From My Bed, I Built a Lifeline:

From My Bed, I Built a Lifeline:

When I ran a helpline during the years I was bedbound, I came across far too many women from all over the world calling me for help, support, and simply someone to listen.

Some were pregnant with their first child. Others their sixth or seventh. Many had been abandoned.

I listened, comforted, reassured, and helped them navigate systems that often seemed impossible to access.

One woman's story has stayed with me all these years. She was pregnant with her sixth or seventh child. Her husband had left her. She was alone, disabled, in pain, caring for multiple children, and had no support network around her.

I helped her explore what support might be available, including carers, adult social services, advocacy referrals, and local assistance. I wrote supporting letters and helped signpost her to services that could make a difference.

All whilst I was bedbound and housebound myself, living with permanent Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction (SPD) and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome.

These stories stay with you.

Because I wasn't just reading statistics. I was hearing the fear in people's voices. I was hearing women who had been abandoned by partners, let down by services, isolated from friends and family, and cut off from information that could genuinely improve their quality of life.

One of the most important things I learned was how many people simply weren't being told that specialist physiotherapy could help. At the time, I spent countless hours researching accredited women's health physiotherapists and manual therapy techniques that could help realign and stabilise the pelvis.

I made it my mission to ensure that information was available to anyone who needed it.

Sometimes the phone would ring at all hours.

But I was confined to a bed anyway, so if someone needed me, I answered.

Today, my pain management is much better than it once was. Research and treatment options have also progressed. There are now surgical procedures available for some people with severe, long-term pelvic instability, although I haven't kept up with every development and would love to learn more about current availability and costs.

We also raised funds over the years to help women access physiotherapy and support they otherwise couldn't afford.

And honestly?

I have no regrets.

From a hospital bed and a housebound life, I helped countless women and families find information, support, hope, and practical solutions.

Even at my worst, I was still helping others.

And every single day, I'm proud of that.

Sarah Wingfield ❤️✨ Independent Disability Advocate Founder, PGP and SPD Support UK

#SPD #PelvicGirdlePain #SymphysisPubisDysfunction #DisabilityAdvocate #PregnancySupport #WomensHealth #EhlersDanlosSyndrome #ChronicPain #Accessibility #AdvocacyMatters #SupportMatters

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