Welcome to the journey that is healthy living with a disability. Some people may feel like living a healthy lifestyle and being healthy despite having a disability is an impossible accomplishment. I am here to tell you that it is totally an achievable goal for anyone who wants to take the time to plan and the right steps to make that a reality in their lives.
This blog has been created for a variety of reasons. One of its purposes is to help dispel the myth that people with disabilities are inherently unhealthy. People outside the disability community may think that the limitations placed on persons with disabilities automatically means they are unhealthy as well. This leads to negative consequences not only for the individual with a disability that is being categorized for what others think they can’t do but it is also to the detriment of the other person who is not giving the person with the disability the opportunity to share their skills and abilities with that person.
It has been my experience that even medical professionals sometimes assume patients with disabilities have other underlying illnesses. Even worse, some medical professionals act like they know more about how the disability affects the patient more than the person living with the disability. They try to turn a blind eye to the idea that the patient is the expert on their own disability. As a result, there can be problems with communication between the two parties, leading to a delay of tending to important medical issues facing the patient. It also amplifies whatever anxiety the patient might experience when going to the doctor. This can lead to a multitude of problems that do not have to exist if there can be a level of comfort between the patient and the medical staff they choose to assist in their medical care. This makes it difficult to have your medical needs taken care of and it leaves you frustrated about the situation with almost nowhere else to go.
People with disabilities can be active in sports and recreation just as anyone else. There is a range of adaptive equipment and ways to modify activities so that everyone can have a chance to participate in the recreational endeavors that interest them the most. It is my hope to increase awareness of the active nature of the lives we choose to lead. What you may see in someone’s outward appearance does not always give insight to their complete story.
The other aim of this blog is to help people with disabilities gain access to sound health information so they can make the best choices for their health and wellness. It is also going to provide encouragement to those who don’t know where to start on their health and wellness journey.
Sometimes the journey to overall good health seems scary, or the path may be unknown. It is important that you know you are not alone. This may sound like a tired cliché but, you need to know there are other people supporting you along the way. As people with disabilities, we are made to believe that health and wellness don’t exist. Through my experiences I have had to find the tools and the right people to guide me through the twists and turns of the healthcare system. I have come out the other side wiser about the way to best optimize a situation and stronger as a person because I continue to pull from a well of strength unknown to me until there is no other option.
The key to beginning the journey is just to start right where you are. All you need to do is find the tools that fit your life to make this idea a reality for you. I have spent many years navigating the healthcare system and doing the best with the options in front of me to have a healthy life.
Covering topics ranging from topics like health and wellness to adaptive fitness and cooking, there is something for everyone to benefit from checking back with us often. The information that is going to be provided on this website will give people access to an increased number of options. The results will only further empower them to make the best choices for their lives.
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