The WoW Style

When we hear the word disability, we often think about people who are born with it, but according to statistics 80% of the people with a disability are born without it. This means they have to spend time adjusting to it, which can be a difficult transition. For people on wheelchairs, the disability might have entered their life through some illness or a serious injury. This can really cause havoc to the quality of life they are made to spend. And we are not just talking about getting used to about moving around in a wheelchair, but about the several other things that are part and parcel of the equation.

Here are some simple tips on how you can revive your life on wheelchairs, face new challenges and embrace your altered lifestyle.

• Learn to Accept your Disability

The first most important and difficult step is to accept the fact that you are disable. Accepting your disability may feel like giving in, but the more you delay the process the more it’s going to prevent you from moving forward with your life. Begin with giving yourself sometime to grieve, you have suffered from a major loss and you will need time to mourn over it. Instead of suppressing your feelings let them come out once and for all. You will face a rollercoaster of emotions, from anger to sadness, but this is all normal. You will have to give yourself sometime, and soon things will start getting better.

• Invest in a Good Wheelchair

A good wheelchair can make a big difference in your life, so it’s crucial for you to invest in it. It makes moving around and reaching things an easy job. Having a good wheelchair also matters because if you are going to spend longer periods of time in one chair, it has to be comfortable. For most people in wheelchairs, it’s not recommended to put weight on their feet, as it can slow down the healing or cause pain. The right wheelchair makes your mobility easier and makes you capable of reaching things, which reduces your frustration of not being able to use your feet. For those disabled individuals who are allowed to stand but need support, a standing wheelchair is a great new technology to invest in.

• Consider Modifying Your Home

It is important for the people on wheelchairs to have their house modified according to their needs. This will only help them in making their lives easier and less dependent on others. Removing clutter from your home could be the best start in this direction. It would allow your wheelchair to move across the living space without having to get stuck on things. You can add threshold ramps where floor levels are uneven. Furthermore, adding an outdoor ramp will make it easier for you to enter and leave the house. If your bathroom is upstairs, or you need easy access to the floor above, then investing in stairlifts would be a great idea. All this might sound like an expensive option, in addition to your medical bills. Even if your insurance company doesn’t cover these upgrades at your living space, there are several charity organizations or local businesses who would be ready to chip in.

• Find Ways to Exercise

Physical exercises have several great benefits for the people with disability. Exercise helps in making your muscles strong and gives energy to your body. Not just physically, it even has good benefits on your mental health as it helps improve your mood. Sitting in one place for a long time can cause you to gain weight or become weak. It also affects your self-esteem and has the tendency to drive you into the world of depression. This is why it is recommended for people on wheelchairs to exercise so that they burn calories and have a good flow of blood circulation. You can exercise while sitting in your wheelchair, laying down or standing, it depends on your type of disability. Ask your doctor about your exercise routine, and find different ways to exercise.

• Find Things to do that give you Meaning and Purpose

A disability can make you feel useless or empty, especially when you are unable to work or perform activities that you used to before. This is why it’s important for you to find things to do that make you feel good about yourself and give your life a meaning or purpose. Being disable might limit you from few things, but it opens a horizon of several others. Volunteering is a great way of feeling productive and useful. There are several options that you can choose from depending on your passion. Find ways and develop hobbies that will make you happy, keep you busy and make you feel your life matters.

Living a life on a wheelchair changes your lifestyle and makes you face new challenges, but don’t let this stop you from living your life. All you need is the right support and few adaptations and you can enjoy your life to the fullest and stay happy.