Healthcare4 Tips to Help You Live Well With a Disability

Humans tend to take their health for granted until it’s lost. When that happens, it feels like everything’s gone. Coping with a sudden illness or unfortunate incident isn’t easy, especially when it renders you disabled. But you are not alone.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that one in four individuals in the United States is living with a disability. That makes up 26% of the adult population, equivalent to 61 million people.

The transition from a healthy life to a disabled life is no doubt difficult. But it isn’t as challenging as you think. While you can’t go back in time to a healthier you, you can certainly change the way you think about your disability.

Having said that, here are a few tips that will help you cope with your disability and build a rewarding life:

#1 Maintain a Support System

For the recently disabled person, coping with life is challenging. That is why it’s crucial to maintain a support system. Surround yourself with individuals of like mind or those who share similar stressors. This way, you can share your feelings and discuss your situation with them without worrying about being judged.

A circle of friends who understand you and your unique needs is important to cope with the stress that accompanies disability.

Don’t have people around you that are going through the same thing? No problem, as there are many online groups for people living with disabilities. Join those groups, share your story, and learn a thing or two about others. You’ll realize you’re not alone, and this realization will go a long way.

#2 Apply for Disability Benefits

Life isn’t easy after a disability, and the first thing that takes a hit is your finances. Many times, being disabled renders you jobless, at least in the initial days. But expenses don’t stop.

To make ends meet, it’s best to apply for social security disability insurance (SSDI). It’s a payroll tax-funded federal insurance program that pays monthly benefits to disabled individuals.

By providing financial assistance, this insurance program will allow you to lead a dignified life. With the money you get through SSDI, you can meet both your monthly and medical expenses. This way, you won’t be dependent on others for your expenditures. That’s not all; the benefits of SSDI extend to surviving spouses. If you succumb to your disability, your spouse will receive income monthly.

Another upside of applying for SSDI, as put down by TruLaw, is that you become eligible for medical coverage after two years of enrolment, irrespective of age. This includes doctor visits, prescription medications, hospital stays, and other healthcare facilities.

#3 Get in Touch With a Mental Health Professional

When you learn about your disability, you experience a rollercoaster of emotions, from disbelief to anger and sadness. It’s perfectly normal because you’re mourning the loss of your healthy body. You’ll feel better after a couple of days.

But sometimes, people find it difficult to come to terms with their reality. If you, too, struggle to accept your reality, seeking professional help will be the best bet. Just having someone with whom you can share your feelings will make a huge difference. While you can vent to your friends and families, they won’t be able to lend you the support a professional can.

The right therapist will help you work through your grief and change your thought process. They will also reframe your outlook on life from negative to positive. Leading a happy and healthy life despite your disability will become easy if you seek psychotherapy by getting in touch with a therapist.

#4 Develop New Hobbies

Being disabled doesn’t mean you should confine yourself within the four walls of your home. There are still plenty of ways to enjoy life. Of course, your disability won’t allow you to indulge in activities you previously enjoyed. That is why you should develop new hobbies.

From reading books to teaching kids, there are many activities you can give a try. The goal behind developing new hobbies is to keep yourself engaged so that you aren’t troubled by your thoughts. You’ll be surprised at how peaceful your life will become.

The Key Takeaway

As with any major loss, physical disability can cause mental distress. While physically, you may recover in a year or two, reversing emotional and mental damage is difficult. The first step to healing, like with other significant losses, is to accept your situation and grieve. Only when you allow yourself to experience your feelings will you be able to deal with your situation.

Equip yourself with information about your disability. Doing so will help you understand what you’re going through and help you adjust to it with ease.

Accepting help from professionals will benefit you both physically and emotionally. You should also exercise daily, as it relieves tension and stress and reduces depression and anxiety. Take plenty of rest and think of all that you can do, despite your disability.