Dealing With Disability

Written by Gregory de Vries.

Grasp your new life and new goals firmly and move on.
Sudden or unexpected disability is an everyday reality in our society with accidents, current levels of violence or illnesses such as strokes.

Learn to accept.
The first step in dealing with a disability is accepting that it has happened and that your life has changed. This is the first positive step that you can take to help you gather strength for your journey. If you do not accept your reality you will use time and energy denying that you have a difficult situation to face and overcome. You need time to grieve and be sad about what has happened and then find ways to move on.
BTS tip: accept that having a disability does not make you any less of a person. This will help you keep things in perspective.

Be realistic.
You need to set goals for how you are going to adapt to the disability in the future. When you are planning, be realistic. If your goals are not practical you are likely to fail.
BTS tip: learn to take things one day at a time and make the best of each and every day.

Think positively.
When you are going through this difficult time it is important to think positively. You must think of good things to be grateful for, this will help you fight depression. It is only natural to feel sorry for yourself, especially in the beginning especially when thinking of the things that you can no longer do. But remember to think of things that you are grateful for. For example, the fact that you are alive and can still spend time with your loved ones.
BTS tip: as hard as it may be, do not give up or let the situation overwhelm you. Find hobbies to do in order to keep busy or explore something new.

Until next month, much love.•