Living in a wheelchair is a big step in your life, and one that you won’t be happy to take. You may feel a loss of sense of pride, meaningfulness, and wellbeing. You may be surrounded by negative thoughts. Coping in a wheelchair is always easier when you have friends and family around. Shunning away help is common, but it is also wrong. People don’t pity you because you are in a chair. They are there because they want to help and make the transition a smoother one. There are many things that you can do to make life easier, both physical, and mentally. Below are just a few.
Living in a Wheelchair : Keep your Sense of Humour
Sitting in your chair, you may feel like the whole world is looking down on you. You probably don’t remember being a toddler and seeing the world from low down. First and foremost, keep your sense of humour. You may have mishaps; you may knock down a display at your local supermarket. But if you don’t want to end up in tears, keep humour on your side.
There will be dark days, but as you adapt to your new situation, they will become few and far between. Embrace your new outlook on life, and be humorous. At least you won’t worry about having to find a seat in a crowded room! You already have one. And think about all the plus sides, like being the first to board an airplane, leaving everyone else standing in line.
Be proud of who you are, and never say sorry to anyone for being in a chair. The obstruction that you have to ask to be moved should never have been there in the first place. Do not let being in a chair mean you lose your self-confidence. You are amazing, whether standing up or sitting down.
Living in a Wheelchair : Picking your Chair
As you will be spending a large proportion of your time in your chair, make sure you pick the right one. When you buy a car, you don’t opt for the first one you see. You check out the stats and features first. You should also do this with your chair. Make sure the foot plates are comfortable; the break is where you want it to be, and make sure the seat is the right width and depth for you. Choose one that fits your budget and lifestyle, and choose a colour that you love for your chair. Not all wheelchairs are black.
Living in a Wheelchair : Adaptations for your Home
One important part of learning to live in a wheelchair is ensuring your home is correctly adapted to suit your needs. You may need a ramp, an adapted bathroom, and a stair lift. More importantly, you must make sure you get rid of hazards around the home such as lose rugs that could literally leave you stranded in your chair. The size of chair you buy is important. If you have a small house, try to opt for a chair with a compact frame. If you are going to continue to drive, contact your local council about schemes for mobility vehicles. Before you know it you may be the proud owner of the newest car on the street!
Adapting to Life in a Wheelchair : Patience
Rome wasn’t built in a day. And it will take you time to get used to using your chair. If you are using a manual chair, you will gain muscles you didn’t know you had in your arms. You may feel tired just thinking about taking a bath, but don’t get put off. Set yourself challenges and goals, and enjoy the sense of achievement you will feel when you reach them.
If you are still young, join a sports team for wheelchair users. If you are older, enquire about swimming for disabled people at your local pool. When you go out and meet other people with similar needs to your own, everything will seem so much simpler. You will have the chance to make a whole new group of friends. In fact, you may find that your social life improves.
If you feel trapped by your chair, then chances are you are doing something wrong. Perhaps you haven’t made the necessary adaptations to your home yet? If you need advice on what to do to make your home safe and secure, contact us here at Go Access Ltd today. We are here to help.