Making Adjustments
Do you have a hard time walking up stairs? How about opening up jars?
Making adjustments in your life when you have a disability isn't the easiest thing to accept. But sometimes it's necessary. Your heart and mind want to do all the things you were once able to do but now have a difficult time performing. But your body has other plans for you. I mean, who doesn't want to believe they can still do the things they could do at 16? It's also a pride issue. You don't want to give into the disease. You don't want to have to make adjustments. You don't want to feel different. When it comes down to it, these adjustments are not a sign of weakness or surrender. It's an act of improving the quality of life. You're tweaking process a little bit.
My mom has had to make several adjustments to her daily routine due to her MS. Now that she has SPMS, those adjustments are crucial in helping her and making things a little easier on her body.
Shower Bars - We have 2 shower bars in the bathroom. It's hard for her to get in and out of the bathtub. The bars give her support and stability. One day I'm hoping we can convert the bathtub into a walk-in shower. I know that would give her peace of mind and little more confidence. Not going to lie, I'm a little selfish and wouldn't mind using that walk-in shower for myself. Even though she has the bars, she told me recently she doesn't like to take a shower if I'm not home. She's fearful of slipping and failing. I completely understand wanting to have someone home in case of a fall.
Jar Openers - Something as simple as opening a jar can be hard for my mom. Her strength is next to none and her hands shake constantly. We've found that whether it's silicone, rubber, or cloth, jar openers really help her. We can't all be Superman. Some of us need a little extra help.
Stairs - Stairs are my moms Achilles Heel. Stairs are her arch nemesis. She can do 2 or 3 stairs. Anything after that, she's in trouble. If there is no railing, forget it. When we go shopping, we make sure we spot out ramps for her to walk up/down. I feel like we're always on the lookout for ramps and elevators. When I'm out with friends I think to myself "is this place handicap accessible"?, "Is there a ramp or an elevator so my mom can come here"? We've stopped going to and avoided certain places that we know isn't handicap accessible. We've even made adjustments to our stairs at home. Luckily we live in a one-story home. But we had deck leading to the door that had 5 wide, deep stairs that were difficult for her to get up and down every day. We applied for a home remolding grant for those with MS, and was able to receive a grant to help fix our stairs. Our contractor made a new set of stairs for her to walk up and down more comfortably. There's actually more stairs now, but they're smaller in depth and wider. She's not picking her foot up as high anymore, struggling to pull herself up like she used to. It's all about making the necessary adjustments to improve your quality of life.
Drinking Glasses & Silverware - You're probably reading this and thinking "what does a drinking glass have to do with MS or having difficulties?" For my mom, she has a hard gripping and holding onto glasses/cups/mugs. With her shaking, it's also hard for her to hold certain types of glasses. She tries to look for glasses that have a little impression or groove in them so it's easier for her to grip onto. I know people in the community who also have a hard time with glasses and silverware as well. Some of these individuals have to uses adaptive eating utensils. You do what's best for you.
High Chairs/Couches - Again, you're probably wondering "what does furniture have to do with making adjustments"? But furniture can make or break my moms ease of mobility. Once my mom is on the ground, she down. She's dead weight. She has no strength to pull herself up and get herself off the ground. You can count on her never sitting or laying on the floor. High backed chairs and and higher couches can make all the difference in the world for her when she's trying to get up off them. She needs something higher up. If it's too low, she has a much more difficult time getting up. Having a good support on the back is very important as well. She has a deteriorating spine so good padding and support is crucial. 90% of chairs in restaurants of beyond uncomfortable. Pillows have become her new best friend. So if the event she's going to is going to be a long one, she'll bring a pillow for her back. She brings one to all the MS events we go to. Sure, at first she got looks like "why are bringing in a pillow?" But now, who cares what other people think. Other peoples opinions of why she has a pillow isn't important to her anymore. Her level of comfort is all she cares about. Besides, you're just jealous you didn't think about being comfortable yourself.
