A large number of Canadians have at least one disability that limits them in their daily activities, which makes them the biggest minority group in the nation. They’re still excluded, and some are not able to get together with families and become part of the experience due to the environment, attitudes, or the way the system is set up to ensure success. The youth that is, the working-age population, and seniors all experienced an increase in the disability rate, which can be attributed to mental health issues. If you’re living with a disability, you’re not the only one.
Having a health condition or particular needs doesn’t mean you can’t live a great life. As long as you stay focused on yourself and are part of the community, you’ll be well on your way. Irrespective of your location or lifestyle, you can make small changes that can quickly improve your life and make you happier. Please continue reading if you’re curious to find out more.
Accept Yourself and Understand Life Might Change Forever
Undoubtedly, the most challenging part of getting accustomed to a disability is coming to terms with the current status of your mobility. We all take our health, circumstances and mobility for granted until the circumstances change. In adjusting to the new reality, you might feel the full range of emotions: shock, anger, depression, and denial. Instead of obsessing over what you’ve lost, you better understand you can’t go back in time and fix all your mistakes. To be more precise, accept your current situation and the possible future. Not only is it possible to overcome the challenges you face, but also live a fulfilling life.
People living with disabilities sometimes require additional technical or mobility devices; some need special care and deal with obstacles throughout their lives. For example, you might have trouble climbing the stairs because you’re restricted in mobility. If you want to regain independence at home, there are different types of stairlifts available to choose from. Having the proper perspective can make all the difference, so be willing to embrace the good parts of life. Stereotypes, stigma, and discrimination are challenges some people with disability face every day. You need to remember that having specific difficulties doesn’t make you “less than others” or in any way not “normal,” so ignore negative messages about you and your situation. Radiating a positive attitude certainly helps.
Don’t Be Embarrassed to Ask for Help
You might hesitate to ask for support as you don’t want to be seen as a problem. Although it might seem frustrating or embarrassing, asking for help is something you must do at times. You’re not an island, and that applies to all of us; we sometimes need help. Everyone relies on others. Asking someone to move or lift something doesn’t make you high maintenance; it just makes you human; getting assistance can spare you a lot of time and aggravation, so don’t try to do everything yourself. A friend or a loved one will be happy to help out.
Make Your Home More Accessible
Even if you’re fit and healthy, you need an accessible home, so make the necessary changes to ensure it’s safe. An accessible home enables independent living for people with disabilities – it’s a place full of comfort. The question now is: What should an accessible home have? Well, here’s a practical list:
- Be mindful of furniture placement: Furniture pieces can pose a significant threat to your safety, so plan for easy movement. Ideally, you should have a five-foot turn radius – in other words, a five-foot circle of clear floor for a person in a wheelchair to turn around. This way, you can move freely without running into obstacles.
- Replace steps with ramps: Ramps improve your mobility capabilities if you’re in a wheelchair or use any other type of mobility aid. There are several types of accessibility ramps, including threshold, portable/folding, suitcase, permanent, and modular. When no ramps are available, you might face several difficulties.
- Install a stairlift: Stairlifts are an excellent solution for navigating around the home. If you have a lifelong condition like MS, you may feel unsteady or dizzy while walking. At some point, you’ll want to consider having a stairlift installed. Stairlift prices aren’t fixed, meaning they depend on several factors, such as the type of staircase, the model desired, and the number of floors.
- Change door knobs for lever handlers: Doorknobs don’t give as much grip as lever handlers, making doors difficult to operate. French door handles, for instance, make it easier to enter and exit a home. Replace the doorknobs for the entryway door and the bathroom doors.
- Eliminate the rugs: Injuries associated with loose or detached rugs are common. If a rug is slippery, anyone can fall. To keep your rugs from sliding, use corner or under grippers. They have a strong adhesive on the side, which keeps the runners in place and prevents the corners from curling.
Consider Getting a Service Dog to Make Life Easier
Last but certainly not least, think about getting a service dog to help you manage parts of your daily life. They’re trained to work with people with a wide spectrum of needs, so they’re not a pet. Attention must be paid to the fact that a service dog isn’t an emotional support dog nor a therapy dog. Getting back on topic, the dog will help you get where you need to be without being reliant or dependent on others. They have full public access rights, which means a service dog can go places other animals aren’t allowed. There may be government programs or charity organizations that can provide a service dog – trainers put a lot of hours of work into each animal, so they may not be cheap, but well worth it, especially for dog lovers.
Stress can be hard on the body and make some of your symptoms worse, so practice relaxation techniques to lessen the effect on your mind and body. At the end of the day, you’re still in control of your life. You may struggle with trying to be independent, but that applies to many of us, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have a great life. The future is full of uncertainty and complexity, but nothing in this world can’t be solved.
Jessica Alexander
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