Here’s What You Need To Remember When You Friend Someone With A Physical Disability, Also Not Fully Wheelchair Dependent
I’ll admit, some people with disabilities are super needy and need a lot of help. But most others like myself that are not wheelchair dependent need a lot of help. We also have to rely on lots of people to help us with certain types of needs.
Living with a physical disability is hard. People think we have it easy, but we really don’t. It takes two times more energy to do the simplest of tasks, we’re tired at the end of every day, we need to keep up with doctor appointments and hygiene to make sure we stay healthy; it’s all just a lot of work.
The way my disability is, I always must rely on people to help me with certain things. Yes, I’m independent, but I will never become independent to the point where I won’t need anyone by my side helping me with something- because I can’t do that thing on my own.
Here’s what you should remember when befriending someone who has a physical disability but is not wheelchair dependent full time:
1. We switch between people when asking for help because we don’t like to burden one person- this is one of the key things. When we ask for help, we ask one particular person, but if that person’s not around or they’re having a conversation, we’ll ask the next person because we don’t want to bother or burden the one we always ask.
2. If you see us struggling with a task, don’t wait till we’re sweating and exerting ourselves to help out. If you see this happening, do not sit there and wait till the task gets too hard for us to do, come up to us and ask if we need help, chances are we will accept the help.
3. It’s hard for us to accept the fact that we will never become independent all the way. This can sure be hard. We look at everyone around us and see how independent they are. All we wish sometimes is to have one, just one full day of independence, to feel what it’s like.
4. We get overwhelmed very quickly. Those with physical disabilities get overwhelmed quick. We can’t put too much on our plate or else our brains will be on overload. We need to do things in stages.
5. All we want is to be loved. All disabled people want is one thing: to feel loved, that’s it, it’s not that hard…. it’s as simple as that.
Our lives can be hard and overwhelming at times and we need all the love support and help we could get from our families and friends. It’s one thing that will help us through even the darkest days, and it’s the one thing that will keep us going.
So, the next time you’re going to befriend someone who has a physical disability but is not wheelchair dependent full time, keep the above 4 things in mind. I know you and that next person will become best friends in no time……. You’re welcome and good luck!
