For some, having a disability may not be something one can fully embrace, but it could be something one can strive to live with. Disabilities bring forth emotional and logistical challenges that will affect the disabled’s life as well as the people living with him or her. It would be very easy to just succumb to the sadness and frustration that comes with a disability. So the earlier you are able to accept and implement adjustments in your lifestyle, the easier coping with the disability challenges will be.
Adjustments In Daily Life
Disability forces one to make changes in their daily routine. There might be a need to do structural changes at home such as building ramps for easy access or transferring rooms for practical reasons. If you choose to continue living in your old home, you may require home services for housecleaning, yard services, grocery and meal deliveries, the services of a caregiver to help in personal grooming or a nurse for administering medications and monitoring of general health. If you are able to continue working you might need to transfer jobs or residence. Assistive devices might have to be installed and location of living devices such toothbrush, glasses, etc. might have to be adjusted.
Living Arrangements
If living in and managing your own home is no longer feasible, you might have to think of having new living arrangements, caregiving services, continued medication or rehabilitation. You will have to acquire the list of accredited facilities that could take your case.
Sources of Income or Financial Support
Many disabled individuals are able to continue working without requiring a lot of special accommodations from their employers. If you are not able to do the job anymore, you can discuss it with your employer or a vocational rehabilitation counselor who could help you train for another job.
The law provides protection for disabled workers against discrimination in employment so that if they are qualified to do the work, they should be hired and they will be qualified to enjoy benefits that are due to disabled employees under the law.
Effectual Communication
A disability can cause the individual to become withdrawn and shun any type of socialization and communication. It is okay to just let the individual be as they could still be starting to get their bearings, trying to answer questions in their head or working their way to coming to terms with this sudden and totally unfamiliar situation. This behavior may even be welcomed by the family members or the partner as it gives them temporary respite from showing pity, uncertainty and wondering what right words to say to ease their pain or still appear normal.
But this situation should not go on for an extended time. As soon as you have gotten your own bearings, you should muster enough courage and try to draw him out. Try to talk about the disability in a relaxed way, the adjustments that will have to be made without sounding like it will be such a big burden.
Communication should always be patient, positive, encouraging but firm. Offer help but never insist on it.
Where there is a disability, there will always be challenges for all parties concerned. The best strategy that never fails to work miracles is having much love. Love could make the disabled work harder to have a positive mindset to get stronger, strive to become more independent and be less of a burden faster. For the able-bodied partner, love will make it possible to sustain the patience, understanding and hope that everything will work out for good. As a wise man once said, “Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.”
