Ended soon
Learning that you must live with a disability for the rest of your life, or even just for a period of your life, can be devastating. It can feel like your whole world has been turned upside down, and you now have to learn how to navigate life as a different person. Whether it’s a physical disability or mental disability, accepting and living with it can be a struggle. But many people have to go through the same thing at some point in their lives, either as a child or later in life. If you are struggling to come to terms with a recent disability, the information below could help you to work through your feelings and start to feel better about yourself.
Take Your Time
Facing the reality of a new disability is a tough thing to do. You may have been happy with the way your life was going before, and now everything has changed. You should know that you don’t have to rush yourself into accepting your disability right away. It’s okay to feel all kinds of negative emotions, from anger and sadness to resentment and even guilt. Don’t make yourself feel worse by telling yourself that you shouldn’t be feeling these emotions and that you should get over it. Living with your disability both physically and emotionally will take time to learn.
Start Thinking Positively
Although you will feel a lot of negative emotions in the beginning, and you’re sure to keep experiencing them now and again, there comes a time to turn things around. You can choose to wallow in your negative feelings, complaining about your problems, or you can make the most of your life. Positive thinking isn’t easy, but it’s better than not even trying to change your thoughts.
Realize You’re Not Alone
When you suffer an injury or illness, it can sometimes feel like you’re the only person on the planet. But there are plenty of people all around you who know what you’re experiencing. People can offer you support, even if they don’t know how you’re feeling first-hand. Not only are there friends and family to lean on, but you can look to people who have overcome their disabilities, or deal with them in a positive manner. People live their lives with disabilities every day, keeping a positive attitude and even doing great things. Sometimes, you don’t even know that someone has a disability until someone tells you, and there are famous people with disabilities! As well as looking to other persons with disabilities to inspire you, you can attend support groups to speak to people who have been through the same thing as you.
Look After Yourself
It’s important to recognize your achievements and reward yourself, whether they’re big or small. Everyone has bad days, and you can’t be happy all the time, but you should enjoy it when things go well. Praise yourself for coping well or achieving something new. The most important thing is to look after yourself and remember that you matter.
