Written by Jo Lambert.
It is not generally understood or addressed by our society that people with disabilities experience more grief and loss on an almost daily basis than the general public. Much of the grief and loss for the person with a disability is the same as that for the person without a disability. However, the person with a disability has the added dynamic of a daily reminder—the disability itself. . . .
Read at Access Press, http://www.accesspress.org/archive/2006/09/story_pwd_face_grief_loss_issues.htm
Originally from Life After Loss by Kathy Sherer, Ph.D. (From the University of Texas, Counseling and Mental Health Center). Updated in 2005
2 Comments
I agree that the range and depth of grief frequented by a person with a disability often is missed by able bodied individuals until the unfortunate day they meet a chronic disabling problem of their own. I have had MS for some time though diagnosed 3 years ago. My life is very different now than it was when I was more functional. With each exaccerbation or loss comes grief and isolation. It is very hard to let people know how difficult it is to live with the losses and with the knowledge that this is a progressive illness. Kind of like living with one foot here in the today and the other foot preparing for the needs that tomorrow may bring. I am glad I stumbled across the article, nice to know someone “gets” it.
I agree with everything both of you said. A friend of mine who is a teacher got a call during the day asking her who put the book “Don’t Feel Sorry For Paul” on the 6th grade reading list. She told the person that since she taught 6th grade, she put those books on there. He told her that he was Paul and was honored that people were still reading his book! I was amazed that he called the school and everything!!
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