Living with a disability or chronic health issue

Living with a disability or chronic health issue is challenging. Sadly, it can be made worse by other people’s poor attitudes to difference. Sometimes when dealing with disability or chronic health  issues, the person experiencing them can be their own worst enemy too not reaching out for some help that is available. Remember that reaching out for support is always a sign of strength.

Ask for help when living with a disability

I like to believe most people are fundamentally good deep down. It is a fact that when asked why people don’t volunteer for organisations, the answer was largely because nobody had asked them to do so. I think that this always applies to individuals asking for help – we run away from saying clearly what we need in terms of assistance. So ask for help from family, friends, neighbours, colleagues and people you meet via your leisure activities. You might just deepen a relationship and give someone a feel good feeling for getting involved.

Contact charities

There are thousands of charities out there whose very purpose is to help. There are general ones for anyone who is ill or disabled. There are condition specific charities too such as the British Lung Foundation. They can help in so many ways from financial grants to counselling, from advice on benefits to respite care. Many charities have to prove they are used in order to obtain funding to carry on so contact a charity today.

Furthermore, charities such as Motability offer helpful schemes to make the lives of persons with disabilities more comfortable. That said, you can get great Ford Motability vehicles from a recognized Motability dealer to suit your needs. Furthermore, many non-profit organisations cater for the blind, so feel free to contact them for the best results. Other charities provide facilities that make independent living easier, so keep this in mind.

Contact your local authority

Your local authority can offer you a community care assessment which will help you work out what support you need and can get from them. If you have an unpaid carer they also offer a carer’s assessment looking at their own needs too. We can only help others when we are looking after ourselves well. In addition, if you are a veteran, you may well be entitled to compensation if your disability is a result of active service, for example. You can check this VA disability calculator here, and you may also want to speak to a VA lawyer like Stone Rose Law, to find further details of what help and compensation you may be entitled to.

Contact a private care company

Sometimes, the best option is to bite the bullet and get help from a private care provider. Charities and local authorities can only do so much, and if you need care urgently, a private firm will be able to provide it for you at short notice. Private care companies often use NDIS software for small providers, meaning there will always be someone on shift to help you at exactly the time you’re expecting it. This reliability and regularity is important when you rely on the care of others to go about your daily activities and chores, so if you’re financially able, it may be the best option for you.

Equipment

Your disability or chronic illness may mean your struggle to get around the home. It may also mean you are worried about going out and about to pursue work, learning or leisure opportunities. There is so much clever equipment out there from places like Millercare including mobility aids, adjustable beds and incontinence products.

I hope I have given a few ideas of things that can improve your quality of life when you have a disability or chronic illness.

Do you have any tips on living positively with a disability or chronic illness?