Dealing with a Disability

Having a disability means that the basics of healthy living have to be modified. But it doesn’t mean that looking great and feeling great is out of your reach. Living and dealing with a disability creates some challenges to overcome, but with a little research and dedication you can implement a plan for health and beauty that fits your abilities. Take the basics of looking good and keeping yourself healthy and then adapt them to your own specific needs.

Applying your own make-up

The internet has made it possible for people with disabilities to share tips and advice on clothes, hair, make-up and other beauty concerns. If you are not able to control your arm movement there are several options on the market to help. For those who are severly disabled, there are robots that can help to brush your teeth, brush your hair, shave and even apply your make-up. Look for a hands-free make-up station. These stations have multi-functional arms that hold cosmetic instruments and some of the mobile arms are motion-activated. Seek referrals from other disabled people on types of makeup to use and tips for applying makeup. For example, instead of opening jars and bottles with your teeth, you can try using a sticky mat to help get the product open. If you’d like to paint your own nails, but are afraid of making mistakes, you can use olive oil to remove any polish that gets on the skin. Take the advice of others who are in your situation to develop a simple beauty routine. It will make you feel better and look better.

Adaptive Clothing for Disabled People

It is important to look good so that you feel good about yourself. Clothing that adapts to the special needs of handicapped people makes it easier for dressing and undressing. Choose easy access clothing and clothes that have been designed with hook & eye or velcro as they require minimal use of fine motor skills to fasten. One of the most difficult aspects of being in a wheelchair is finding clothes that fit and look good in a seated position. Clothing may need to be adapted, and you may have to shop around to find the right combination of style and function as well as comfort and non-restricting. Jeans, for example, need to be comfortable on the skin and made without back pockets. Tops should provide good shoulder coverage and not be too irritating to the skin. Search for clothes made of comfortable fabrics and simple designs. Shoes should be easy to put on, and sit well on your feet. You can alter your own clothing or search online for specific manufacturers that cater to the disabled.

Exercise for disabled people

If you are disabled, you know your limitations and what you are capable of. The goal for everyone with exercise should be to stretch your personal boundaries and this is no different for individuals in wheelchairs. It all starts with developing good posture and alignment of your body. You should be seated in your wheelchair so that your major joints are directly above one another. Ideally, your shoulders, hips and head should be in alignment. Staying in proper alignment will help develop the major muscle groups that support your body and increase your overall health.

No one fitness routine will be the right fit for every disabled person. Workouts must be tailored to your individual abilities. You can work with your health care provider to develop a routine that fits your abilities and will give you the exercise that you need. There are many popular programs that instruct individuals on how to complete exercise while seated. These can be adapted to your abilities to increase your strength and your health. Keep in mind that a complete exercise program should have cardiovascular activity as well as strength training. A crank can help those in wheelchairs attain a good aerobic workout while seated.