Hotel Review: Bond Hotel Blackpool

ScoliosisNutty were invited to review The Bond Hotel in Blackpool as part of the new service we are providing to people with a disability, worldwide. This is our first review and we hope we can do many more in the near future. In conjunction with the Disability Directory we will be adding disability hotels for our members to view. Our lovely Laura Campbell is our resident journalist so she was the most appropriate member of our team to send for a free holiday and report back on her stay with The Bond Hotel. Her review is below, we look forward to your comments.

Walking into the reception of The Bond Hotel on that rainy Friday, I have to admit that I didn't know quite what to expect, but I knew I was interested in spending time in a hotel that provides accessible holidays especially for people who have disabilities and special needs. I've had my fair share of spinal surgeries and have suffered through all sorts of associated pain and problems, but thankfully I've only ever been temporarily disabled by my condition and so I've never had to face what must be the incredibly daunting battle of going on holiday when you have special requirements. So I was compelled to see for myself a specialised, tailor made, disabled establishment.

However, my experience turned out to be a mixed one.

Catching a taxi from Blackpool North train station, we were driven through the bustling bright lights of Blackpool town - past fish and chip shops, brightly coloured arcades, the infamous tower and the re-vamped trams running along the seafront. We also spotted several hen and stag parties stumbling around - a reflection on the town's renowned status as a modern party hotspot.

The further south we drove, the quieter things became and also, unfortunately, the more run-down things started to look. A 10 minute taxi ride and £8 later, we finally arrived at a rather tired looking Bond Hotel. Our stomachs sank.

Despite our first impressions, we were in fact greeted very warmly and the management were more than accommodating, providing us with sandwiches because we arrived after the evening meals had ended. This lovely welcome was extended for the rest of our stay and we were well looked after by friendly, helpful and talkative staff, in particular Graham who made us laugh and made our evening there very entertaining.

However, our tired room reflected the tired exterior of The Bond Hotel - it had unfortunately seen better days and we both felt that this was a big let down. When we opened the door, we were greeted by a small blue room crammed with a double bed and single bed, the wardrobe was a hole in the wall with a tired looking curtain pulled across it, the bathroom door was rather battered and did not lock, the TV did not work and the neglected décor sadly matched the rest of the hotel.

Because nowadays my back is mostly made out of metal, a comfy bed is vital so that I can keep on top of my pain but sadly the bed I slept in was rock solid and I suffered a bit the next day. We were also disappointed with our view; a peeling exterior wall, looking out onto the smoking area, above the kitchen, which, added to the extremely creaky, squeaky floors and neighbouring corridors, made sure we were awake at 6am.We had tea and coffee making facilities and soap but apart from that there were no extras. If we were staying for a week's holiday, as most of the guests were, I'm not sure we could've coped!

However, we did see a positive side to the hotel. As far as disabled accessibility is concerned, I was very impressed with the equipment throughout the hotel; wide corridors; a fully functioning lift; hoists; en suite wet rooms; non-slip floors; shower seats and handles around the toilets, to name but a few. In fact, if I had half of this equipment in my house following my surgeries I think my life (and the lives of those looking after me!) would've been a great deal easier!

As far as food is concerned, it was all pretty basic but nevertheless decent traditional British favourites. Breakfast offered a choice of cereals, fruit juice, tea and coffee and buffet style English breakfasts, and evening meals comprised three generous courses, also served buffet style.

So putting aside the poor quality and comfort of the room, we decided to embrace the whole experience and spent our evening in the hotel function room, getting to know the staff, chatting to guests and taking part in the evening's entertainment. The bar area, which opens up into an equally nice dining area, was well kitted out with themed pictures and decorations, a variety of different chairs to suit everyone's comfort, lights and a dance floor. All staff were first aid trained and had the patience, local knowledge, courtesy and friendliness to be able relate to all guests and their carers and try to include them safely in the evenings entertainment, no matter what mental or physical difficulties they had. And it was this dedication that I think is the hotel's strongest plus point.

