Assisting Someone with a Permanent Disability

Just getting through life as a normally-abled person can be a serious challenge. For people who have been born with, or have developed a permanent disability, it can be even more of a struggle. If someone in your family or someone you have befriended lives with a disability, you can make a big difference in their lives. Because you can access and do things that your friend is unable to do, you have an opportunity to improve their quality of life. Here are some of the ways you can make a difference.

• Help with Government Assistance: There are some excellent programs and accommodations available for citizens with various disabilities, but finding the path through the system can be a challenge. For example, the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is available. But sometimes, new users will need help with the paperwork or getting to interviews. NDIS Tasmania does what it can do to accommodate everyone’s unique needs. But offering rides and helping read and sign documents can mean quite a lot.
• Blindness: Not having the ability to see or have a severe visual impairment brings a unique set of problems. Around the house, there are often many things that blind people could use some help with from time to time. A good friend can help them make sure everything is safe and in good order and also help look for things that are missing or improperly set up. If they have a guide dog, there might be some animal care issues you can help with as well. All that is needed is for you to ask, “Is there anything I can help you with?” Perhaps they only want you to hang out and be social for a while.
• Mobility Issues: Many people with disabilities struggle with the loss of mobility in some way. They might be in a wheelchair or require aids for walking. They may even have multiple limitations that cause them to need help for things such as eating or washing up. If someone has experienced significant trauma, like a veteran of war. There could be medical devices that need to be checked or adjusted or even carried. As it is for the rest of us, it can be awkward to ask for help, but it is appreciated if someone asks what they can do to help. If you have a friend with mobility issues. Make sure to ask from time to time what you can do for them. In time you will know and will be able to help them out without needing to bring it up.

Many people are shy around people with disabilities. Perhaps it makes them feel uncomfortable, or they just have some phobias that they haven’t had the opportunity to get past. But if you consider how it would be for you to be in that situation, it is easy to see how much better it would feel if people would be more accepting and willing to be helpful and social. People with disabilities are just like everyone. And they have a lot to contribute to the lives of people who see them as friends and individuals.