Learning to Live with a Disability

When a disability occurs, we have to borrow a phrase from our friends, the U.S. Marines: “Improvise, Adapt, and Overcome.”  In addition, we must add the word “Accept” to the beginning of their saying. We must accept, improvise, adapt, and overcome. The first action that we must take, acceptance, is a mental process that we will explore throughout these blog posts on Safe Harbor Pathways, focusing on the life transition brought about by incurring a disability.

Having experienced a life-altering disability, one must recognize that changes to the home environment are often necessary to make it livable. Depending on the type and severity of the disability, physical modifications can be extremely helpful. These modifications generally fall under three basic categories: transfer, reach, and efficiency.

Transfer

To compensate for the loss of the ability to stand or walk, moving from one surface to another becomes essential. We must devise ways to slide our bodies across surfaces that may otherwise hinder movement. Transferring with a vertical standing disability requires compatible surfaces. Considerations include surface-to-surface height, surface textures (can you slide your body across both surfaces?), and how to position to prevent falls during the transfer.

Reach

Throughout the living space, are all switches, buttons, levers, smoke alarms, and rheostats reachable? If not, are there products available with remote controls to allow for easier operation? I’ve installed remote controls for window blinds, a bedroom ceiling fan, lamps, and a stovetop ventahood. I’ve also strategically placed squeeze-type arm-extension grabbers throughout my house to reach items beyond my grasp. In my closet, I use a dry cleaner hanger hook to hang clothes on high rods. My contractor lowered light switches, the dining room thermostat and all of the smoke alarms so that they are within reach.  

Efficiency

This category requires a personal assessment of what to keep and what to discard from your “inside world.” My collection of work ties, shoes, dress shirts, suits, sneakers, and more was significantly reduced. About thirty trash bags were donated to Goodwill, the Salvation Army, or the trash. In my case, closets were relocated to allow access to the garage through an added door and ramp for my wheelchair. I chose not to install folding doors on my bedroom closet that would impede closet access from my wheelchair. My contractor, Rick, built it without doors. Kitchen modifications were made to facilitate meal preparation and cooking. Each room now features a barn-style entrance door to prevent doors from swinging into my wheelchair.

Improvisation is an ongoing process in learning to live with a disability. Adaptation is a fundamental part of creating ways to transition more easily into life with limited physical capabilities. Overcoming the obstacles to life that are inherent in living with a disability offers a path to internal peace and enjoyment of my home environment.

In future Safe Harbor Pathways blogs, we’ll share more details about living with a disability, including discussions about the acceptance of a disability. Join our community on safeharborpathways.com on our Disabilities Page. Share your experiences, or those of friends and family, about how you or others have accepted, improvised, adapted, and overcome a disability. Our intent is to provide useful information, resources, and friendships as we navigate life transitions together.