by Alex, 13

Hey I’m Alex and I’m 13-years-old. I have a dislocated shoulder. I first dislocated my shoulder in November while I was in a football game for my team. I landed on it funny and it came out. When my shoulder spasms it dislocates and puts itself back in on its own really fast and it’s not a really nice experience to be honest.

At the moment I go up to UCH (University College Hospital) once a week and I have physio. I have OT (occupational therapy). My biggest problem is sleeping as after physio it’s really painful and spasms a lot more. To cope with the pain I use lots of different forms of distraction like seeing my friends, watching films and going on the computer. But seeing my friends is kinda of the big one.

I go to a school as much as I can but because I have trouble sleeping I find it quite hard to go in but the hospital school couldn’t be more helpful. They help you with your school work and they also help me integrate back into school which I found quite hard at the beginning.

I would say to anyone who has a problem to not give up and try and think positive as often as you can. They’re so many more problems out there it’s just a shoulder and it doesn’t seem like a big deal.

This story may have been edited by Children First for Health for editorial and confidentiality reasons only.

For more help and information:

• Visit our A-Z conditions section in Teens First for Health

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