Living with Long covid Julie

In today's episode of the podcast I talk with my son Alexander.
Alexander and I were talking some time ago, and he explained to me this concept of "safe space" which he had been thinking about. He explained he was developing and applying  this to everyday life, but specifically to the salon he works in. He currently works at Rebecca Dickinson's salon in Bawtry; RD hair, body and soul; Alexander talks about how he wants to make sure the salon he works in is accessible to all, considering physical, emotional and mental health.
We discuss how he is the "safe space" for his clients and the salon environment and his colleagues are his "safe space". We talk about adaptations, accessibility, future plans and opportunities and how other services could implement safe space for inclusion and so much more. This is an inspiring podcast and I thank my son for joining me.
As always #onedayatatime take care, see you on the next podcast. 

Links from today's episode:
https://www.facebook.com/Alexander__hair
https://www.instagram.com/Alexander__hair
https://www.facebook.com/RDhairbodyandsoul 
https://www.instagram.com/RDhairbodyandsoul
https://www.mind.org.uk
My Links:
https://linktr.ee/joulest
https://twitter.com/julieTa58407536
https://www.facebook.com/livingwithlongcovid/
https://www.instasgram.com/julietaylor9545
https://amzn.eu/d/9v9MP4v
https://amzn.eu/d/1QVK8zn - Return to work planner
https://amzn.eu/d/a1Safxc - well-being planner
https://www.julie-t.com/ - Julie Taylor life coaching website
Long Covid Clinic (Julie Taylor & Dr Binita Kane - contact; longcovidclinic@howellmedicalgroup.co.uk for more information

As requested by those of you who follow me on social media, in this episode of the podcast I am sharing my experience so far, of using a fitted vagus nerve stimulator (VNS). I have aimed to answer all of the questions you guys asked me. I have given some information on the VNS, how it is fitted, what it does and how I am finding it at this point, including any symptom improvement.
I touch upon alternatives for stimulating the vagus nerve and what the suggested benefits are with using vagus nerve stimulation.
I feel positive, and I hope this episode of the podcast is useful for you.  As always #onedayatatime take care, see you on the next podcast.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
My Links:
https://linktr.ee/joulest
https://twitter.com/julieTa58407536
https://www.facebook.com/livingwithlongcovid/
https://www.instasgram.com/julietaylor9545
https://amzn.eu/d/9v9MP4v
https://amzn.eu/d/1QVK8zn - Return to work planner
https://amzn.eu/d/a1Safxc - well-being planner
https://www.julie-t.com/ - Julie Taylor life coaching website
Long Covid Clinic (Julie Taylor & Dr Binita Kane - contact; longcovidclinic@howellmedicalgroup.co.uk for more information

In this episode of the podcast I talk with Kevin Digby and Rachel Hext following the High court hearing on the 6th March 2024. Kevin is a partner at GA Solicitors and is representing nearly 70 healthcare workers with Long Covid taking the NHS and other employers to court.
Many healthcare workers are living with the disabling consequences of Long Covid after working on the frontline, with inadequate, incorrect or no PPE (personal protective equipment).
We discuss the day in court and the outcome from the 6th March 2024, Kevin explains what this means going forward and what can be expected from the hearing in October 2024.
Rachel explains how she felt being in the court that day, why she advocates for herself and others with Long Covid, we touch upon her experience with the media and both positive and negative public opinion.
I asked Kevin if it is too late for other healthcare workers to contact him, he explains it is not and why, please use the details below if you would like to contact Kevin.
A huge thank you to Kevin and Rachel, and thank you for listening to the podcast, as always #onedayatatime, take care. 

Links from todays episode:
Kevin.Digby@gasolicitors.com - please include your telephone number when contacting Kevin
https://gasolicitors.com/our-people/kevin-digby/
https://wwwlinkedin.com/in/kevin-digby-2321232
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GAsolicitors
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ga-solicitors
X: https://twitter.com/GASolicitors
My Links:
https://linktr.ee/joulest
https://twitter.com/julieTa58407536
https://www.facebook.com/livingwithlongcovid/
https://www.instasgram.com/julietaylor9545
https://amzn.eu/d/9v9MP4v
https://amzn.eu/d/1QVK8zn - Return to work planner
https://amzn.eu/d/a1Safxc - well-being planner
https://www.julie-t.com/ - Julie Taylor life coaching website
Long Covid Clinic (Julie Taylor & Dr Binita Kane - contact; longcovidclinic@howellmedicalgroup.co.uk for more information

