Travel and living

Living Well with a Disability

A disability may seem like a life sentence. Life as you know it may have come to an abrupt end. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t lead a ‘normal’ life. You’re just going to live a different life.

Accepting that you have a disability can be very difficult. It can be a traumatic and psychologically challenging process. An altered reality can be more difficult to accept, especially when it means saying goodbye to an old one.

Your life may have changed, but your right to quality of life has not. It might just take a few adjustments. Here are some tips for living well with a disability:

  1. Self-care

It might sound trite, but many people who are disabled may not be taking good care of themselves. The body needs proper care, abled, or disabled. Some help might be needed. A disabled person must learn to recognize this and ask for help where necessary.

The two essential fuels the body relies on are food and exercise. A healthy diet is critical for bone and muscle health as well as immune system maintenance. Balanced eating from all the food groups is essential. Supplements such as multivitamins should also be included.

Exercise is vital to keep the body functioning. Many disabled people work with a physical therapist who prescribes an exercise program. Others can go to the gym, swim, or do other exercises. It is necessary to keep up with a good exercise regimen, which keeps the body in shape.

  1. Get out of the house

Instead of staying home and never going anywhere, it is vital to get out of the house. Many disabled people are hesitant to do this because they feel that their needs are not catered to and that others stare at them. This might, in some instances, be true. However, that shouldn’t deter them from getting out of the house.

Before they go out, they should find out if the place they’re visiting has facilities for disabled people such as ramps. A lack of mobility is a challenge for many disabled people.

Those who use a wheelchair need amenities to help them get around. Getting one of the best electric wheelchairs available depending on their disability can be a solution.

  1. Keep a positive outlook

The challenges of having a disability can lead to depression and despair. These feelings can become overwhelming and lead to a downward psychological spiral. Maintaining good mental health is as important as being physically healthy.

A therapist can help with processing the emotions they’re experiencing. This can be a useful tool and an outlet for negative feelings.

Another way to keep a positive outlook is to attend support groups. People who feel that their stories and tips are helping others start to feel better about themselves.

If the feelings of darkness and depression persist, a course of pharmaceutical treatment prescribed by a psychiatrist might be necessary. Together with therapy, antidepressants can control depression.

  1. See the glass as half full

While there is a tendency to see only what they can’t do, people with disabilities might forget what they can still do. It can be easy to slip into that way of thinking.

There are lots of hobbies a person with a disability can take up to keep themselves busy. A person who has become disabled after living an able-bodied life might find themselves doing activities they might never have considered beforehand.

Joining clubs with people who enjoy the same hobbies is an excellent way to meet new people and get out and about. The shared interest is the perfect icebreaker when it comes to meeting people.

If you have any questions, please ask below!