Get Over Yourself ...We're Only Disabled Part 5
Get. Over Yourself ... We're Only Disabled
I like the title of this chapter a lot, as I feel that every individual that has a disability will have their own specific needs and their own way that they will need to be cared for. We may have the same form/diagnosis of disability but not one of us will need the exact level of support as the next person will require and no one will have the same needs as another person. So this is why it is very important that you find out what a person’s needs are before supporting them, regardless of whether they are verbal or non-verbal. Talk it through with the person or use a technique that you both understand and work out a strategy that will work best for you and the individual. You can try a lot of different strategies and work out which one is more effective to support both of you but always remember the strategy that you use must fit around the person’s needs and allow them to feel as independent as they can be
Everyone has a right to say how they want to be cared for. A lot of people can explain through language or use a preferred communication, such as sign language, eye, head or body movement or a communication aid. However, the person decides what the best way to communicate is, this will help them to direct their care to the person that is supporting them and allows the person to tune into what they need or want. It is important to listen to how we want our care and make sure we have enough time to talk to the person and people need to remember that sometimes it takes people longer to communicate. It is just nicer for the person to know that you take their point of view about how they like to be cared for seriously. Also, it gives you and the person a chance to get to know each other.
How would you feel if you needed support and someone came into your space and cared for you without consulting you and just did your care the way they cared for everyone? I bet you'd feel pretty undignified and feel like your voice wasn't getting heard. This is why it is important to ask us how we want our care. Just thinking about the situation from the other side may help people to understand the way we want to be cared for. Another thing is that all people’s disabilities are different and will need more or less support, so just be aware of the wide range of support that people will need. It all relies on what level of dependency they have and how much they need to have faith and trust in you for support.
Caring for someone isn't just about getting the job done. Working with people with disabilities can be full time and we may require support at any time night or day. By closely working with the individual and getting to know them properly through spending time with them and knowing their interests and dislikes will help you to care for them more and do a great job. If you’re happy in your job, this can allow the person to feel happy with the care and support they are receiving. I have noticed when someone is caring for a person, that person responds more positively when the carer is happy and glad to be at work, rather than someone just doing the job because they have to. When people enjoy their job they are more willing to talk to the person and then they both get a positive vibe from learning from each other and getting to know how each of them likes to work.
Probably the first thing you will learn about when working with disabled people is that everyone will have their own way of doing tasks. This is where you just need to learn to adapt the way you work to suit an individual’s needs. This will happen every time you work with someone new; this is a massive chunk in your learning and you will probably pick it up very quickly when you start to get know the people you are working with.
Knowing that there is reliable person in an individual’s life will give them a sense of independence but the correct support needs to be put in place so that they can become stronger and self-reliant to do things for themselves with confidence. A little help here and there will support the person to grow in their independence and the help will go a long way to allow the person to be successful in their lives. By asking the person questions and talking through what support they need will give the person a better chance to receive the care that they require. Sometimes we can mostly do a lot for ourselves but a lot of the time people will need support and guidance.
Going back to the title of this chapter, by talking to us and getting to know what we need and how we need it, supports the person who is doing our care and builds that trustull and suitable relationship and it helps both people to feel confident and comfortable with each other.
Thank you for reading this chapter, I hope you enjoyed reading it.
Abbie xx
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