Tips and Tricks for Independent Living as a Disabled Person
Chloe_Scope
Administrator Posts: 10,557 Scope community team
Living independently can be a real challenge for disabled people. Whether you are moving away from home or going off to university, looking after yourself can bring about a whole host of hurdles that you wouldn’t necessarily be able to predict.
My name is Ruby, I have Ehlers Danlos Syndrome and I am a student at Exeter University. I run a blog where I share my experiences of chronic illness and a project called Chronically Cute Cards where I send out free, handmade, personalised cards to chronically ill people.
I’ve been living with students for the last few years but have recently just moved into a house with my sister. This has meant I have been spending a lot more time by myself and have had to adapt. I wanted to share a few little tips and tricks that I have found to make life slightly easier when living independently as a disabled person.
The perks of a bum bag
Purchasing a bum bag to carry all the things I may need throughout the day has meant less trips up and down stairs and ensures I never get caught without the essentials if I get stuck on the sofa! Having your medication, phone, glasses and phone charger on hand can also be really helpful in case of a fall or emergency.
Kitchen gadgets
The kitchen can be one of the toughest rooms when it comes to independence as a disabled person due to the countless hazards. Kitchen aids can be a great way to ease your concerns. Choppers, Nutri Bullets, kettle tippers and cutlery grips make cooking safer and easier especially if you have dexterity issues or painful hands.
Smart technology
One thing that I have found incredibly useful, but can occasionally be a bit pricey, is the Phillips Hue lightbulbs or smart lights. Being able to control the lights in your home via your phone saves you having to get up and down to turn lights off and on. You can also control the brightness which helps if you suffer from migraines as you can dim the lights.
Snuggles with a dog!
A huge bonus for moving in with my sister is her dog Murphy! Having a pet is obviously not an option for everyone, but it really helps with my anxiety when I am home alone, and he keeps me company on the days where I am stuck in bed.
Food straight to the door
One tip that I cannot stress enough is online food shopping. Food shopping is an exhausting activity, doing it online saves so much energy and the people that deliver your order are usually super helpful and will often help you unpack if you ask.
My version of independence
Finally, I think the most important tip for me has been to create my own definition of independence. When I first started thinking about becoming more independent, I was terrified that this meant I would no longer be able to have help with anything. Now I have realised that there are certain things I can do that serve my independence all whilst still asking and accepting help in other aspects of living. Define your own independence, it looks different for everyone!
These are a few of the things that have helped me to feel confident being independent in my home and I really hope that you can draw some inspiration from these ideas and that they will help you.
What do you find helps you around the house? Are there any little hacks that make living independently easier? I would love for you to share your tips and tricks!
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I do know just be aware of your own disability or illness or condition. Make it easy for yourself. Have a think of ways to be organised, planning.
I use my diary page a day useful for organising my schedule my home my day.
Need to do. Includes go to numbers for emergency or those I need to contact. Taxis. are one.
A folder created a few. For recipes, stocklists and meal plans.
Another one for benefit letters, personal information, essential information.
The kitchen the gadgets, food processors, blenders, rubber utensils, for every day uses.
On Amazon look for pans, pots and got a kurrai like a wok with lid steady and easy to use.
Zip bags, clip bags great essentials. Can put raw meat in to them. Add oil, spices and herbs. Zip them up and it is instant marinade for the pan .
Vegetables diced, chopped, do them put them into zip or clip bags plus any sauces.
Ready to go straight away. Use them for left over sauces. Instead of plastic containers.
Make uses of websites that have equipment you can use. Get bargains on zip bags and clip bags. Anything else. Kitchen towels need them for the wipes of hands and any spills.
On line shopping a vital one for me. Signed up to Amazon, Utility companies, TESCO, banking all useful. Including meds and Doctors. Book get appointments on line and meds delivered.
Do each room when I am OK to do clean up. Got a laminate floor easy cleaning no carpets. Use brush, broom when I need to. Make use of wipes and cloths.
Take my time. Get tired easily so do a room a day.
Have some me time. Put good music on radio . Classic FM around the home helps me mentally.
Have a coping box favourite CD's and books, poems, my bible.
Most important to me this forum, just helps me .
As I live alone speak to no one except the taxi drivers when I need to go out.
Take care.
@thespiceman
SCOPE Volunteer Award Engaging Communities 2019
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She is the same person who worked for my mother for a decade. I delegate tasks. Ironing I do myself.
Things that need to be taken upstairs we collect during the day, on a table at foot of stairs. At bedtime everything gets taken up together. And vice versa things needing to go down.
I can't stand for long, and my knee don't bend fully so can't sit close enough to sink to wash up, so I have a countertop dishwasher (no bending!). I not only wash dishes in it, but also toothbrush, shower caddys, trays, pegs (in colander), ceramic plant pots, etc. It's also great for washing small pet houses, toys, climbing ropes, etc. This means I can use my limited energy on other activities.
1- When reading medical or therapy assessment reports, try to remain calm and objective. Remember that the report cannot predict the future. Put it in a folder and don’t become mad at your child either (this is one of the best pieces of advice I’ve ever received).
Cry or feel sad, then move on with your life. Delayed does not mean never going to happen. Same applies to form filling too. If it makes you feel better, scream into a pillow quietly as your loved one sleeps. I have a file of assessment reports tucked under my bed. The old inaccurate reports don’t scare me now.
2- Take pictures of your child. I have a box crammed with baby photos of Logan and his twin sister in a drawer in my bedroom. Advocate for your child too.
3- Celebrate every inchstone. Every time my son achieved something I made a note of it. And we also go out to celebrate a big milestone at a restaurant or at our local ice cream shop. Look past the delays. Get to know your child properly.
Kind regards and good luck with your studies. 🙏
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It helps me when pulling off trousers, and to hold waistbands open, so that I can get them on more easily. It’s a small thing, but it saves a lot of struggles.
A plastic screw-in broom handle would perform just as well, if you don’t have a walking stick to hand.
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Great tip about the chip basket in the saucepan.
Will tell my adult daughter who has wrist pain.
Thank-you
They worked for my son.
Also I stuck pictures of his feet into my custom made baby book. I also made notes on their general development, eating habits, appearance and behavior as well.