What are some adjustments you have made to your daily routine?
Making adjustments in your life when you have a disability isn't the easiest thing to accept. But sometimes it's necessary. Your heart and mind want to do all the things you were once able to do but now have a difficult time performing. But your body has other plans for you. I mean, who doesn't want to believe they can still do the things they could do at 16? It's also a pride issue. You don't want to give into the disease. You don't want to have to make adjustments. You don't want to feel different. When it comes down to it, these adjustments are not a sign of weakness or surrender. It's an act of improving the quality of life. You're tweaking process a little bit.
My mom has had to make several adjustments to her daily routine due to her MS. Now that she has SPMS, those adjustments are crucial in helping her and making things a little easier on her body.
Shower Bars - We have 2 shower bars in the bathroom. It's hard for her to get in and out of the bathtub. The bars give her support and stability. One day I'm hoping we can convert the bathtub into a walk-in shower. I know that would give her peace of mind and little more confidence. Not going to lie, I'm a little selfish and wouldn't mind using that walk-in shower for myself. Even though she has the bars, she told me recently she doesn't like to take a shower if I'm not home. She's fearful of slipping and failing. I completely understand wanting to have someone home in case of a fall.
Jar Openers - Something as simple as opening a jar can be hard for my mom. Her strength is next to none and her hands shake constantly. We've found that whether it's silicone, rubber, or cloth, jar openers really help her. We can't all be Superman. Some of us need a little extra help.
Stairs - Stairs are my moms Achilles Heel. Stairs are her arch nemesis. She can do 2 or 3 stairs. Anything after that, she's in trouble. If there is no railing, forget it. When we go shopping, we make sure we spot out ramps for her to walk up/down. I feel like we're always on the lookout for ramps and elevators. When I'm out with friends I think to myself "is this place handicap accessible"?, "Is there a ramp or an elevator so my mom can come here"? We've stopped going to and avoided certain places that we know isn't handicap accessible. We've even made adjustments to our stairs at home. Luckily we live in a one-story home. But we had deck leading to the door that had 5 wide, deep stairs that were difficult for her to get up and down every day. We applied for a home remolding grant for those with MS, and was able to receive a grant to help fix our stairs. Our contractor made a new set of stairs for her to walk up and down more comfortably. There's actually more stairs now, but they're smaller in depth and wider. She's not picking her foot up as high anymore, struggling to pull herself up like she used to. It's all about making the necessary adjustments to improve your quality of life.
Drinking Glasses & Silverware - You're probably reading this and thinking "what does a drinking glass have to do with MS or having difficulties?" For my mom, she has a hard gripping and holding onto glasses/cups/mugs. With her shaking, it's also hard for her to hold certain types of glasses. She tries to look for glasses that have a little impression or groove in them so it's easier for her to grip onto. I know people in the community who also have a hard time with glasses and silverware as well. Some of these individuals have to uses adaptive eating utensils. You do what's best for you.
High Chairs/Couches - Again, you're probably wondering "what does furniture have to do with making adjustments"? But furniture can make or break my moms ease of mobility. Once my mom is on the ground, she down. She's dead weight. She has no strength to pull herself up and get herself off the ground. You can count on her never sitting or laying on the floor. High backed chairs and and higher couches can make all the difference in the world for her when she's trying to get up off them. She needs something higher up. If it's too low, she has a much more difficult time getting up. Having a good support on the back is very important as well. She has a deteriorating spine so good padding and support is crucial. 90% of chairs in restaurants of beyond uncomfortable. Pillows have become her new best friend. So if the event she's going to is going to be a long one, she'll bring a pillow for her back. She brings one to all the MS events we go to. Sure, at first she got looks like "why are bringing in a pillow?" But now, who cares what other people think. Other peoples opinions of why she has a pillow isn't important to her anymore. Her level of comfort is all she cares about. Besides, you're just jealous you didn't think about being comfortable yourself.
What are some adjustments you have made to your daily routine?
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