An Alphabet for People with Disabilities or Illnesses

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An Alphabet for People with Disabilities or Illnesses

A: Accepting help (yes, even you!).

B: Be your own best friend or at least treat yourself as you would treat a friend or beloved pet.

C: Cookies, comfort food, chocolate!

D: Distract yourself when thoughts get grim.

E: Escape, either literally or with a good book, movie or the Internet.

F: Talk to a Friend or family member.

G: Use gadgets; your local ADRC and/or Centre for Independent Living has adapted ones you can try.

H: H-E-L-L-O, just speak at your usual pace and volume, and make sure the person you’re talking to can see your mouth (in case they rely on lip reading). 

I: Interrupt negative thinking and substitute “I’m doing as well as I can” thoughts.

J: Find Joy in the little things of life.

K: Keep it simple, stupid (as the expression says) or “short” if giving a sermon or talk.

L: Let go of thoughts about what you used to be able to do…

M: Meditate or pray.

N: Never assume that someone with a disability is any less intelligent or mature than you are.

O: Offer thanks at the end of the day.

P: Throw yourself a Pity Party or give yourself a Pep Talk—you know which one you need.

Q: Find a quiet place and use as needed.

R: Read memoirs that are realistic and/or Research new info about your disability or illness.

S: Find Support groups online or in person.

T: Take a nap or a break.

U: Be useful every day or do something useful even if it’s just making your bed.

V: Volunteer—We all have unique contributions to make.

W: Work on your wellness—mind, body, spirit. Design your own program, not what others think you should do.

X: Be an example and look for people who are examples you can copy something from.

Y: Yodel, yowl, sing or whistle.

Z: Do Zumba or laugh yourself silly thinking about how would you look if you were you doing the Zumba (dance exercise)

Treat someone with a disability just like you’d want to be treated yourself – be polite, respectful, and interested.