If you’re anything like me, there are times when I would rather be on my own. This is particularly true when recovery seems an endless struggle and my confidence of ever feeling better wanes. The paradox of such isolation is realising what I actually crave is connection with humanity.

My mentor has helped me enormously, however more recently I’ve discovered how she has helped me keep connected with the SWV family. While I was an in-patient at the Bethlem Royal Hospital having intensive treatment, I came to realise that keeping in touch with my mentor under the banner of SWV and having a good natter for an hour once a fortnight has kept me very much engaged with her, our ongoing work, but also the wider SWV family.

This connection has allowed me to reflect on the good friends I’ve made, the laughs we’ve all had, and appreciate the support we enjoy from our committee members and fantastic sponsors. I’ve picked up my phone and spoken to some of you and even some of you have visited me (Scotty bought me some grapes).

So what I hear you say!

Well, all this keeps me connected with the people I value most and helps prevent me reverting to the familiar coping strategy of isolation. SWV, the mentoring system, and the pain management clinic have made such a positive difference to my recovery. This connection needs commitment on my behalf too and my mentor understands this and encourages me in this direction.

So if you are feeling a little too much on the periphery, start by sending a veteran, a buddy or someone else you know a text. Make that connection. It might make you ski faster too.