using aPower ChairBy Hawken MillerOriginally published online byMuscular Dystrophy News Today, 2 December 2019Power chair use can feel like a burden. Most peopleI hang around don’t use a wheelchair so it makes mefeel out of place. I also have to fi nd alternate routesto get into places like restaurants and offi ces, whichis inconvenient for all who accompany me. However,having to use a powered mobility device most of mylife has helped me realize much of comfort has todo with attitude. The more you get out in the worldand experience life in a power chair, the more secureyou’ll be.The level of my self-consciousness goes up anddown – as do most emotions in my life – butmanaging it with intentionality is extremely important.If thoughts of alienation get too out of hand, you arehamstrung in your attempts to enjoy life with others.Action and attitude go hand in hand, so you’ll needto work on both if you want to be less self-consciousin public or with friends. The words of Shia LaBeoufin his viral meme ring true here: “Just do it!” The bestway to overcome these feelings is to go out into theworld and experience life.The more you can normalize being in a wheelchair,the easier it gets. However, the more you don’t interactin public, the harder it gets to overcome feelingsof self-consciousness. In my case, journalism hashelped me to overcome those feelings. I’m forced tointeract with able-bodied individuals on a regular basis.I become so focused on my work that I forget whygoing out in public often stresses me out so much.When I am not out in the fi eld for a while and I stayhome for too long, it’s harder to manage thosefeelings of self-consciousness. My tip is to try and getout in public or with friends at least couple of times amonth to prevent feeling alienated from everyone.In discussions with my friends, it’s become clearthey couldn’t care less that I use a wheelchair andthat they embrace the way I’m made. That just goesto show most people don’t think as much as youdo about who you are or what you look like. Andwho cares if they do? Trying to worry about whateveryone thinks is draining and it doesn’t help withachieving dreams.I understand it’s easier said than done and, believeme, I’ve been in a place of insecurity many times.Even so, you cannot let your disease dictate the wayyou interact outside your home. It’s hard to feel andlook different than everyone around you, but if youdon’t face your self-consciousness, it will keep youfrom doing what you are capable of accomplishing.Article available at: https://musculardystrophynews.com/2019/12/02/how-to-overcome-being-self-conscious-about-using-a-power-chair/19
Page 1 and 2: Summer Issue 61March 2020A long jou
Page 3 and 4: 05 MDF notice board06 National news
Page 5 and 6: Subscription and contributions toth
Page 7 and 8: NationalWelcome SarieMy name is Sar
Page 10 and 11: MDCOVID-19 Recommendations forthe N
Page 12 and 13: MDTop 10 Muscular DystrophyStories
Page 14 and 15: MDDISABILITYTAXAMENDMENTSSouth Afri
Page 16 and 17: MDExercising toImprove Function inM
Page 20 and 21: PeopleLiving with DMD:Inspiring eac
Page 22 and 23: People“How Muscular Dystrophy Cha
Page 24 and 25: PeopleResearcher with FSHD Awarded
Page 26 and 27: ResearchPotential DMD Treatment, AT
Page 28 and 29: ResearchBreaking News: ResearchOrig
Page 30 and 31: SHEDDING A LOADBy Hilton PurvisAs E
Page 32 and 33: ON THE SPOT, SCOTT…It’s ok Cupi
Page 34 and 35: Random gravity checksShe’s a Rock
Page 36 and 37: HealthyMEDICATIONS & SUPPLEMENTSOri
Page 38 and 39: HealthyNon-Bisphosphonate Medicatio
Page 40 and 41: Congratulations! You did it!Our ach
Page 42 and 43: Sandra’s thoughts on…Social wor
Page 44 and 45: Cape BranchA warm welcome to Dianne
Page 46 and 47: Cape BranchTembaletu: Women Youth,
Page 48 and 49: Gauteng BranchOld Mutual bringing h
Page 50 and 51: Gauteng BranchWhat a time to make a
Page 52 and 53: KZN BranchMDF KZN Officially Launch

MDF Magazine Issue 61 April 2020 (2)

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