Living with a disability can be very difficult but charities and government organisations are working to improve access, funding and resources for disabled people, this is to try to make their life as stress free as possible. Take a look at the points below which explore the effects of having a disability and will offer information and advice about where you can go for practical help and advice, as well as emotional support and any other additional information.
Effects of a disability
Disability effects everyone differently but often those that have grown up with a disability cope better than those that suddenly find themselves disabled in some capacity, common effects of a disability may include:
- Mental health issues which include anxiety and depression
- Loss of freedom and independence
- Frustration and anger at having to rely on other people
- Practical problems including transport, choice of activities and accessing buildings
- Unemployment
- Problems with learning and academic studies
- Loss of self-esteem and confidence especially in social situations
Different disabilities can affect people in different ways, someone with learning difficulties may be affected by their disability differently to someone who may have a physical disability.
Physical disabilities
Often, people with physical disabilities may feel frustrated as they can’t do the activities that people without physical disabilities can, such as playing sports and doing exercise which can be much more difficult, getting out and about can also be difficult as sometimes it requires special transport and the help of people to assist the individual. Having a physical disability can also change the way a person lives their life, they may find that their life changes radically following an incident or illness that leaves them with a physical disability.
Having a physical disability also impacts upon the home environment, people who use wheelchairs may require ramps, low kitchen units, wide doorways and corridors or a stair lift.
Mental disabilities
Having a disability that affects a person’s mental capacity means that they may require some additional assistance whether it’s at school, college, in the workplace or at home, the level of assistance required will depend on the individual case and the severity of the disability. People with mental disabilities may feel frustrated if they cant grasp new concepts and learn new information as quickly as others. People with mental disabilities may also find it a lot more difficult to find employment and this may lead to the development of mental health issues like depression and a lack of self confidence.
Support for disabled people
Living with a disability is difficult but there’s many people out there who can help to make life that little bit easier.
Emotional support
Many charities provide telephone and group support services, telephone lines are usually open 24 hours a day and offer confidential advice, you won’t need to provide your name and you can tell the person on the other end of the phone as much or as little as you want. It’s important to share any worries or concerns that you may have with other people as they could mount up and can contribute to conditions like depression, stress and anxiety, charities that offer these services include the Samaritans, Childline and the Disability Living Foundation. If you’d like to talk to somebody face to face then see your GP, they will be able to arrange counselling for you, this will enable you to talk to a trained professional about your problems as well as provide you with someone to talk to, who is completely impartial and removed from the situation you’re in.
If you’re caring for a person with a disability, then this can be very challenging and could leave you feeling physically and mentally drained. If you’re struggling to cope or you simply need a little extra help, simply contact your local authority and discuss any additional care for your loved one with social services. Should you need advice, emotional support or information about caring, there’s lots of charity organisations with helplines who can provide advice 24 hours a day.