By Accidents, vehicular or otherwise, can be traumatic experiences whose effects linger long after the actual event. It can be harrowing to continue with everyday life after a serious accident. This is especially true if the accident in question leaves you with a disability.
Disabilities can be physical or mental. They are impairments that restrict one’s ability whether they place limits on movement, senses or participation in activities. Not all disabilities can easily be perceived by the naked eye.
As such, disabilities are complex in nature, with no one case being completely similar to another. Thus, they may require unique handling based on the problem and the person faced with it.
Being impacted by an accident such that you now have a disability, it is only reasonable that it takes time to get back on your feet.
Here are some recommendations that will hopefully help to improve your mindset and situation.
Acceptance
The first step is to try and accept what happened in your experience. Then acknowledge how this affects you every day. It is easy for anyone to be overwhelmed when faced with a sudden impairment in their lives, especially if it comes with monumental changes.
It’s okay to feel not okay, but it is vital that you do not allow the problem to take over your mind and let it define you as a person. You are much more than your disability. While you may need to make allowances and adaptations in your life to accommodate your disability, it does not have to restrict you in all aspects of your life.
You are still in control of your life and do not have to let your disability dictate your future.
Once you accept your disability as a part of you, you can showcase your individuality beyond it.
Remember: You are still entitled to live life with dignity and confidence despite the challenges you face.
Making Changes
As you continue to live life with your disability, you will find that your previous way of living may not be suitable for you anymore. You have to be resilient and adapt to it.
It will not help to be stubborn and insist on carrying on as if nothing happened. Changes will be necessary and can significantly help to improve your living situation.
These changes may come in the form of how you do things, rather than just cutting them out of your life. Activities such as socialising, working and playing do not have to stop just because you have a disability now.
Just keep in mind that the way you do it may be different from how things used to be.
Using Aids
Tying in with the point above, some of the changes you will need to make in your life may involve the use of aids or assistive devices. Technology has come a very long way in recent decades.
Living with a disability can be made much easier if you have the right tools to help you. Walking sticks, hearing aids and even glasses are some such assistive devices for differently-abled people.
If life can be made more comfortable for you with the use of something to help you move, grab and handle things or sense things better, there is no reason not to use them, right? Meanwhile, anything that can help to alleviate pain is also wonderful to have.
Getting Help
There is no shame in getting a hand in coping with your situation. This may come in the form of therapeutic guidance, physiotherapy, pain relief and others.
It would be expected that you need someone to hear your story after going through such a dramatic experience. Companionship, understanding, and solidarity can work wonders to improve your mental, physical and overall health.
Besides emotional and physical support, financial help can smooth out any money worries. You may be eligible for Disability Services by a recognised NDIS provider such as the Samaritans. This may be a boost for you in helping get back on your feet.
Exercise
Drastic changes in your abilities can be daunting. Physical activities may be difficult and painful after an accident. However, it is an aspect of life that should not be neglected regardless of your situation.
Many times, exercising can help to alleviate pain and improve your mood and physical condition. As with other activities, you may have to make allowances for how you exercise.
Nevertheless, you should work on exercises that improve different aspects of your body condition. For example, cardiovascular exercises, strength training, and flexibility exercises.
Exercising in water can be your ideal option as the buoyancy helps to support your weight and prevent discomfort of your joints and muscles. Regardless of your disability, various exercises can still be done to keep your body in shape.
