Hello everyone.
In 2000, aged 19 at the time, I started my first proper job since I left high school in 1998, at a place called Orwell Mencap Genesis, based in Ipswich, in Suffolk. I went there to do office-based computer work, before doing other jobs such as Art & Craft, pottery, cookery, gardening and woodwork. My workplace catered for people with various disabilities, including autism.
There was one aspect of my time there that surprised and delighted me in equal measure - massage therapy. From the very second I knew that massage treatments were taking place, I absolutely had to check it out for myself. As with any treatment, I had to ensure that I had no injuries, illnesses or anything else that required the masseuse's attention. I had a back massage session, sometimes known as a Swedish back massage. Because both the masseuse and myself were working at Orwell Mencap Genesis, I was entitled to free treatments, which was a nice gesture.
I loved the experience so much, that I had the same treatment every week. In late 2000, I met a masseuse named Johanna (there were two or three masseuses working at the time giving various treatments). She gave me the vast majority of my back massage treatments, and she became one of the best and most supportive friends I ever met. In my school days, making friends was hard to come by due to my fellow pupils' allegedly noisy, disruptive behaviour, but thanks to Johanna and my other work colleagues, I felt so much better and more confident in life.
In 2003, Johanna left Orwell Mencap Genesis to do other things, and the massage service closed down. I felt really upset and devastated as a result. I even considered leaving myself because I missed her so much as a friend of hers, yet I somehow plucked up the courage to carry on working.
In October 2012, I went to a department store in Ipswich, in Suffolk, to buy a new wallet after my old one got broken. As I went outside, I was putting my shopping away, but to my absolute astonishment and surprise, I met Johanna for what was the first time in 9 1/2 years. As I was getting her contact details, with permission, I was even more astonished to find she was doing a reflexology setvice. I missed her so much for all those years, especially as I lost touch with her. I felt like a lottery winner, I was that delighted.
As of this moment, my friend Johanna currently provides me, and my mum, with roughly two reflexology treatments per month at my house, and I keep in touch with her. Isn't it amazing how one massage treatment of any description can make me, or anyone else, feel so much better in life? Having attended an autism conference in my area, I believe that some people are sensitive to touch, in which case massage treatments would be a bit unsuitable for them.
Have any of you had any experiences of massage therapy? I would love to share my story with you.