So all in all, even though we felt that personally the standard of the room left a lot to be desired and the hotel may not be to everyone's taste or standard, the fact that guests and carers come back year after year is a testament to the management's dedication to provide safe, fun accessible holidays for everyone. The evening we spent there was full of friendly banter and laughter and guests loved the tailored entertainment that was laid on – a variety of cabaret, singing, a disco and party games such as bingo which really got everyone involved; after a glass or two of wine even we were doing the hokey-cokey and shaking it all about!

Come and join in the discussions and share your thoughts on disability hotels around the world on our Facebook page, maybe you have some highs and lows to share too?

Power Plate The Final Session

I promised I would keep you upto date with my progress on the Powerplate and I have now completed my 10 sessions :)

During the last few weeks we started doing the PowerPlate twice weeekly vs once - I started off with once a week because I wasn't sure how my back would feel and going on previous experience in a gym I didn't want to rock the boat too much with something new, however, I have enjoyed the powerplate so much; I was always excited about going!

Our trainer Daisy Mae Scott said that if I do it twice weekly I will notice the benefits more; so after 4 weeks of my training I went on to twice weekly. The training got a little harder and I did find that the first week of doing the powerplate twice a week was a little hard for me as the intensity had also increased and some of the poses felt like my rod was shaking itself to bits!

I did 6 sessions in 3 weeks and now I am taking a week's break before I continue again next week. I must admit I feel stronger and more able. I can now lift myself up while laying on my stomach, before I would have to roll over onto my side and then get onto my knees.


What else have I noticed?
I am more self confident
Stronger in my legs
Stronger in my arms
Less pain from the lower back (discs)
Less cellulite (which is always a bonus)
Leg definition on the upper leg is greater
More energised

I start with the follow on sessions next week, I will be doing Tuesdays and Thursdays every week

Twisted Annual Affari (Second Meeting)

On Saturday 31st March our How To Look Good Twisted Facebook group met in Manchester, Piccadilly for the second meeting of our twisties.

It was all rather hectic, I started my journey with my friend James Fooks from Spain on Thursday 29th March. I was very anxious, nervous and excited for many reasons really, the main one being Chris was not beside me for support which I have always leant on heavily, and if it wasn't for him (who sadly died 11 April 2011) the group would never have been formed.

Secondly, I was about to meet one of the moderators; Laurie Knutowski Skusevich, who had left the previous day to start her journey from the USA across the pond to the UK. I was extremely touched by the reason Laurie decided to join us and travel 4,000 miles! Laurie had told me that one night on her way home from work she had paid particular attention to the moon and Chris came into her thoughts. She had never been to the UK before and felt that due to the sudden death of Chris she felt compelled that night to come and meet me, Laurie said "Chris told her to go and meet his beautiful wife" and there is no better time to do this, especially as the group was also having a meet. 

Laurie arrived friday morning after a very long flight, bang on the dot at 8am. I was all excited so I was up early anyway, pacing around my room, waiting for Laurie to call. We met in the hotel lobby and I cried as soon as we hugged one another, we chatted for a while over a coffee before going up to the room for a lay down; Laurie now needed to try and adjust to UK time and get over her jeg lag! We settled Laurie in and went shopping to buy a present for Janice (also one of the moderators) because we were meeting in a little Italian restaurant at 8pm for a celebration dinner.

During the celebration dinner I decided to have a word with the restaurant manager about using their venue for our twisted meeting, the reaosn for this was because the B Lounge who we originally had chosen were not very accommodating which left me no choice but to try and arrange something more suitable. Bella Italia is a wonderful venue and the staff are amazing, helpful and on the ball, they cornered off an area for the the meeting, giving us enough tables for people to sit, chat and eat. Chris was our concierge (that's what we like to call him anyway!) for the day and made everyone feel at ease, the food was delicious and the portions on the generous side :)

After everyone arrived we all got to know one another and ordered our lunch, I had Bruscheta and Lasagne which was delightful and very filling! The wine that Bella Italia laid on for us for free was flowing well and all our twisties shared, cared and advised one another, the atmosphere was truly stunning.

