Content

• Steps
• Part 1 of 2: Emotional Rebuilding
• Part 2 of 2: Physical adjustment
• Tips
• Warnings

Acquired or chronic disabilities are always a big problem. Despite the fact that about 20% of the world's population is disabled, society primarily creates conditions for those who do not have a disability. However, you can make your life easier and happier by following some guidelines, no matter where you live or what lifestyle you lead. You need to rebuild emotionally and physically, and then you can live a normal life, despite the physical disability.

Steps

Part 1 of 2: Emotional Rebuilding

1. 1 Accept your situation. Perhaps the most difficult thing is to accept your forecast for the future. While there is always hope of recovery, if you hate your current condition, it will be much more difficult for you to recover and remain optimistic. You need to come to terms with your current state and the likelihood of events in the future. This will give you the strength to focus on improving your quality of life and prevent you from worrying about the status quo.
   • Don't confuse acceptance with laziness. Acceptance means fully understanding the current situation, but you still have the opportunity to work on improving it.
   • Don't deny or ignore your degree of disability - it will make emotional and physical tasks difficult.
2. 2 Don't dwell on the past. If you are disabled as a result of an accident or illness, it can be difficult for you to come to terms with the fact that you are not the same as you were before. Let go of the past and embrace the present. There is no need to completely erase from memory what happened before, but you should not think about the past with despair. Enjoy the memories, but don't let them drag you back. Always strive forward to improve the situation.
   • You can dive into memories from time to time, but don't let these images upset you.
   • If you find that you spent all night thinking about your old life, you should keep yourself busy with something that will allow you to make plans for the future.
3. 3 Try not to lose optimism. In difficult circumstances, optimists feel much better than those who are cynical about their lives. The desire to always be positive, even in difficult situations, will have a beneficial effect on your mental and physical well-being. Look at things with optimism, even if this expression may seem hackneyed. It is impossible for external factors and events to affect your ability to feel happy. You are responsible for your own happiness, and if you don't, you may never find it.
   • Strive to see the good in every situation, no matter how small. For example, if old friends stop communicating with you, the good news is that you learned that they were never friends.
   • If you feel like saying something negative, stop yourself.Many people benefit from the elastic on their wrists: when they have bad thoughts, they pull and release the elastic to motivate themselves to think positively.
4. 4 Don't isolate yourself. If you are depressed, you may want to avoid people and social situations. This can be enough excuse for not seeing friends, family, and doing what you enjoy. But you want the opposite. Use every opportunity to get out of the house and participate in something new. Chat with friends, meet different people, with relatives, find new hobbies. You will feel much happier if you do what you enjoy doing with your loved ones.
   • Spending time alone with yourself is not the same as self-isolation. Take time to be alone, but don't be in this state all the time.
   • Promise yourself to see a close friend or relative every week. Even if you're busy, you will always have a reason to go outside and hang out with a nice person.
5. 5 Concentrate on your strengths. Disability can make you see all your flaws and forget about your abilities. Instead of thinking about what you can't do anymore, do what you do well. Try to develop your skills. If you are having trouble writing because your hand is shaking, try painting unusual pictures with that hand. There will always be something that you do well, and you should do these things as often as possible.
   • When talking about your disability, do not focus on what you can no longer do. Always talk about what you are doing first.
   • Sign up for courses that will help you develop your abilities and talents.
6. 6 Consider seeing a therapist. Although one thought about the need to talk about everything intimate to a stranger can be frightening, it is the psychotherapist who is able to facilitate the period of adaptation to a new state. Psychologists are trained to work with people who have suffered the mental and emotional trauma that often accompanies disability. Such a specialist will offer you everything they can to make it easier for you to deal with this trauma. Find a therapist who specializes in disabilities and make an appointment. Regular conversations with a psychotherapist can help you get rid of even psychological problems not related to disability.
   • If you have an emotional problem or mental illness associated with a disability, a therapist can prescribe treatment.
   • Be honest when discussing your problems with a therapist. The more honesty you have, the more helpful your conversations will be.
7. 7 Attend group meetings. Group therapy for people with disabilities is not only a great way to deal with emotional problems, but also to meet people who are in the same situation as you. This therapy may seem like a waste of time to you, but it has been proven that people attending such meetings adapt more quickly to new conditions. Find out if there is a possibility of such therapy in your city, and try to choose a group that will bring together people with the same disability as you.
   • If you go to a psychotherapist, he will be able to recommend appropriate groups for you.

Part 2 of 2: Physical adjustment

1. 1 Feel free to ask for help. One of the significant difficulties faced by a person with a disability is the need to ask for help. While it can be difficult and awkward to ask, it's still worth it. Know what you can do on your own, but don't overdo it. If you try your best to do something yourself, just not to ask for help, you could be seriously hurt. Don't be shy about asking for help. Just because someone is helping you does not mean that you are worthless.
   • Ask for ongoing care if needed.
   • Get a guide dog if you need one.
2. 2 Explore government support programs. Living with a disability isn't easy, but you don't have to fight adversity alone. If your disability has a significant impact on your daily life, you should contact government and charities. Contact social workers to find out which programs you can participate in and what they provide.
   • Remember that in order to participate in many programs, it is necessary to undergo multiple examinations that would confirm the disability, so do not be offended if you are asked to bring a report from another doctor.
   • Look for charities that help people with your disabilities.
3. 3 Get a companion dog. Your dog can do two things: it can help you accomplish a task that you cannot handle on your own, and it can create company for you, relieving loneliness and depression. If a disability prevents you from coping with your daily tasks, you should get a special dog. The dog will help you at any time, and you will not be dependent on other people.
   • It is possible that there is a government program in your city or a charity organization that can help you get a dog.
   • Many people with disabilities are on a waiting list, so there is a chance that you will not be able to get a dog quickly.
4. 4 If possible, continue to do the same as before. If you stop doing things that make you happy, you will only get worse. Don't give up your old hobbies and interests. If you are not good at something now, try to find new ways to do what you did before. For example, if you enjoyed reading but now can't do it, try listening to audiobooks. If you are a wheelchair user now, but you used to love sports, become a member of a dedicated team for wheelchair users.
   • Try to have new hobbies.
   • Taking new hobbies with attending courses is a great way to expand your social circle and do what you enjoy.
5. 5 Monitor your overall health. Healthy eating and regular exercise are good for everyone, but they are especially important for people who are making the transition to a life with a disability. Eat regularly and include plenty of fruits and vegetables in your diet. Exercise daily based on your mobility. Eating control and exercise will reduce the risk of depression and relieve feelings of loneliness, since both increase the level of dopamine and serotonin (hormones of happiness) in the brain.
   • Get exercise every day if necessary.
   • Check with your doctor before making significant changes to your diet.
   • Regular exercise will help strengthen the muscles that will enable you to cope with disabilities.
6. 6 Find a job that suits your ability. Disability may prevent you from working in your previous position or performing tasks that you performed before. To keep making money and keeping yourself busy, you need to find a new job that allows you to be successful despite your disability. Make a list of things you do well and jobs where you can apply those skills. Look for such a job in your city. Remember that you cannot refuse to work for a disabled person, unless the disability affects the ability to cope with work duties.
   • Some employers provide housing for people with disabilities if they can.
   • Try volunteering if money is not a problem for you.

Tips

• Try to lead a normal life. Don't consider disability a trait.

Warnings

• Always consult a doctor or psychotherapist before making any significant changes in your life.