Having a disability can be difficult, but you’re not alone. Often times, disabled people may find it hard to relay their problems to friends and loved ones who may not understand what you’re going through. However, there are tons of people in the world who are going through the same thing you are and understand your struggles.
Whether you are newly disabled or have been for some time now, the best thing to do is join a support group to help you cope. Sometimes dealing with a disability alone can be difficult and can increase stress, anxiety and depression. However, joining a support group will allow you to chat with people who understand your issues. Even a caregiver of a disabled person is welcome to discuss their issues and show support. You get to speak with a community of people who understand what you’re going through while also making new friends along the way!
Disabilities-R-Us is a chat room and community created by and for people with disabilities who are looking for a friendly and safe place to make new friends and discuss their issues. There are community forums, chat rooms and they even provide information on disabilities, disability organizations and resources.
The site also has a sexuality resources link that leads you to a book titled “The Ultimate Guide to Sex and Disability: For All of Us Who Live With Disabilities, Chronic Pain, and Illness.” The book is a sex guide for people with disabilities, pain, illness or chronic conditions and is useful to everyone no matter the age, gender and sexual orientation. The book was written by a medical doctor, a sex educator and a disability activist for the purpose of providing readers with encouragement, support and all the information needed to have a sex life that works for them.
Besides Disabilities-R-Us, there are other types of support groups such as online support groups of parents and families of a disabled loved one, networking groups for disabled people seeking jobs and even support groups for safety, assistive technology and healthy living.
Learn more about these support groups and find the best option for you based on your needs and desires. Whether it is about safety, sex, coping, meeting new people or discussing your issues, there are support groups that care about the needs of the disabled. Whether it is online or in your community, join a support group. Not only will it help you to cope with your disability and reduce stress, anxiety and depression, but it will help you to solve most of the problems you deal with as a disabled person as well as connect you with a community who share those same problems. Explore your options and remember that you’re not alone.
Click here to visit Disabilities-R-Us’ website!
Photo Credit: Brett Sayer