How You Can Provide Support for a Family Member With Disability

Many believe that it is hard to have a family member with a disability. Though it can be true, we should also consider that it is harder on the person than for the other members of the family.

It is why each family member should support their family that is suffering from a disability.

If you have a family member with a disability and want to provide them with proper care and enough support, this article is for you. It aims to help individuals like you who care enough to look for a solution to make their family members with disabilities more comfortable.

Here are some suggestions on how you can provide the proper support for a family member with a disability.

Always Be Considerate With Their Feelings

People living with disability, whether it is acquired or inborn, are emotionally sensitive. Always play by the golden rule. Treat the person like how you want to be treated. It would be best to always think of the individual and not their disabilities.

Always ask the person if they need help before giving them one. People living with disabilities should be treated like normal people as it will help them increase their self-esteem and never feel they are a burden to someone else.

When talking to them, you should think before you speak as you can not notice that you have said something that can offend them. Avoid labels when you talk to them, and make sure to use people-first language.

For example, avoid using the word “autistic” and replace it instead with “has autism.”

Help Them Become Independent

People with disabilities have been underrated for so long. The world is changing now, and people notice what these special individuals can achieve. Even people with disabilities can still become independent, and if you care too much for them, you should help them learn how to become one.

Many organizations aim to teach individuals with disabilities to become self-reliant, like the Activ disability services, which aims to help individuals with disabilities achieve greater independence.

You should not feel guilty if you are putting your family member into this process as it will benefit them in the end.

Be Responsive to Them

Even though you want to teach them independence, you should still be within reach. Every one of us needs help once in a while, so do individuals who have disabilities. Therefore, you should still be around to answer questions, assist, and more.

It will help your family members be open to you and never be afraid of asking for help from you. You have to remember that when your family member living with a disability asks for your help, you should be quick to respond.

The next thing you need to keep in mind is to be graceful in giving your help. Be kind and never make people with disabilities feel guilty or let them feel you are too busy to cater to their needs.

Finally, it would be best if you showed enthusiasm when helping them by being pleasant to avoid making them feel like a burden to you.

Be Prepare for Emergencies

Some things are out of our control, and the best thing we can do is prepare. If you have a family member living with disabilities, you should always be prepared for disasters and emergencies.

It would be best to have an evacuation plan if disaster strikes that caters to your family member with special needs.

Create a viable plan and discuss it with the entire household. Each family member should have their respective role in this evacuation plan, and the goal is to evacuate each family member, especially the one living with a disability.

For example, if you have a family member with a physical disability, you might want to place their crutches or wheelchair in a place that can be easily accessed. It will ensure that you can leave the house immediately during emergencies.

Empower Your Family Member

Avoid focusing on the limitations a person can do. Instead, showcase what they are capable of and celebrate each milestone and achievement they acquire. Never take control over them. Give your support instead.

For example, if someone asks about their disability, you have to let them respond and speak for themselves if possible. It will give people with disabilities a sense of control and importance, affecting how they perceive themselves.

Validate Their Feelings and Perspective

All that they feel is valid. Even though you may not fully know what they feel or what they are going through every day, you should always listen to them, believe them, and validate their feelings by telling them that what they are experiencing is real.

You do not know how difficult it is for a person with a disability to face their lives every day. However, with this simple gesture, you will significantly relieve the burden they are carrying.

Never Give Up on Them

You should always be their support system, no matter what. It could be hard to understand people with disabilities as they can sometimes show resentment, but you have to be the bigger person and know that this is just a result of their condition.

So, never give up on them and follow the suggestions provided to give proper support to a family member living with a disability.