Most of the time, we talk about disability as if it is a lifelong ailment. But as a matter of fact, a good number of people with a disability were born without it and consequently they find that they would need to adapt.

Who a person is influences the individual’s aptitude to adapt to disability- Olivia Cuschieri

Inevitably, people who face disability for the first time undergo a lot of stress, as they would need to handle and adapt to various changes in life. Furthermore, they will be prone to encounter disability matters during their lifetime.

From a sociological standpoint, people who are new to disability have to face different issues such as dealing with family responsibilities and consequences of undesirable behaviour. They would need to go through a process of self-evaluation and adaptability.

When a person is injured in an accident, resulting in a psychological or physical disability, the experience is similar to mourning for the loss of a loved one.

This process may be manifested in four phases – shock, denial, anger or depression, and adjustment or acceptance.

Although these stages can be anticipated, they are not methodical. People who face disability for the first time may undergo this process at a different pace, or may even avoid entire stages completely.

A problem is very likely to be encountered when the person has difficulty with resolving one of the stages or becomes trapped in a particular phase. As soon as this transpires, improving further towards adjustment and acceptance is impeded.

Psychological intervention can support the person’s progress along these different phases and in dealing with any problems or complexities that may be encountered along the way. The outcome of this is very likely to strengthen the person’s self-esteem and self-confidence.

In many various and distinct ways, disability does not modify or transform a person. Instead, it jeopardises the perception that persons may have of themselves – of who they truly are. Individuals bring to their disability a combination of principles, opinions, outlooks, feelings, manners, aptitudes, personality traits, doubts, worries or social skills that they have or have the aptitude to change and improve.

Who a person is influences the individual’s aptitude to adapt to disability.

The understanding of one’s disability brings about the concern of discovering an individual’s personality. Certain individuals take gratification in the things they acquire through the understanding of their disability. They value the way dis- ability expresses their principles.

Psychological changes are not entirely related to the disability an individual encounters; they can be concerns that any person may encounter. Nonetheless, it is significant for people with a disability to shut themselves out, making disability an excuse for matters that could very well have emerged in their lives, even if they had not encountered any disability.

In most people with disability, the latter does not outline who they really are; it is something they compromise with whenever it is required to do so.

Furthermore, able-bodied people may perceive disability to be worse than it actually is. A person may have no idea of how someone functions with a white cane, for instance, and it may seem that life for a blind person is totally dependent on others and particularly difficult. But in actual fact, reality can be different.

Regardless of how mature, stable or emotionally tough a person may be, on encountering a form of disability he or she may ask questions and become sceptic about life. When this happens it can make people rely on their coping strategies, so that stress will be reduced, and use coping skills they may have never adopted before.

A person who faces a new form of disability may experience lethargy, undesirable feelings, a sense of helplessness, or uncertainty.

However, it is vital and essential to remember that one may also encounter self-confidence, certainty and courage as one seeks to find new skills and capabilities to manage what is often seen as challenging circumstances.

People who face disability for the first time end up modifying themselves in ways they never thought possible.

With assistance and support from family, friends, neighbours and society in general, most of them will manage to adapt and adjust.

Ms Cuschieri is a care operations manager.

ocuschieri@dignityforlife.com