After lunch everyone had another mingle and then we decided to sign the t-shirt that my Dad had made for the event, supporting the ScoliosisNutty logo :) Everyone present signed the t-shirt which was lovely and is great memorabilia from the day. While the excitement of the signing was going on I found myself talking to the lovely Jayne Bostock; about how we can continue to raise money, Jayne said she would love to do a parachute jump, it is one of the activities she has on her "things to do before I am 40" list. So, this led me to thinking about the next event for the How To Look Good Twisted group, Jayne lives in Stafford and there is an air field near where she lives, this will be the next venue for our twisty meeting and I am looking forward to sponsoring her for this jump!

We managed to raise some money from the members who bought wristbands, keyrings, heat and cool pads and lanyards, thanks for the support to those who bought some of our merchandise, every penny counts towards us having a real charity status :)

Along with our own merchandise we had some information regarding adjustable beds with memory foam from OroMed, a few of our members were interested in these beds as I have been sleeping on one for 6 years.


I am very proud of the moderators who were just as caring and helpful in the flesh as they are online, I take my hat off to every person I have ever met with Scoliosis, one thing we have as a collective is outstanding strength, courage and beauty from the inside out.

It was interesting to see how we all sit in very similar ways, shift about, leaning forward, back and forward again. Something else I noticed was how many of us carried a cushion of some sort to use in the lower back or around the "rib hump" - in fact this common demoniator has led me to my design for a back cushion and the twisty meeting helped me think about that cushion even more to get the ball rolling for production!

On a final note, I would like to thank each and every one of the people who joined us on Saturday 31st March, it was a pleasure to meet you all, I am more inspired after meeting such a strong group of people, thanks for your support and we will continue to support you all as we have done in the past. The photos are on the Facebook group - How To Look Good Twisted if you want to have a look.

Power Plate Part IV

WOW! I can't believe it I have been doing this gym thing now for 4 weeks and my trainer Daisy Hudson is really starting to crack the whip with me and boy oh boy can I feel it!

Now, as I mentioned before with my previous gym efforts, it had all gone very sour by now, simply because I had over strained something and the trainer didn't understand the mechanics of a twisted spine, however, this time round is very, very different. Daisy has listened to my tales of woe regarding my back, tried her best to understand what I can and cannot do due to the Harrington Rod and generally been a great support for my work-outs - I am starting to love it!

As per usual I started off with the Power Plate session which lasts just 20 minutes, Daisy works a lot on my legs during this time and I carry out a lot of squat movements 1of which is a deep squat for 45 seconds - she has me laying on both sides for cellulite which is also a bit of a time out and relaxation. We then do some of the yoga movements I have been doing for many years, such as "The Warrior" pose. Now I am into week 4 the intensity has been moved up slightly and the length of time - we started with 30 seconds per movement and I am now on 45 seconds. I am even doing "girly" push-ups - amazing I can actually even try!

I went to see Daisy on Saturday and while there we got talking about my gym efforts, my main concern was the stomach, all the years of exercising to keep strong core muscles, my stomach has always been left out - it is also the most difficult part on a Scoliosis patient to treat as we struggle with sit-ups - normal push-ups, crunches and the like. So, Daisy got out her gym ball and showed me some small movements I could make using the ball - I managed beyond belief to do small sit-ups and today I can feel it in my stomach (OUCHY hahaha).

When I went back to the gym on Tuesday I wanted to get working on my abs as we had discussed the previous Saturday, so after the Power Plate session Daisy took me over to the "Parallel Abs" machine.

What is the Parallel Abs Machine?
Well, simplu put, it is the best machine for getting rid of the ab fat. Our abdomens are the most sensitive and important part of our bodies. It is the first place where the unwanted fat continues to accumulate.

