Inside Is A Real Person
The old saying that you can’t tell a book by it’s cover is the essence of what it is to live as a disabled person. Whatever appears physically to be the disability doesn’t reveal the depths of emotion and struggle going on inside. The courage to face every day and overcome challenges is an on-going process. Medical products and adaptive equipment can alleviate certain of these challenges. The main answer lies inside the person.
The mind-body connection is the relationship among biological, emotional, and cognitive functions with health and illness. Even if you have a physical disability, you can make a difference day to day quality of life by finding adaptive equipment, learning new tools, reducing stress and changing your thoughts.
The Real Answer
Emotional resilience, courage and positive thinking lend themselves to opening up coping skills, and keeping the person from falling into hopelessness. Develop emotional strength to provide the blueprint for functioning, and boost quality of life. Any support that can be given by family and caregivers to encourage and find solutions for the challenges, even if only partially, can stave off depression. Mastery over even the smallest task is an accomplishment that can grow into more independence and confidence. Adaptive equipment may be a simple answer to increasing physical abilities.
The Stress Of Daily Life
Without a disability, it is easy to forget what a struggle the most minute task may be. These struggles are the stressors in the disabled person’s life. The ability to do activities and tasks independently is an important stress reducer, and gives a whole different meaning to life. The solution to stress is a combination of medical products and stress relief techniques.
Medical products for bath safety and mobility, and assistive devices are stress management aids in themselves. Those without disabilities may forget how important it is to do personal needs in privacy or be able to move more easily and safely.
Stress management activities promote feelings of control and increase self-esteem. From a place of mastery can grow self-confidence and hope. If anxiety doesn’t overwhelm, the day can be manageable. Taking control over physical movement and daily living activities produces self-reliance and independent living skills.
Practice positive thinking as an antidote to negativity which drains energy and life force.
Learn and practice breathing and relaxation skills, like muscle relaxation, to be a part of the daily repertoire. Talk about feelings and have another really listen can do wonders.
Relaxation skills, even using massage or supportive home medical supplies, can enhance coping on a daily basis. Of course, any product must be approved by the person’s physician.
The benefits of physical activity are not limited to those without disabilities. Check with your physician. Exercise and physical movement are the very best stress management techniques and have been proven to help depression, anxiety, weight management, and self-esteem in all persons. Practicing the mind-body connection can be a major part of the disabled life.
The least you need to know:
1. The wrapping on the package doesn’t tell you what is inside.
2. Medical products and home medical equipment and supplies provide critical help.
3. Assistance with the physical only reveals part of the solution. The inside issues may be even more important.
The mission, should you choose to accept, requires:
1. Exploring appropriate home medical equipment and supplies.
2. Culture awareness of the whole person, not just the disability.
3. Begin addressing emotional and stress reduction needs in concert with physical needs.
