Living with Long-Term Disability: Support Networks

What is a Support Network?

A support network refers to the people in your life who help you achieve any of your personal and professional goals. Your support network can include your friends, family members, coworkers, teachers, neighbors, and more. The people in your support network offer their resources and time to help you pursue career paths, educational opportunities, and personal growth.

Support networks are very valuable, especially if you have a disability, injury, or illness that makes it difficult to complete daily tasks and activities. You can lean on your support network for extra help, even for small things – picking up groceries, giving you rides, or helping you with homework, for instance. Support networks also provide essential social stimulation, allowing you to stay connected with the people in your community. Many individuals with disabilities find themselves feeling isolated, and having a friend or family member to talk to can help.

Support networks don’t have to be in-person, either. Friends who live far away can offer their support by sending you a quick text message or FaceTiming you regularly. Social media groups on Instagram or Facebook provide valuable information about finding support and like-minded people in your community. Your neighbors, acquaintances, and friends of friends can all be included in your support network, offering useful resources for you to take advantage of.

If you feel bad utilizing your support network often, offer up your own talents to give that support right back. If you are a talented proofreader, offer to edit your friend’s first draft of their new novel. If you love to paint as a hobby, give your neighbor a painting of their home as a thank-you gift. We all support each other in many ways, and you can create your own support network by reaching out to your community members.

Living with a long-term disability can be challenging, but it’s much easier with the help of friends and family members. Similarly, a legal team can be a part of your support network if you ever have any legal troubles or need legal resources. If you have any questions about your rights as an individual with disabilities, our law office is here to help. Contact us today by calling 480-999-4740.

How Do I Develop a Support Network?

Having a good support network is similar to creating a community. It’s important to involve many different people with different backgrounds and available resources to support you in various ways. While having a single person as your support network may sound like a good idea, relying on a single person too much can exhaust them and cause them to burn out. In general, the more people in your support network, the better.

Below are some common people and connections you can rely on to create your support network:

• Family members: If you have a close relationship with any of your family members, they can act as a reliable source of support. Be sure to spend quality time with your family and be open and honest about your struggles and your needs. Use this communication and quality time to build a foundation for support.
• Friends: Your friends are the people in your life that you have chosen to form relationships with. Look for friends who are trustworthy, honest, and empathetic to ensure they will be there for you if times get tough. If there are any old friends or acquaintances you have lost touch with, don’t be afraid to reach out. Old relationships can be rekindled if you make an effort.
• Neighbors: The people who live closest to you can be a valuable source of support. Reach out to your neighbors and introduce yourself if you haven’t already. Building connections with your neighbors ensures you always have a friendly face to rely on if you’re at home and need help.
• Colleagues: The people you work and go to school with can provide resources to help you meet your professional and educational goals. Introduce yourself to colleagues who have similar interests as you, and don’t be afraid to network with other departments to help guide you on your journey.
• Social media: In our modern age, social media is an invaluable tool that can be used to build your support network. Look for online groups and communities that align with your values or interests, and use direct messages to create connections with like-minded people.
• Local community: Your community members may have more ways to connect than you realize. Sports groups, art events, and volunteer opportunities are great ways to meet the people around you. By becoming an active member of your community, you can form connections with a strong foundation.
• Support groups: Support groups are specific groups made of like-minded individuals going through similar circumstances. You can look online for support groups for individuals with disabilities to talk about your experiences and form connections with each other.

Don’t be afraid to reach out to friends of friends or people you don’t know well. Many connections are formed randomly, and all it takes is a little effort to create that attachment. Even if you don’t have a support network right now, you can do the work to create one for yourself.

How Important is a Support Network for Individuals with Disabilities?

Dealing with a long-term disability can feel isolating. For many individuals, it can be frightening to feel like they have no one they can rely on. When it comes to mental health and overall well-being, having a support network is vital. Being able to rely on friends, family members, and other people gives you peace of mind and shows that you’re not alone and you have someone to call if you are in trouble or need assistance.

Feeling a sense of belonging in our community is one of our basic needs. Relationships with friends, family members, and romantic partners are crucial in maintaining a healthy and happy lifestyle for anyone, not just those with disabilities. If your disability requires a bit more support, even having a friend to vent to or asking a family member to keep you company can lift your spirits at the end of a tough day.

