Labeled Disabled Part 2 Adjusting and Embracing Your Disability

Labeled Disabled Part 2 Adjusting and Embracing Your disability The hardest part of being disabled, is actually coming to terms that you are, well.....disabled. I shared in part one, how active of a life I was leading and everything came to abrupt halt for me. I went from working out in the gym, being a on spot mom, volunteering at school, to not being able to walk in 24 hours. I would tell myself that I would get better in a few months. As the days turned into weeks.. weeks turned into months and months faded into years, my health did not improve. I finally embraced that this was now my life. I slipped into a huge depression. I didn't want to talk in the phone with my friends. I pushed people away...and I went into a world where it was just me, and my thoughts to contend with. Now people that know me..knows me for my smiles, laughter and one to just take each day with humor...and as I woke up one morning I decided one thing. "It was time to wake up, open the windows and let the sunshine in." If I wrote that I never get depressed and discouraged, that would be a lie. I have some bad days still to this day. However when I realized that I still had a few friends that would not let me lay in bed and give up.. I had to get up and embrace life. I had to learn my limitations and I had to learn new ways of doing things..but the most dreaded thing was....................Asking for help. I am quite stubborn and asking for help is not something I do well. I am also 4'11. Now those that are small like me..knows cabinets are a challenge. I used to shimmy up on the counters and grabbed what I needed. Now.. I have to wait for someone to get something I need that I can not reach with my trusty tongs. Yes.. tongs make a wonderful grabber! Just don't try to get a breakable dish down. I often laugh at myself and what my body does, or should I say..what it doesn't want to do. However..there are ALWAYS ways around anything. Here is a wonderful example of adapting to a disability. I have a 15 year old Chihuahua by the name of Spike. He has cataracts, he is senile..he often gets lost in the house, he will scream so we will come to his rescue..but the sad thing, he lost his jaw due to losing his teeth. I would sit for as long as it needed to hand feed him soft food. One day.. he started eating on his own. He adapted to his disability and just learned a new way to eat. He still gets lost, which a search party will form and he just snuggles into the arms of his owners. Now.. if my dog could adapt..I certainly can take the time to adapt to my disability. Then if I need extra attention I just pretend to get lost till I am safe in the arms of my husband. HA It is easier said then done to adapt...but..we have no other choice. We can not in any way close the world out. Our spouses and children and our friends need us. It is not fair to them for us to close ourselves away from them. I often refer to mind over matter. Once you adapt to your disability, find new ways of doing things you are well on your way to learning your limitations. I still have days that I over shoot my limitations. My legs will go numb without any warning and if I don't sit down I often have to yell for help for someone to help me up off the floor. Everyone has their own limitations ...everyone. So find out what you can do..and how long you can do it. For instance, I can get on the treadmill for 3 days a week for about 15 minutes right now. I know to someone with healthy legs and such that does not seem so much..but I was unable to do that several months ago. I actually started doing 3 times a week for 5 minutes. I can cook dinner.. but I have to sit down often while I cook dinner. My husband has banned me from the laundry room as I did take a fall in the laundry room before. I can dust the living room furniture...but I am unable to sweep and mop the floor. So.. as a final note.. 1. Embrace your disability. 2. Ask for help when you need it. 3. Know your limitations and Finally..... NEVER GIVE UP!!!!!!! Your days will honestly become much better. On a final note.. if anyone has any questions on how I handle certain situations.. feel free to ask any questions.