At the start of the year when I had the intention to send this monthly newsletter, I compiled a list of inspirational people who I thought I would write about. This month, it feels appropriate to honour the brave and inspiring Vicky Phelan.
As we watch to see what country will win the World Cup, I include a personal note about trying to win the World Cup of hip replacements.
Thanks for the good wishes, jokes, book and TV recommendations that are keeping me going as I recover.
Sinead
A number of years ago, some students and I were working on understanding the concept of critical thinking. We discussed Vicky Phelan as an example of someone who used critical thinking.
She questioned when it wasn’t easy. She challenged authority and experts. She dug deeper than the surface level information she was being given. She did her own research into topics where she was not the expert.
If you read Vicky’s autobiography, you’ll see that she questioned and challenged many things over the course of her life. She showed bravery where many of us would have shied away from controversy and challenge.
She died earlier this month at the age of 48 leaving a legacy that I don’t think we can even fully appreciate yet.
Whilst perhaps most well-known for exposing the cervical cancer screening wrongdoing, she campaigned for the rights of others and added her voice to many issues right the way through her own illness.
A truly inspirational woman, may Vicky rest in peace.
Before, I had hip replacement surgery on 17th October 2022, I was very focussed on priming myself for the best and fastest recovery ever. I was doing regular exercise to strengthen the muscles near the hip joint. I was aware of eating well and stocking up on vitamins and creams all of which would be beneficial for me and ensure I would be Sinead 2.0 as soon as possible after the operation.
Then I had the surgery and came home from hospital ready to get going quickly. I thought I would be driving and going for long walks within a few weeks.
However, I had complications which meant I needed a second surgery on 25th October.
Back in hospital, I felt a bit of a failure. I was deflated.
In the context of the orthopaedic ward in hospital, a 50 year old, not on any regular medication, is considered young and fit. I should have been making a speedy and successful recovery and not dealing with set-back.
Given my pre-surgery physio and preparation, I thought I was going to be the best example ever of a successful hip operation.
Lying in my hospital bed, my mind drifted.
If I were consoling a friend, I’d say things like we don’t always need to win everything, we are not perfect, we’re human and we need to be kind to ourselves and not always expect perfection.
Then I thought, how can I expect my children, my students or anyone I interact with to not pressurise themselves to be “winners” at all costs if the behaviour I’m showing them is that I wanted to be the “winner” of hip replacements.
I started to focus on acceptance.
So now, I’m recovering slowly and I’m not in any race with myself or anyone else to be Sinead 2.0.
In fact, given that I had 2 surgeries, maybe I’m heading towards Sinead 3.0 but at a self-compassionate pace!
“The world is changed by your example, not your opinion.” Paulo Coehlo
“Individuals who are more self-compassionate tend to have greater happiness, life satisfaction and motivation, better relationships and physical health, and less anxiety and depression.”Kristin Neff and Christopher Germer, The Transformative Effects of Mindful Self-Compassion, 2019
“Every sunrise, every sunset, every blessed day. They all count. Every one.” Vicky Phelan
Sinead Huskisson 