Immobility came suddenly to me, presenting a dilemma for which I had no experience or solution. I had to make decisions quickly in order to continue to live alone in my home. I needed clarity on a plan of action and a plan for the resolution of my mental state.

I considered that my first priority was to create a means of mobility within my home. I rented, and then purchased, a motorized wheel chair. This purchase was instrumental in “buying time” to adjust my thinking about how I would manage my attitude and how I would manage the logistics in my home

Over the course of not more than two days and a night, I realized that, aside from my knees, I still have the rest of my physical capabilities. I just cannot walk or stand. I realized that I had to choose a mental attitude that would allow me to “switch mental gears”, accept my new reality and reorient my concept of positivity. This was a conscious choice…go forward with a smile or a frown. I chose the smile pathway.

After choosing positivity, I immediately realized that I needed clarity about a way forward in order to create modifications in my home by which I could accommodate my lack of mobilty. I quickly assessed my house and the immediate changes that I would need in order to stay. I talked to friends and family as valued resources for suggestions. My first priority was to evaluate what I could accomplish with my financial resources. I needed clarity about a sequence of steps that would result in a more accessible living space. To create the needed changes, I forced a smile and a “can do” attitude. As time passed, my attitude became less forced. It then began to feel hopeful, followed by excitement.

Accepting the permanent life transition that I was experiencing, I created a plan with the assistance of a contractor recommended by a close friend. My contractor became a good friend and a very positive influence on my attitude about my new way of life. I am experiencing an incredible pathway in which, with friends, family and creative suggestions, I have created an amazingly accessible environment that will permit me to stay in my home for most of the rest of my life.  I have fully retired from my decades long employment by my company and have begun a new quest. I am now committed to providing a resource place for people with disabilities, for people with aging issues, for people with relationship transiitions, for people with career transitions and for anyone experiencing a life transition for which they have little or no previous experience.

Physical disabilities occur either gradually or instantly. In either case, we must make adjustments to accommodate disabilities. How do we adapt to living with disabilities that change the ways in which we manage our daily lives? How do we change “mental gears” in response to changes in our physical capabilities that are limited due to disabling occurrences?