Disability

Differently abled, incapacity, special needs, handicapped, crippled, impairment......all words which have been used as descriptors. All are fairly negative. All are now frowned on to describe the 21 or more different categories of disablement. There is a move to use the term para - ability instead.

I'm interested because I'm watching, with interest, my 77 year old body failing to function. It is very easy to focus on the things I can no longer do - walk far without pain, sit or stand for any length of time without siezing up completely, hurry or run at all, carry anything, climb stairs or an incline, kneel or bend down, sleep well, turn over or get out of bed.....

I have always been very physically active & energetic. I recall with shame that I didn't adjust my pace of walking to my father as he got older & slower. Not being able to do things is not only limiting it is frustrating & actually quite worrying because I can see the deterioration. It would be easy to be anxious about what the future holds living alone.

I have a daily struggle to get my feet into or out of my pants & trousers. Putting shoes on & off is equally difficult. I'm convinced that my feet have grown further away from my hands! I am resisting getting a stair lift, "use it or loose it", but carrying anything up stairs is a challenge.

I want to be positive about this natural deterioration in function. I'm old. Focussing on the things I can do is more important. Doing things that are enjoyable, but don't have a cost, like reading, swimming, using the computer is very important. 

There is nothing more boring than someone who is negative & dwells on things they can't do anymore, or things that have changed for the worse. We have to acknowledge what is, accept it & do the best we can within the limitations.

However, I'm not a saint & I would really like to be able to climb a mountain again!