| People who were born with a disability adapt to the | | | | much better. Friends and family will enjoy your |
| world around them with relative ease as they never | | | | company more than they would if you are constantly |
| knew any other way. If, however, you are suddenly | | | | morbid and unhappy. People are sometimes |
| faced with a disability you can easily feel lost and | | | | uncomfortable and don't know how to handle the |
| overwhelmed by what has happened to you. | | | | situation, but it will put them at ease when they see |
| The first thing you will need to do is accept that your | | | | you are comfortable and can make fun of the |
| life will be different now. It will not be easy and nobody | | | | situation. |
| can expect of you to immediately accept it. As with | | | | Take one day at a time. Get to know your support |
| any other loss, there will be a period of grief. If you | | | | items; if it is a wheel chair or a specialized computer. |
| cannot get through this period on your own, don't be | | | | The more you familiarize yourself with it, the easier it |
| ashamed or scared to seek assistance. Friends and | | | | will become to use and the more value it will add to |
| family can be of great help, but if that is not enough, | | | | your life. You will soon find that the disability is not the |
| get help from a professional who can assist you to | | | | end of the world you thought it to be, but a brand new |
| work through this period. | | | | challenge. |
| With the advancement of technology it is so much | | | | Work with your doctors and therapist and focus on |
| easier to continue doing what you did before. | | | | the things you can do and not on the things you can't |
| Specialized computer software has opened new | | | | do anymore. |
| worlds for blind people and allows the blind to very | | | | Keep your support system close to you and know |
| much do anything anybody else can do. Wheel chairs | | | | that they want to help and assist you. Don't be a |
| have evolved into state of the art equipment where, | | | | burden by complaining and make things difficult for |
| with the right wheel chair, you will even be able to | | | | them, but accept their help and show them that you |
| continue sport activities that were previously part of | | | | are grateful. |
| your life. | | | | Appreciate all the other positive things that you still |
| Don't lose your sense of humor. Laughter is great | | | | have in your life, such as your children or spouse and |
| therapy, and you and everyone around you will feel | | | | focus your energy on positive living. |