Anyway, I did as I was told and was surpirsed at how comfortable this machine was for someone with such a straight back, I fitted into the handles nice and was able to bring my legs up to my chest (with knees bent) for 25 repetitions. I didn't do these reps all at once, I did 12, stopped and then did a further 10, stopped and fitted in the extra 3 at the end :)

Gym Ball & Sit Ups
Along with all this other exciting exercise I also had another go with a gym ball. I laid back on the ball and shifted forward until the arch of my back and knees were comfortbale. I then raised my neck and head as if I were holding an orange under my chin before laying back down again. I managed to 45 of these in repetitions of 15, a 30 second wait, followed by the next 15. This is what I can feel in my stomach muscles today and I have to say I love the feeling of knowing I am doing some good to my core muslces and hope I can strengthen some lower back tissue while I am at it! Along with the sit ups I did another movement with the ball where I sat down straight (not hard for many twisties hehehe), head up and then raised my leg out straight, swapped legs and raised, in repetitions of 20 - I did this 4 times managing to achieve 80 of these movements (40 per leg).




So, after all that I hear you wonder what pains I am getting as a result of this? Well last week I did feel some shooting pains in the lumbar (which to be fair is nothing new for me anyway), I think this was a direct result of the sitting down movement I did on the Power Plate without a cushion for support - this week we had a cushion and those pains have ceased. Natutrally my legs ache from the training and my arms a little too - I am very weak in my upper body so I hope this will improve. I do feel much better in overall health, dare I say a little sprightly at times? I was expecting some stiffness when I got up from chairs but so far fingers crossed this has not happened. Long may this continue and I will keep writing about the experiences of the gym, power plate, yoga and a gym ball!

Perhaps a twisty really can conquer the world?

A Fellow Scoliotic Starts Local Charity in Kenya for youths

A few years ago I started talking a lovely guy called Sammy Etale, who lives in Kenya. He discovered he had Scoliosis and contacted me via the website, I tried my best to advise him on how to manage his Scoliosis and the pains he was experiencing. In March this year Sammy contacted me again and I was delighted with the news he had for me

"I am glad to inform you that I have started my own charity organization"

I was so pleased for Sammy and for the Scoliosis community around the World, it makes me warm and fuzzy on the inside to know there really are some amazing people out there doing exceptional work for others in pain, while suffering themselves!

I would like to personally congratulate Sammy in his quest for helping the youths of Kenya in learning a new trade. You are an inspiration my friend, good luck with your project. Simone Icough

Sammy Etale's Story (told by him)
My name is Sammy Etale 26 years old from Western Kenya in Africa. I suffered scoliosis 5 years ago while I  was 20 years old, the condition affected me adversely. I tried different types of medication but it couldn’t help. I was admitted to Eldoret Referral hospital and the radiologist reported spinal cord complications due to scoliosis. I was given remedial measures such as cossets and other stuff that would help straighten my back.   At this point I had completely become paraplegic, I left hospital in a wheel chair!

This was a deep shock for me because I did not expect that. After being released from hospital I could not go back to the city (Nairobi) to continue with my Diploma in architecture ( the college does not have the infrastructure for wheelchairs).  My  life came to a standstill. I spent four years indoors doing nothing actually, then one day as I was doing some research  on the internet and I came across Simone Icough (who also had scoliosis ). Simone gave me advice on how to manage my scoliosis, she also sent me Yoga scans along with instructions on how to do some of the exercises. These exercises have made my back strong as in I can now sit and work for longer hours without getting tired unlike before.

I did the exercises for around six months and I felt a big difference in my body. After discovering that my back was stronger I had to do something with myself instead of idling in the house all day. I have a great interest in computers and electronics. Many youths in Kenya are computer illiterate and do not have a clue in the information technology. I ventured into this worthy course. To teach unfortunate youths in the village basic computer skills on a voluntary basis. I started teaching the youths in my home. Many youths were delighted by the knowledge and started attending in large many numbers.

