However it comes about, facing a new disability is a big life change. You are bound to have a million and one questions floating around your head, and that’s not always a bad thing. Asking questions is the way to get answers, and answers will empower you to live your life in the best way you possibly can. Adapting to life with a new disability means coming to terms with your circumstances and finding positive ways to facilitate the daily agenda. This guide has some of the best ways to do just that.
Get to Know Your Condition
One of the first things to do is sit down and research as much as possible (from official sources of information) about your condition. It would also be helpful to connect with other peopleon social media groups that share your disability so you have an authentic frame of reference as well. Being able to talk to people about what life looks like will enable you to make better decisions about how to plan ahead. When you know what you’re facing, it becomes that much easier to engage and stay on track with what needs to happen.
Take Space to Breathe
Dealing with major life shifts is naturally overwhelming. So, allowing yourself to breathe is essential. Everyone needs to take a step back and have a pause every now and then, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with doing so. It is your job to protect your mental well-being, and if that looks like needing some processing time, then that’s okay and completely valid.
Talk to Your Close Circle About It
One of the biggest things you will do for yourself is talk to people about your disability. These conversations might come easily or you may find them difficult. However, all the people you love, love you right back and want to be there with you on this journey. Talking about things makes them so much easier, and there is more value in this than a lot of people realise.
Make Your Home Workfor You
Lots of disabilities need specialist furniture and home equipment to make life easier. Thankfully, there are thousands of products out there that will meet the assignment head on, and you just have to find out what you need and how to get it. If your house needs major changes, there are all sorts of grants that may be able to help you financially. Bathrooms are a common room in need of updating, for example, and finding a good mobility bathroom supplier will be a great way to make you feel so much more comfortable in your house and generally improve your daily agenda. Being able to access the things you need safely, i.e., basic amenities like a bathroom, is essential and well within reach.
Focus on Mental Resilience
Mental resilience is a tough thing to ask for when life throws us curveballs, but it is invaluable. While it is partly about building mental strength, resilience is more about how we deal with the tough stuff when it gets in our faces. The ability to say how hard something feels is one that comes with time, but one that will serve you well in the long run.
Accept the Bad Days as the Course of Life
The truth is that there are going to be bad days and ones where you feel like it’s all a lot to deal with. However, this is a part of life that can’t be avoided. Bad days come and bad days go, as long as you recognise the warning signs of a mental health crisis and protect yourself in this respect. You never know how you will wake up feeling on a morning, and it’s good to have lines of support to help you process whichever negative thought pops into your head.
Embrace the Good Days with Everything You’ve Got
Just like bad days, good ones will come too. When you do have a day when everything feels okay and even brilliant, then it is worth embracing the feeling for as long as possible. These are the days that help us through, and it is useful to accept these alongside any darker ones that may come along too.
Ask Questions, Always
If a question pops into your mind, ask it! Never be afraid to phone up your doctor or lead care person and talk things through. They may just have the right answer you needed and it’s always better to put your mind at rest if that is an option.
Find New Boundaries
Life as a disabled person will bring some changes. It will be important for your mental health to set new boundaries with the people in your life and in the way you spend your day. If you don’t feel comfortable, say something. If you are having anxiety about social activity, let your friends know. Speaking up for yourself is beyond empowering, and it will help you realise where your new boundaries are and the best ways to support your new life.
Look into Financial Support
If your disability has impeded you from doing your usual job, and you’re therefore worried about your finances, try to take a pause. There are lots of avenues into monetary support and plenty of people trained to give you the best advice and help you get where you need to be. While it is natural to be anxious about things like this, there are paths that will bring some security and peace of mind worth exploring. Consider talking to a debt advice charity or your local authority to see what all the options on the table are, and this will be a major first step.
Millions of people live with disabilities all over the world. There are so many products and helplines set up to assist and support, and it is so important to use as many as possible so that you feel comfortable and keep moving forward. A big change like this might be scary, but there are always action plans to help combat the big stressors.
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