How To Deal With Sudden Disability

Life can throw some curve balls – we all know that. Accidents can leave you angry, broken hearted and confused. Learning to cope with your newly acquired disability can be challenging, to say the least. Any restriction of independence or freedom can spark anxiety about the future. The healthiest thing you can do is come to terms with your disability so that you can learn how to emotionally conquer it and live happily in spite of it. This requires time and extreme mental effort, and friends family and professional therapists can help you cope. Here are a few ways to adjust both mentally and physically:

• Accepting your new handicap is the first step to leading a better life. It will take a while for the shock to wear off, but facing the issue is the only way to move on with your life.

• Try to avoid self pity. Though it is easier said than done, keeping a positive outlook of determination to overcome challenges will benefit you significantly more than getting down in the long run.

• Focus on the good. The last thing you want to do is sink into depression, so instead think about all of the good parts of your life that haven’t changed and don’t feel defeated. The future is full of hope.
• Learn how to handle reaction of people around you. You need to expect all kinds of pleasant or unfriendly reactions from people around you. Try not to let ignorant people make you angry. Be patient with them or simply ignore them, but don’t lose your temper. There are many support groups that can help you cope with these issues.

• Seek the help of family and friends. Their love and encouragement is crucial in the healing process and you need to have people you can trust to provide you with proper disability support.
• Seek medical support. Talk with a doctor about how exercises, medicine, and surgery can help you cope. Make sure you attend your therapy sessions and don’t lose hope if progress seems slow.
• Control your mind. Keeping you mind free from worry and negative thoughts is crucial for emotional well-being. Spirituality and meditation are great alternatives to put you in a calm state of mind.

Discussion question: What are the biggest challenges with the sudden onset of an illness or a disability? What ways can you target/identify these challenges and how can you work to reduce/alleviate them?