Even healthcare professionals can be part of your support network. Doctors, specialists, and mental health professionals all provide you with essential resources that make your day-to-day life easier. Having a medical team on your side that you can rely on to look after you makes it easier to advocate for yourself and face any challenges that lie ahead.

Everyone encounters scenarios where a support network is crucial, and having a long-term disability is one of those scenarios. Having a solid support network can help you lead a healthy, fulfilled life for many years to come.

What if I Don’t Have a Support Network?

If you do not have a solid support network, you’re not alone. Many people with disabilities find it difficult to maintain a support network, especially as they deal with medical and mental health struggles. Fortunately, there are resources available that you can use to build a support network and keep yourself safe.

Disability support groups are excellent sources of information and a way to make connections with people in your community. Some support groups are meant for individuals with a specific condition, while others allow friends and family to accompany individuals to meetings. Going to a disability support group can help alleviate stress and improve your well-being, especially if you are comfortable enough expressing your thoughts and feelings to the group. To find a support group in your area, talk to your primary care doctor or a mental health professional. Your local newspaper or bulletin boards at your local library may also have information about disability support groups near you.

Non-profit organizations can also help provide logistical services. Transportation, in-home support, and supported living can often be found for little to no cost through a non-profit volunteer organization. State and federal programs also provide resources to individuals with disabilities if they qualify. If you need specific information about these services, you can contact our office or speak with your medical provider.

How Can I Support Someone with a Disability?

If you have a loved one with a disability, providing support is the best thing you can do for them. Learning how to provide that support without overstepping their boundaries can be a balancing act, but it is entirely possible.

Below are some tips for supporting a loved one with a disability:

• Ask before you help. Not all people with disabilities require assistance. Always respect a person’s independence and offer to help instead of jumping in automatically.
• Don’t ask invasive questions. Individuals with disabilities are people just like you. Asking intrusive questions can make a person uncomfortable, especially if you don’t know them well.
• Respect their independence. Just because a person has a disability does not mean they have to rely on others for everything. If your loved one would like to do something on their own, respect that.
• Keep gathering spaces accessible. If you often have your loved one in your home, make sure they can access your front door and restroom. If your home is not accessible, suggest meeting at an accessible public space instead.
• Be flexible. Individuals with disabilities may need specific accommodations, like bringing a carer along with them or meeting at an accessible location. Be open to changing plans as needed.
• Focus on your loved one, not their disability. Your loved one is a complex, well-rounded person just like you! Always treat them like a human being, and don’t focus too much on their disability or medical needs.
• Avoid being judgemental. Your loved one may have different needs than you, and that’s okay. Keep an open mind, and try not to judge if they do something you don’t understand.

What Can an Experienced Legal Team Do for Me?

If you have been diagnosed with a long-term disability, figuring out what the rest of your life looks like can be complicated. By developing a strong support network, you are already well on your way to creating a wealth of resources to rely on in the years ahead. Your friends, family members, neighbors, and medical team all provide skills and knowledge you may not have, leading to a well-rounded life full of opportunities.

As you create this support network, it’s essential to understand how a legal team fits into that system. Individuals with disabilities have rights that are protected by the law relating to accessibility and accommodations. Having a legal team on your side protects you in case you ever face discrimination, ADA non-compliance, or harassment because of your disability. Our team knows how to protect your rights, and we are confident we can assist you with any legal matter you may be facing.

Similarly, because our lawyers have such an extensive background in the disability industry, we can connect you with resources in your community. Financial programs like long-term disability insurance and Social Security Disability payments can mean the difference between struggling to get by and supporting yourself and your family. These programs can be difficult to qualify for and apply to, but with help from our team, you have a much higher chance of success.

At Roeschke Law, we are committed to advocating for our clients as they deal with long-term disabilities and the challenges that accompany them. Your support network offers their insights and resources to help you, and our attorneys can do the same. Whether you need help finding available resources in your area or you’d like to pursue legal action against an employer, our team can assist you. To learn more about our services and what we can do for you, call our office today at 480-999-4740.