Families, through thick and thin, must stick together. They’re solid units that are there to help one another no matter what, and no matter the situation. Including any disability.
Image via Pixabay
And, for around 1 billion people, that situation includes some form of disability. It’s important that families are there to assist those that are in need, but if this scenario is new to you, you may not know how to act.
- Always ask before providing help
It’s quite normal to have an instinct to help people with a disability, but you should fight this urge initially. It can take people with a disability longer to complete certain tasks, and in reality, they may be fine.
Also, someone with a disability may want to complete certain tasks without help. This can build up their confidence and help them come to terms with the situation. By interfering without asking, you are effectively unempowering that person and it could upset them.
In short, a simple ‘would you like any help?’ will suffice!
- Help them apply for financial benefits
Having a disability can often result in long periods of unemployment, which can be tough to bear. But, fortunately, plenty of monetary aid exists for those people who are struggling to find a suitable job.
Family members can help with getting disability benefits, financial help for those who are unable to earn a living. In the U.S, this includes programs like Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). It’s worth enquiring as to whether or not your own country runs something similar.
Image via Pexels
- Look for volunteer opportunities
There are dozens of programs worldwide that welcome disabled volunteers, and this can be a fantastic way to build up a CV.
If your family member who has a disability is struggling to find employment, volunteering is a superb solution. It allows people to build up their confidence in a welcoming environment, which can help to prepare for the world of work.
- Raise money for a related charity
Whether it’s a sponsored walk or a cake sale, raising money for a charity related to the disability would be a noble act.
This can even directly help your family member. By raising funds for that charity, the charity can, in turn, provide help for your family member. And as an added bonus, you get to see the smiles on the faces of all those people that your money helped.
Plus, fundraisers are a chance to have a bit of fun. By setting up an enjoyable activity, you allow all those involved to take their mind off any stresses that life may be bringing.
Image via Flickr- Don’t treat them any differently
Start by asking yourself how you’d want to be treated, and then act accordingly. Someone with a disability is exactly the same as you are – they have hopes, dreams and aspirations. They want a healthy lifestyle, a good night’s sleep and to watch Netflix just as much as the next person!
Treating them any differently than how you’d like to be treated is, essentially, a basic breach of human rights.
And that’s everything – hopefully, these tips have helped you or another family member in some way. Thank you for reading!