Get Over Yourself... We're Only Disabled Part 14

 Get Over Yourself... We're Only Disabled 

Hey my lovely readers, hope you are well.

Chapter 14

Remember we’re all different with our own interests and hobbies

I wanted to include this chapter as I feel that it is really important to get to know people’s interests and hobbies, especially when carers and other people are working with us a lot of the time.  

It is a key ingredient when you work with people with disabilities to get to know what they are like and their hobbies and interests.   By knowing this, it can help when the person is feeling down or anxious; the key people should know how to keep them calm and happy.  Hobbies can be a vital way to distract someone when they’re distressed.  I know that music and doing any type of exercise can calm me down when I am feeling worried or anxious.

The person who is working with the individual has to remember that they are their own person and will be just as unique as anyone without a disability.  There might be similarities between their disabilities or personalities but no two people will be the same.

Getting to know someone helps to make a person feel comfortable and this can enhance an individual’s independence and self-assurance.  Being able to discuss with someone their hobbies and interests, allows two people to understand each other and the job of caring for someone on a 1-1 level, will be easier as they can     co-operate together.  This can make the job enjoyable and memorable for both people, as they can feel happy and positive with their teamwork.  

The most important aspect here is realising what is going in a person’s life, how they think and feel.  This is a good way of getting to know their interests and hobbies.  By understanding their whole outlook on life, you can work out what interests them and you can build up your relationship by showing interest in what they find enjoyable.  If they are unable to communicate, this can be more of a challenge but when you get to know someone really well, you can start to understand what they want and what they get enjoyment out of by using their form of communication.  It gets easier the more you get to know them.  This can be rewarding for both people as they can build a trusting relationship with each other.  By being interested in the person shows them that you want to help them and be an important person in their lives.  This can also help them feel happy and listened to.

Sometimes people treat people with disabilities the same and forget that they all have different disabilities, hobbies and interests and that everyone will have their own views on subjects.  This is unfair and disrespectful and will make people feel upset and not valued.  People have alternative ideas and come up with new plans all the time. People need to respect this and listen to the individuals to get to know them better.  Also, by understanding an individual, people can change the way they care for them.  When people understand the different types of disabilities they’re working with, they will be able to work with them better and develop their relationship with each other.

In my experience, I have noticed that when people are new to working with disabilities, they feel that they have to baby them and be there for their every move.   Once the person has shown the carer what they can do, the carer may step back and allow them to have their independence and guide and support them. 

We are individual people with our own thoughts and aspirations.  We all want similar things but with our own unique spin on them.  Respect us and get involved in the things we like to do to help the caring relationship to grow stronger and respect will flourish between you both.

Thank you for reading my blog.

Abbie 

xx