After this I had to search for a different building outside my home for the privacy of our family. I found a building some five miles from my home. At this place I have encouraged many youths to take up computer classes and the response has been overwhelming, since I started the program eight months ago I have taught 17 youths computer skills. Those who have  successfully completed  the course have moved to bigger towns to search for jobs in the information technology sector. Others have started small businesses of their own that deal with typesetting, printing, and book keeping. This has made me proud of myself and it is what keeps me going.  

Challenges They are some challenges that I go through day to day when I am running my program, they include
the number of youths that want to join the classes is too big while the machines are few ( 4 computers) to cater for all.

The building that I have rented is small; it only accommodates four students per lesson of two hours. I am the only instructor and I have to teach for 8 hours a day. I need to hire two instructors who can assist me in teaching.

Summary
My program started as a hobby I love computers and now it is having a great impact in this rural village. I appeal for anyone willing to support me in this program to join hands with me and together we will eradicate illiteracy and poverty among the jobless and unfortunate youths in this part of the world. 

Any support is welcome,
Email Sammy Etale

AIS - Environment, Exposome & Epigenetics

ScoliosisJournal.com recently reviewed the following scenario:
Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis, environment, exposome and epigenetics: a molecular perspective of postnatal normal spine growth and the etiopathogenesis of AIS with consideration of a network approach and possible implicatins for medical therapy.

Authors: R Geoffrey Burwell, Peter H Dangerfield, Alan Moulton and Theodoros B Grivas
Author Affiliations:
Centre for Spinal Studies and Surgery, Nottingham University Hospitals Trust, Queen's Medical Centre Campus, Derby Road, Nottingham, NG7 2UH, UK
University of Liverpool, Ashton Street, L69 3GE, UK
Staffordshire University, Leek Road, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 2DF, UK
Royal Liverpool Children's Hospital, Eaton Road, Liverpool, L12 2AP, UK
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, King's Mill Hospital, Sutton Road, Mansfield NG17 4JL, UK
Department of Trauma and Orthopedics, "Tzanio" General Hospital, Tzani and Afendouli 1 st, Piraeus 18536, Greece

AbstractGenetic factors are believed to play an important role in the etiology of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). Discordant findings for monozygotic (MZ) twins with AIS show that environmental factors including different intrauterine environments are important in etiology, but what these environmental factors may be is unknown. Recent evidence for common chronic non-communicable diseases suggests epigenetic differences may underlie MZ twin discordance, and be the link between environmental factors and phenotypic differences. DNA methylation is one important epigenetic mechanism operating at the interface between genome and environment to regulate phenotypic plasticity with a complex regulation across the genome during the first decade of life. The word exposome refers to the totality of environmental exposures from conception onwards, comprising factors in external and internal environments. The word exposome is used here also in relation to physiologic and etiopathogenetic factors that affect normal spinal growth and may induce the deformity of AIS. In normal postnatal spinal growth we propose a new term and concept, physiologic growth-plate exposome for the normal processes particularly of the internal environments that may have epigenetic effects on growth plates of vertebrae.

In AIS, we propose a new term and concept pathophysiologic scoliogenic exposome for the abnormal processes in molecular pathways particularly of the internal environment currently expressed as etiopathogenetic hypotheses; these are suggested to have deforming effects on the growth plates of vertebrae at cell, tissue, structure and/or organ levels that are considered to be epigenetic. New research is required for chromatin modifications including DNA methylation in AIS subjects and vertebral growth plates excised at surgery. In addition, consideration is needed for a possible network approach to etiopathogenesis by constructing AIS diseasomes. These approaches may lead through screening, genetic, epigenetic, biochemical, metabolic phenotypes and pharmacogenomic research to identify susceptible individuals at risk and modulate abnormal molecular pathways of AIS.

