When little things are big things

In my experience, disability often means compromise. It means accepting there are some things I can't do. Or, more often, that I can only manage one of multiple things - and so I constantly prioritise and many things just don't happen. And it is almost always the practical that has to be prioritised over the pretty.

Often these are 'little things'. In the wider scheme of things it's not a big deal.

For me one of those little things is my hair. I can't do anything more than the absolute basics with my hair. Holding my hands above shoulder height worsens my PoTS - putting my arms right up in order to do my hair is even worse - and might only be possible for a few seconds at a time - so ponytail it is. And I've just got used to that limitation. The physical cost of doing anything more is so high it's just not a sustainable option.

Anyway, last week I asked my PA to do my hair in 2 french braids. I can't do it myself, but it's a really good hairstyle for me because I can lie on my back or my side really comfortably - it won't annoy my neck, or have lumps that bruise my scalp. Plus, it usually stays in place for a couple of days. And I like how it looks.

So I thoroughly enjoyed actually having an actual hairstyle for 2 1/2 days then decided it had reached the 'too messy' stage and I took it out...

It turns out my not-quite-straight-not-quite-curly hair really liked the wave the braids made, and 2 days on, it's still got that curly bounce! So I've now had 4 days of nice hair, from minimal energy use!

10/10. Would highly recommend. Will do again.

It's only a little thing, but for me, it's kinda big. And really lovely.