Springbok Home Physio

30/04/2026

This is such valuable advice—not only for those with a diagnosed health condition, but also for anyone feeling overwhelmed. It’s a good reminder to look after ourselves and each other. Thinking especially of all the amazing "unpaid" carers out there 💛

11/04/2026

Today, 11 April, is World Parkinson’s Day 💙
We’ve just celebrated Easter… It sometimes feels like there’s always something or someone to celebrate these days as time moves so fast! That can be exciting—but for someone living with a neurological condition, it can also feel a bit overwhelming at times.
Days like today are a gentle reminder that while life is busy, not everyone experiences it in the same way.

I think Parkinson’s might be one of the fastest-growing neurological conditions in the world - affecting movement, mood, and many aspects of daily life.

Let’s take a moment to be a little more aware, a little more patient, and a little more understanding of what people around us might be going through.
⭐️ Awareness matters. Compassion matters.

If you’d like to learn more about symptoms and how Parkinson’s affects people, here’s a helpful resource:

Many people think of Parkinson’s as shaking (tremor) or slowness of movement (bradykinesia). But Parkinson’s is a highly individual condition, and there are a huge number of other symptoms that a person with Parkinson’s can experience. Below is a full list of known symptoms, followed by more d...

08/03/2026

Springbok Home Physio - physio with kindness, in the comfort of your own home/ care home.

08/03/2026

Happy Women's Day! Keep going🤗

Behind many physiotherapists are women who helped shape their path into the profession.

For International Women’s Day, CSP student members talk about the women who influenced their decision to study physiotherapy.

Who shaped your journey into the profession? We’d love to hear in the comments.

🔗 Read their stories: https://ow.ly/Pw6f50Yq8Ew

08/03/2026

I do believe I'm a 'yellow' soul and a cheerleader at heart! However, life can be hard and I feel more grey these days. But I will keep shining through the cracks! We can do it!💫🧑‍⚕️

Sharing this for all the yellow souls I am lucky enough to meet these days.

If this is for you, drop a 💛🙏🏻

Donna ###x

27/02/2026

February 28 – Rare Disease Day: More than you can imagine! 🌍

Today is Rare Disease Day – the international day for rare diseases, which takes place every year on the last day of February. It stands for more awareness, understanding, and justice for the more than 300 million people worldwide who live with a rare disease.

We often struggle for years with nonspecific symptoms and delayed diagnosis – a familiar problem with Pompe disease as well.

📣 Why is Rare Disease Day so important?

Although each individual rare disease is rare, the totality of all rare diseases affects millions of people worldwide. Many affected individuals experience:

• long journeys to diagnosis

• inadequate treatment options

• insufficient public visibility

• challenges in work, education, and everyday life

Rare Disease Day creates a collective voice to highlight this reality and bring about real change – whether in research, healthcare, or social perception.

Here are some ways to get involved in this years campain:

1. Share a photo: express your support for those living with rare diseases in your community by sharing a photo with painted hands on social media. Use the hashtag and tag .

2. Use crucial rare disease statistics to convey to the media that while each disease may be rare, collectively, they impact a vast number of people.

300 million people worldwide live with a rare disease.

There are over 6000 different rare diseases.

72% of rare diseases are genetic.

70% of these genetic rare diseases begin in childhood.

📌 What can you do?

👉 Share this post to raise awareness 📢

👉 Use the official hashtags:

👉 Tell your story or support people with rare diseases.

Why is this important?

• Because rare means that doctors don't always think of it right away – and you become an expert on your own life.

• Because rare means that every good tip, every recommendation, and every network is worth its weight in gold.

• Because rare means that invisible things can still hurt – and help doesn't have to be “visible” first.

• Because rare means you have to explain a lot – at work, to your family, to your friends.

22/02/2026

Another type of ataxia (only slightly less rare) is Friedreich’s ataxia.
Friedreich’s ataxia (FA) is an inherited condition that causes ataxia due to degeneration of the spinal cord and peripheral nerves. It usually begins in childhood or adolescence and progresses slowly but steadily over time. FA can also be associated with heart disease and, in some cases, diabetes.
Supportive care — including physiotherapy, of course — can make a huge difference in helping individuals manage symptoms and maintain independence, just as with the other forms of ataxia.

19/02/2026

Just do what you can on ANY day! With or without a health condition...😉

19/02/2026

Rare Disease Day is coming up on 28/2 💜
A few days ago I tried to raise awareness about one type of ataxia — Gluten Ataxia and I hope you had time to listen to the podcasts. Another type, which for me is very close to home, is Spino-Cerebellar Ataxia (SCA).

SCA is a group of genetic neurological conditions that affect the cerebellum — the part of the brain responsible for coordination, balance, and movement. There are many different types of SCA, and researchers are still discovering new ones, so even specialists refer to them by numbers (SCA1, SCA2, SCA3, etc.) and I'm not sure to what number they are...
Common features of SCA can include:
• Poor coordination and balance
• Unsteady walking or frequent falls
• Slurred speech
• Difficulty with fine motor skills (buttons, writing, etc.)
• Eye movement problems
• Fatigue and muscle stiffness
Symptoms often worsen gradually over time, and because it is genetic, it can affect multiple members of the same family.

Living with or loving someone with a rare condition can feel isolating, but awareness really does help. The more people understand, the more support, research, and hope there will be! 🤩

16/02/2026

Ataxia, a neurological condition that affects coordination, balance, and speech, is rare and often misunderstood.
There are many different types of ataxia, and while some may appear more severe than others, the reality is that living with any form of ataxia is incredibly challenging.
The impact varies from person to person, but no one’s experience is “easy.”
One form that doesn’t get enough attention is Gluten Ataxia.

Most people have at least heard of Coeliac disease and understand that it’s managed with a strict gluten-free diet. But Gluten Ataxia is different. It’s an autoimmune condition where the body reacts to gluten by attacking parts of the brain — particularly the cerebellum, which controls balance and coordination.
Because it’s less well known, people can struggle to:
* Get properly diagnosed
* Understand the neurological impact
* Access appropriate support
* Learn how strict the gluten-free diet truly needs to be

For many, managing Gluten Ataxia can feel like navigating a mystery without a map.
That’s why education matters. Hearing real experiences, expert insights, and lived perspectives can make an enormous difference. Podcasts are a powerful way to build understanding — especially for those newly diagnosed, family members trying to support a loved one, or even healthcare professionals wanting to learn more.
Knowledge is power.

Please listen to this podcast about Gluten Ataxia: http://spotlightonhealth.uk

The more we understand about conditions like Gluten Ataxia, the better we can support those living with it — and advocate for awareness, research, and compassionate care.