Tonight I attanded a class and met a man I'd never met before. He was obviously suffering from some problem with his shoulder and was suffering from significantly reduced mobility. When I had an opportunity I explained that I was a Reflexologist and that the reflex point for the shoulder was near his little finger. I asked if he'd had something removed. He said he'd had surgery to remove a tumour. I said if he gently rubbed the reflex point on his hand it would help. He said, with a laugh, that he saw a physio twice a week who did that for him.

At the end of the class an hour later, I saw him again and as I left I called over, "Keep doing your hand!", to which he replied, "Nah. I'll leave that to someone else." I left without replying......

Over the next half hour, my emotions have gone from fuming to irritated to sad. Having gone through the trauma of having a tumour removed, I'd have thought anyone would be only to eagre to help themselves. After all, who's tumour was it? And who's recovery is it? The physiotherapist?

I could go on and vent my frustration, but what would that solve? I guess all we can do as therapists is help those who are willing to help themselves whilst the overworked, overstretched NHS professionals have to care for those that don't