The potential of epigenetic-based medical therapy for AIS cannot be assessed at present, and must await new research derived from the evaluation of epigenetic concepts of spinal growth in health and deformity. The tenets outlined here for AIS are applicable to other musculoskeletal growth disorders including infantile and juvenile idiopathic scoliosis.

IntroductionThe principal aim of this paper is to examine the etiopathogenesis of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) from the standpoint of epigenetics. To our knowledge this has not previously been addressed. Epigenetics, a relatively recent field now vast and vigorous, evaluates factors concerned with gene expression in relation to environment, disease, normal development and aging, with a complex regulation across the genome during the first decade of life. Butcher and Beck describe epigenetics as follows:

"Although environmental measures are logical covariants for genotype-phenotype investigations, another non-genetic intermediary exists: epigenetics. Epigenetics is the analysis of somatically-acquired and, in some cases, transgenerationally inherited epigenetic modifications that regulate gene expression, and offers to bridge the gap between genetics and environment to understand phenotype. The most widely studied epigenetic mark is DNA methylation. Aberrant methylation at gene promoters is strongly implicated in disease etiology, most notably cancer."

There is controversy relating to the definition of epigenetics which we outline. Taking the broad definition, a view of AIS etiopathogenesis and normal spinal development is presented from an epigenetic standpoint, predicated on a model for other diseases.

To read the full story about Environment, Exposome & Epigenetics from ScoliosisJournal then you can view it on their website

Power Plate Part II & III

As some of you know I started with the Power Plate 3 weeks ago (February 28th 2012) and I am loving it! I feel fitter and my body is toning which is what I need the most, I do not particularly need to lose weight as I dropped 2 stone when Chris (my husband) died in April 2011. I do have some flabby skin which I don't like though so I want that to look better - getting ready for the beach weather - operation bikini!

Last week I could feel I had done work on the power plate for 2 days afterwards, however, today I am feeling sprightly and cannot tell that I have worked out at all, the story could well be different tomorrow, will I be able to get out of bed!?

Daisy from BodyBeautiful is doing a combination exercise regime with me, which includes weight loss, cellulite and toning, so we have done lots of leg work these past 2 weeks. I hate the tops of my legs so I am looking forward to seeing the transformation after 10 weeks of the power plate. I am finding that holding my position for 30-45 seconds is working out well for my twisted body :) I can sometimes feel my rod rattle in certain positions, this doesn't hurt, it just makes me chuckle!

Today I did a movement where I am sat on my bottom, legs bent at the knees, arms out in front of me and then hold this for 30 seconds (as per the image on the left) - this one is very strange as it vibrates straight up through your bottom and is one of the weirdest feelings I have ever felt when working out!

As well as the power plate I have also been doing 20 minutes on the elliptical trainer machine which is a stationary exercise machine used to simulate stair climbing, walking or running without causing excessive pressure to the joints, hence decreasing the risk of impact injuries. For this reason, people with some injuries are able to use an elliptical to stay fit, as the low impact affects them little.

I find this machine does work for me also, however, after 20 minutes on the power plate followed by 20 minutes on the elliptical machine my donor site gets aggravated and starts to pulsate, threatening to go into spasm basically, so I only did 10 minutes today and I feel fine as I write this post, in fact I even did some skipping about the house when I got back home - this exercise is lifting me and making me feel good from the inside out - it is nice to have finally found something that doesn't hurt me!

Elliptical trainers offer a non-impact cardiovascular workout that can vary from light to high intensity based on the speed of the exercise and the resistance preference set by the user, I have my setting on P3, I do this for 10-20 minutes.

Most elliptical trainers work the user's upper and lower body (although some models do not have moving upper body components). Though elliptical trainers are considered to be minimal-impact, they are an example of a weight-bearing form of exercise. They can be self-powered by user-generated motion or need to be plugged in for adjustment of motion and/or for supplying their electronic consoles and resistance systems.

Thanks to Daisy for her patience and for listening to me when I say it hurts my body, you have been an amazing trainer so far - let's keep up the good work together!