With Disabilities: Focus On What You Can Change
We all respond to a crisis in different ways, but a common initial response that we all have is that we wish it wasn’t happening to us, that we could blink and make it go away! You may not be human if this isn’t the way you initially react to devastating news.
When I read the history and physical or consultation questionnaire of individuals that I will be working with, I’m filled with sadness because of the loss that is being experienced in their lives. And when I meet them, I am also amazed at the strength of some and I fully understand the helplessness that others feel.
I have seen that choosing to remain hopeful and focusing only on things that you can change or improve is key to surviving, being able to function and hopefully thriving in the situation. I’ve had a patient tell me recently, “I didn’t ask for this to happen to me but I’m gonna do the best I can with it.” And she did!
Caregiver, please know that when your loved one sustains a debilitating injury or illness, you too have also sustained a loss. I wish I could say that things get physically better, sadly they don’t always. But where you choose to put your focus and energy will determine your path forward. Let go of what you can’t change, get help. You need a plan on how to physically and emotionally move forward. Get support.
Three Steps To Making Change After Injury or Illness.
Learn about the illness or injury sustained. Gaining knowledge about the problem at hand, empowers you to make the correct course of action. You learn what to expect, you learn how to prevent worsening of the situation and you learn how to improve the outcome.
Get mental support. Finding a support group or individual counseling for you and your loved one may be needed. Please know that the physical losses you see on the outside are only a part of the problem. Both you and your care recipient may also be incurring emotional or psychological losses related to the physical loss sustained.
Get physical support. Support from occupational and physical therapy are a part of the recovery process with physical disabilities or injuries. In-home assistance with the physical care of your loved one may also be needed due to the physical load of providing the care.
There are no super heroes in caregiving. It is always a team effort —the care recipient and a team of supporters can make the journey easier.
Bottom line:
Illness and injuries can alter lives, and a lot of adjustments must take place. There are no super heroes in caregiving. It is not always gonna be easy, there will be some hard days but things can run more smoothly and efficiently when all individuals are working together and when there is the proper amount of support. Start developing your course of action.
Consuela Marshall, Occupational Therapist, Caregiver
Listen to the Caregiver’s Finding A Foothold Episode 22: With Disabilities: Focus On What You Can Change . The podcast is available on the FindingAFoothold.com website and on all major podcast streaming sites.
Visit the FindingAFoothold.com. Call the call-in line to tell your caregiving challenge and receive a free response to your struggle on an upcoming podcast show. The call in button is located on the website.
Visit the consult page of the website, find out how to schedule a free 15 minute consult to discuss in more depth your caregiving challenge and receive help developing a caregiving plan specific for your needs.
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Disclaimer: The podcast and blog are intended to provide basic information so that you can become a more informed caregiver. The information presented is intended for educational and informational purposes only and is not meant to serve as medical advice or replace consultation with any health care providers you regularly engage with. Transmission or receipt of any of this information is not intended to, and does not, create a therapist-patient relationship. This information is not provided in the course of a therapist-patient relationship and is not intended to constitute medical advice or to substitute for obtaining medical advice from a physician or therapist licensed in the state where your family may reside. We encourage everyone to consult with your physician or therapist to see if they are appropriate and safe for you.