In this episode of the podcast, I am grateful to have two fantastic guests join me, Professor Louise Cummings is a professor at the Hong Kong polytechnic university, she conducts research on language and communication disorders and is the author and editor of over 20 books in this area. Kerry Davies is a returning guest, a fellow advocate and nurse who lives with Long Covid and the language and communication disorders associated. We discuss language and communications disorders, the research Louise is undertaking, how communication effects the person, their working life, personal life and how adaptations can support an effective return to work. We discuss the research Louise has undertaken to date, her findings and ongoing research in this area.
I hope you enjoy this episode, take care and as always #onedayatatime

Links from this episode:
Office of national statistics:
Number of economically inactive people due to long-term sickness in the United Kingdom from May 1993 to July 2023
 https://www.statista.com/statistics/1388245/uk-sick-leave-figures/

Full study article: Cognitive - linguistic difficulties adults with Long Covid: A follow up study
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949903823000325

Infograph: Cognitive - linguistic difficulties adults with Long Covid: A follow up study 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ymz_yNrwyQrcoE7lGRwfN_QC7D_6kKwX/view
My Links:
https://linktr.ee/joulest
https://twitter.com/julieTa58407536
https://www.facebook.com/livingwithlongcovid/
https://www.instasgram.com/julietaylor9545
https://amzn.eu/d/9v9MP4v
https://amzn.eu/d/1QVK8zn - Return to work planner
https://amzn.eu/d/a1Safxc - well-being planner
https://www.julie-t.com/ - Julie Taylor life coaching website
Long Covid Clinic (Julie Taylor & Dr Binita Kane - contact; longcovidclinic@howellmedicalgroup.co.uk for more information

Over the last couple of weeks you may have seen in the news,  Dr Fearnley and the group she co-founded Long Covid Doctors for action; If not, these are a group of doctors who have come together to take action against the NHS negligent work place exposure. They are being represented by Bond Turner.
Today, I am fortunate to be able to talk with Kevin Digby, a partner at GA Solicitors, just to make clear this is a completely separate legal firm to Bond Turner. However
Kevin explains, GA Solicitors have been supporting and representing healthcare workers, due to the negligent exposure for the last couple of years, and are quite far on in this process.
Kevin and I discuss what this means for healthcare workers and others in a Q&A, covering how this process works, who it covers, what it means for those effected, appropriate PPE and dispelling myths around timescale for raising a claim. This is an interesting and informative episode, should you wish to speak with Kevin or find out more information please use the links below.
Thank you for joining me on today's podcast as always #onedayatatime, Take care.

Links from todays episode:
Kevin.Digby@gasolicitors.com - please include your telephone number when contacting Kevin
https://gasolicitors.com/our-people/kevin-digby/
https://wwwlinkedin.com/in/kevin-digby-2321232
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GAsolicitors
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ga-solicitors
X: https://twitter.com/GASolicitors
 
My Links:
https://linktr.ee/joulest
https://twitter.com/julieTa58407536
https://www.facebook.com/livingwithlongcovid/
https://www.instasgram.com/julietaylor9545
https://amzn.eu/d/9v9MP4v
https://amzn.eu/d/1QVK8zn - Return to work planner
https://amzn.eu/d/a1Safxc - well-being planner
https://www.julie-t.com/ - Julie Taylor life coaching website
Long Covid Clinic (Julie Taylor & Dr Binita Kane - contact; longcovidclinic@howellmedicalgroup.co.uk for more information

On this episode of the podcast I discuss invisible disability, and how a Ted talk I recently had  sent to my inbox, had such an impact on me. I watched the Ted talk and could relate to Dr Amrita Sen Mutherjee  experience of living with her own invisible disability. I resonated with her experience of having her condition diagnosed, and the subsequent impact to her life, family life and career.
UK Parliament estimate 70 to 80% of disability is invisible, which made me consider why invisibility is still fuelled with stigma, judgement and disregard, this appears to be historic and although experienced by people with Long Covid, would appear to effect many people living with invisible disability.
I don't have the answer to the "why" however I do feel we can collectively, the advocacy groups, charities and individual advocates can continue to raise awareness, educate and make the invisible, visible. The aim of this podcast is to open conversation about invisible disability, its short but relevant #onedayatatime

Links:
Dr Amrita Sen Mukherjee - Ted talk: Invisible disability; challenging bias to enable change
https://youtu.be/Ro3SbU95qwc?si=Diw-6RbqQXiuezCt

Equality Act 2010
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/equality-act-2010-guidance
My Links:
https://linktr.ee/joulest
https://twitter.com/julieTa58407536
https://www.facebook.com/livingwithlongcovid/
https://www.instasgram.com/julietaylor9545
https://amzn.eu/d/9v9MP4v
https://amzn.eu/d/1QVK8zn - Return to work planner
https://amzn.eu/d/a1Safxc - well-being planner
https://www.julie-t.com/ - Julie Taylor life coaching website
Long Covid Clinic (Julie Taylor & Dr Binita Kane - contact; longcovidclinic@howellmedicalgroup.co.uk for more information