How to Come to Terms With a Disability

If you are newly diagnosed with a mental or physical disability, you will go through the stages of grieving. You will be angry, depressed, sad, in denial; you will bargain. You may associate being disabled with limitations and with being different. However, being disabled does not mean you can't live your life fully. As the initial shock wears off, you can come to terms with your disability and relearn to live a fulfilling, active life.

Instructions

• 1

  Take time to work through your emotions. You need to process your feelings before you can begin to accept your disability.

• 2

  Engage in physical, occupational, and/or speech therapies as needed. You may need help learning to negotiate the world anew, and therapists can help you with exercises to make you stronger and by prescribing assistive devices. You may need a cane to help you walk, or a bath bar to help you get in and out of the tub. If you are having issues with your eye sight, your therapist can recommend a phone that dials with voice activation so that you don't have to struggle to see the numbers on the keypad. All kinds of devices exist to assist people with disabilities.

• 3

  Talk to a therapist or psychologist. Becoming disabled can mean many life changes that you will need to discuss.

• 4

  Join a support group. Talking with other people who have disabilities, and understand what you're going through, is one of the best ways to move toward acceptance.

• 5

  Ask for help from friends and family. Many people want to help but feel helpless, not knowing what to do. Set up an email list by which you can put out calls for assistance. In this manner, no one is put on the spot, yet everyone on the list has the opportunity respond. In addition, you will have let people know what you need.

• 6

  Prepare yourself to be treated differently. Friends and family may have a hard time coping with your disability; some may even abandon you.

• 7

  Focus on what you can do. Disabilities cause limitations, but oftentimes you can define what your limitations will be. Set reasonable goals and then try to achieve them. Reaching them will give you a sense of accomplishment and self-confidence.

• 8

  See your general practitioner for a prescription of anti-depressants if you feel you can't cope with the emotional repercussions of your disability. Depression is a medical condition and can be disabling in its own right.

• 9

  Avoid alcohol or other mood-altering drugs. These only offer temporary help and in fact may impede or delay your emotional recovery, as well as affect your physical health.