Mr Beedassy, an osteoarthritis patient, was referred to the self management uk programme via his GP.
After four operations on his knee, Mr Beedassy was often bedbound and relied on his Zimmer frame and crutches to move around. He also suffered from diabetes, taking daily insulin injections and tablets. Mr Beedassy found it difficult to control his diabetes, regardless of his food intake, diet and weight management, but he was optimistic that the self-management course could provide him with the tools to manage his long-term condition better.
Mr Beedassy attended six three-hour weekly sessions of the self-management course. He said it was an “eye-opener”. “When I heard everyone’s health stories, it hit me that other people with the same condition were so positive and motivated even with their condition, whereas I just gave up,” he added.
The self-management course encourages people with long-term conditions to create action plans to improve their health and overcome barriers and difficulties they may be having. , It teaches practical tools and skills, which helps people manage their condition better. . Moreover, courses offer people with long-term conditions a chance to engage with others in a similar situation, giving them space to share, learn, motivate and inspire one another.
Encouragement and inspiration have been crucial for Mr Beedassy, who decided to be more proactive in managing his condition better. “Why do I wait for people to tell me what to do? Why don’t I just do something for myself?,” he questioned himself. With a new boost of motivation, Mr Beedassy had a “strong belief” that soon he would be able to walk unaided and manage his pain and his diabetes better.
Mr Beedassy said he now incorporates the breathing techniques he learnt from the course in his daily activities, such as praying. The breathing techniques make him feel calmer. He also manages his medication a lot better. “I am very organised with taking them,” he explained.
His efforts paid off and at the last session of the course Mr Beedassy confidently walked in without any aid. “The self-management programme increased my motivation in life. I’m positive and have a positive attitude to life,” he concluded.
