AAC - Mental Health - Identity - Disability - Q1 - Sylvie

How can I adapt to life with a disability?

Transcript

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How can I adapt to life with a disability? Whether your disability is visible or not, there are many things that you can do to help you adjust to life. So firstly, it's really important to build emotional resilience. Initially, we may experience feelings of anger, frustration, grief and fear. And also grieving over a future we thought we had all planned out. So get a good support network in place, whether that be with one-to-one counselling or joining support groups or forums online. You will know if you feel comfortable in groups, but please, just a caution, remember that your journey with a disability will be unique to you. So try to avoid comparing yourself to how others cope or manage. Acceptance is also an important part of adjustment. Reframing your abilities rather than focusing on the limitations will really help with this. So, for example, what can you still do that you enjoy? How can you find other ways to enjoy what you used to do? So adjusting, adapting, and are there things that you can replace the old things with that you might not have considered? Setting realistic goals and celebrating small victories will help bolster your emotional resilience too. So establishing a routine would also give you a sense of control over your day. Make a plan, and plans help you have predictability and control over what you choose to do every day, especially when the future feels a little bit out of control. Apply for assistance where possible. So you may have access to a blue badge, for example, if you're getting out and about, which will help you to maintain your independence and freedom. Okay, also practical adjustments in the home, in your environment, so adapting your outer world, so with grab bars, ramps, and text such as mobility aids, communication devices and software. Accepting that you will have good days and bad days will also help you manoeuvre your life. Self-compassion and acceptance of our body and our mind and the new limitations will help you to see life in a different way and participate in a different way. But who says you can't discover new hobbies, new friends, and go to new places that you would never have known before? Honouring the loss and change whilst adapting and finding joy when you are ready will be the way forward. So again, leaning into support through specialist support groups or therapy can really help. Please don't isolate yourself. So maintain connection with your community, chapter neighbours, attend local meetings, anything at all which keeps you connected because you do not want to feel isolated. Just be aware as well that many times it can fall on you to make people more aware and educate others about your disability. So be prepared to become an expert in yours. Raising awareness and understanding in others is never a bad thing. Please, if you are struggling no matter what time of day or night, do not hesitate to reach out to the NHS 111, Option 2 for Mental Health or the Samaritans on 116 and 123. I hope this has been helpful and please take care of yourselves.