Poll How Do You Redefine Yourself If You Have Become Disabled? (self Worth)

[Britt.f7]

I haven't answered any of them because I'm not sure I've redefined myself yet. For the first years of my physical disability, I was too sick to really think about it. Now that I am now concious more, I am finding myself truly lost. Right now I am trying to actually find myself, who I am now. I don't want to be the sick depressed person. I can't volunteer because I can never guarantee that I will be able to show up, illness is too erratic. I do do things around the house when able but I'm definitely not a housewife or even good at it. I did start a blog but that is new to me and I'm still feeling my way around that.

Moving beyond the guilt so that I can find my "new", improved self would definitely help. I'm working on that. This is a great poll!

 

[Changing4Best]

I was born with a disability or two, but also have aquired more along the way. I used to be an artist. I used to be a landlady. My husband died and I used to be a wife...

Finally I offered to volunteer at a Pregancy & Parenting Center here in town. I had to pick myself up by the bootstraps and drag myself there though, because I too felt worthless. I only work a couple or 3 hours a wqeek, but it at least helps me not to feel useless.

I read books, magazines, go to Bible Study, find things to keep busy with. I play Scrabble with myself, since no one else seems interested. I feel that I need to refocus my energies on healthy things, constructive groups, positive energies. Yes, it is a day to day battle. Exercise helps. There are even ones that can be done in a wheel chair for the arms and legs, of course depending upon what capabilities one has left.

 

[safenow]

Exercise helps. There are even ones that can be done in a wheel chair for the arms and legs, of course depending upon what capabilities one has left.

I have some yoga tapes for those of us in wheelchairs. Really good exercises. I'm glad you mentioned that, Sheila. Thank you.

I too believe that volunteering is a good thing. I also do a lot of scripture study and strive to focus on positive things. and you are so correct when you said, "It is a day to day battle".

 

[Britt.f7]

I've started reading more, coloring(though my son wonders why I'm not drawing), and crocheting. It's started soothing the "what am I going to do" anxiety I feel.

Hopefully, when I get better, I can volunteer.

Still need to exercise more.

Trying not to let this illness define me and fighting hard to find myself.

 

[Deleted member 1860]

School.

My state has a tuition waiver program for those of us on SSDI (social security disability insurance).

I guess they figure its a way that we can move toward becoming more functioning parts of society? Very few people get off disability of this type (I'm told), but that is my ultimate goal, and I'm using school as a way to help me get there.