Hello, Jhana’s supporters! It’s your disability advocate and writer, Jhana. I hope you’re all doing well.
In this article, I want to talk about the embarrassment of having a disability when you’re around your family and how you can cope with that embarrassment.
Understanding the Embarrassment of a Disability
Embarrassment can stem from a lot of sources when you live with a disability. Social stigma and misconception can play a role, leading individuals to feel self-conscious or ashamed of how their disability affects them. These feelings are a natural response but don’t make you less of a person.
On Saturday, I went to my nephew's second birthday party. Everything went great, and I had a great time with my family. I loved seeing my nephew smile, which brought me lots of joy.
Finally, it was time to go home. My brother and sister-in-law drove up and waited for Rob and me. As I walked down the stairs, my little sister helped me because I had a tough time. I felt light-headed as I hit the last step. It was really hot, and I was sweating badly.
Then, I needed help getting in our van. I tried every way to get in. First, I tried stepping up to the van. Then, I tried scooting my butt up to the seat. I even tried to put my knees on the van’s floor to lift myself to the seat, but nothing worked. After 10 minutes of sitting on the van floor, Rob helped me walk to the curb. I was still dizzy and had difficulty walking, so my brother and Rob were helping me walk towards the van, ensuring I made it inside before we left. My brother turned the AC directly towards me so I could cool down. That worked a bit, but I still felt dizzy when we got home.
Your disability can contribute to embarrassment if you don’t accept your faults and don’t think positively. But if you understand your difficulties, you won’t feel embarrassed about what you can’t control.
Building Confidence Through Self-Acceptance
Self-acceptance is an excellent step in building confidence and not feeling embarrassed when unforeseen circumstances happen. Accepting your disability for what it is can be empowering. My other half often says to me, “Your disability is not who you are; you make who you are.” This goes to say that you should acknowledge your strengths even though you have a challenging disability day. That's just it: It’s just another day that your disability has a bad moment. Like many say, “I’m having a bad Spina Bifida day.”
You should practice self-worth by being positive about your disability. It’s also a good idea to cultivate flattering self-talk so you can embrace your unique qualities. Another thing worth doing is practicing self-confidence as often as you can. This shift in mindset can improve how you look at yourself and help you respond to challenging days more effectively.
Practical Tips for Handling Awkward Situations
It’s nearly impossible to avoid awkward situations. So, arming yourself with helpful strategies might be beneficial. For example, you can practice responding to others when you have embarrassing moments. This can reduce anxiety and help you be comfortable with your interactions.
You can also use humor as a way to cope with embarrassing moments. It’s okay to make light of an awkward situation and set boundaries. That way, you can let others know what makes you comfortable and what doesn’t.
Leveraging support Systems and Resources
Support systems like friends, family, and disability advocacy groups are crucial. They help support you emotionally, giving you a shoulder to lean on. Personally, I don’t ask for help because I usually get easily embarrassed. So, I’m still working on it myself.
There are so many other resources you should also take advantage of. These include support groups and online communities, among others. These resources can guide you and introduce you to others who share your difficulties.
Celebrating Personal Milestones and Growth
You should celebrate your achievements, no matter how big or small, as it leads to a more positive outlook on life. You should applaud your progress even if no one else does.
Lastly, acknowledging your growth can boost your self-esteem and motivate you to strive for your desired goals. Every milestone is an opportunity to try harder, so keep being determined.
Via Image Pexels
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