Living with a disability can make life more challenging, especially if you are newly disabled. Depending on your disability, there are many things you can do to make daily life a little easier. After all, keeping you healthy and supporting your daily living are essential to improving your quality of life.
Help with Everyday Tasks
For a disabled person, completing daily tasks can be difficult. Whether it is getting out of bed, preparing food, reading, getting dressed, bathing or brushing hair, there are mobility aids that can make everyday life easier while helping you to remain independent. Furthermore, you may be able to apply for additional help in the home. This may include home care or grants for home improvements.
As well as remaining independent in the home, for many disabled people, it is important to be mobile, too. Depending on your circumstances, an adapted car may improve your quality of life. Adjustments can be made to the steering wheel (including hand controls for braking and accelerating), pedals (such as a left-foot accelerator), and the seat (which can be adapted to a swivel chair to make it easier to enter and exit the vehicle).
Keeping Fit and Healthy
If you have limited mobility, keeping fit and healthy may cause you concern. However, there are steps you can take to maintain or improve your health, reducing the chances of illness and complications. To look after your mental health, you could consider meditation or practising mindfulness. For your physical health, it is important to eat a healthy, balanced diet and depending on your circumstances, you may be able to incorporate exercise into your daily routine.
Coping with Disability
If you are newly disabled, coming to terms with your disability can be tough. After becoming disabled, you will go through a period of adjustment and you may experience a range of emotions, including anger, frustration or depression. You do not have to go through this alone as there is support available, with options including talking to a counsellor or joining a support group. It is also a good idea to seek advice about financial help (such as grants, in-home support, heating payments, reductions in council tax, or Personal Independence Payments), to help to reduce the financial pressures often associated with becoming disabled.
Remember, you are not your disability and it does not define you or your identity. Hopefully this short guide will help you to implement changes and help you to lead a happier, healthier life.
