If you’ve recently been diagnosed with a disability, would you say you feel shocked, or maybe afraid? Like you were tossed into the sea and you can’t find a way to stay afloat? Or maybe you’re relieved. Maybe you knew there was something going on with you for a long time, and this diagnosis is a validation. Or do you feel something else entirely, something that doesn’t fit either of these descriptions?
There is no right way to feel in these situations. Being diagnosed with a disability is a life-changing event, and there’s no blueprint for how you should feel. If you find you’re having a hard time dealing with your disability, with your diagnosis, that’s okay. Coping is a skill, and it’s possible to learn it.
Let Yourself Grieve
A newly diagnosed disability can often come hand in hand with grief for the life you used to have. That’s okay. If you’re sad, if you’re struggling with frustration and anger and grief, then accept it. Let yourself feel your grief.
There’s no timeline for this, so don’t rush. You’ll grieve for as long as you need to. Don’t judge yourself for how long it might take. What matters, in the end, isn’t how long you struggle, but that you give yourself the time you need to grieve. You’ll be all the better for it.
Give Yourself Time
Coming to terms with your disability will take time. It won’t be easy either. Your life has changed, and the adjustment period will be difficult. It’s important to be kind to yourself while you learn how to accept your new situation. Don’t judge yourself for whatever you may be feeling, or for how long it takes you to adjust. You’ll get there in the end, in your own time.
Learn About Your Diagnosis
In order to learn to live with your disability, you have to look into your diagnosis. This means figuring out your rights and needs, and learning how to advocate for yourself when you need to. It also means looking into the resources you have at your disposal, and finding out what accommodations you’ll have in order to carry on with your life.
Your disability doesn’t mean it’s the end. It just means you have to figure out a different way to achieve your goals.
Focus on the Present
It’s easy to get lost in the past, in the hurt of what you used to have. It’s easy to get lost in the worries about your future, in the uncertainty that follows your diagnosis. But you can’t change the past, can’t return to it, and the future is shaped by the decisions you make today.
So, try to focus on the present. Take things one day at a time. The future can be overwhelming, so don’t think too far ahead just yet. Take things slowly for as long as you need, and you’ll see it’ll help more in the long run.
Ask for Help
If you need help, then ask for it. There’s nothing wrong with that. Ask people you trust, your friends and family. Reach out to the people you care about when you need them. You don’t have to struggle alone, and the people who love you will be happy to help you if you ask.
But if you need the kind of help your family can’t give, then don’t hesitate to reach out to a professional. Dealing with a newly diagnosed disability is hard, and sometimes you can’t cope with it alone. That’s perfectly okay. That’s what we’re here for: to help you cope when you need it. So, make an appointment with us. We’ll help you in any way we can.
