Resources for Differently Abled Individuals
Whether you or a family member have been recently diagnosed with a disability or chronic condition that affects daily function, know that you are not alone. In fact, 80% of adults over 65 are living with a chronic condition. A new way of living or caring for your loved one will certainly take some practice and patience, but vast resources are available to ease any emotional transition and to discover the safest, most reputable, and most comfortable options available to navigate your new normal.
When becoming more familiar with new needs and mechanics of a differently abled lifestyle, always remember the support systems you have, the resources available to you, and those with similar experiences who you can ask for help along the way.
Here are some resources to help you get started.
Therapists
A Licensed Professional Counselor, Brianna Robles works in a range of specialties, including PTSD, physical disabilities, and disability justice. She is a first-generation college graduate from a Mexican-American family and is passionate about social justice issues such as education, racism, and healthcare.
Kim Olver, M.S., LCPC, NCC, BCC
Kim Olver is a licensed clinical professional counselor and public speaker who specializes in helping and empowering individuals to form more harmonious relationships with the important people in their lives.
Books
It’s Just Nerves: Notes on a Disability
Kelly Davio’s essays examine her experience living with an autoimmune disorder that impacts nerve function and navigation of everyday life as a differently abled individual. She critiques the accessibility of the modern world around us, offering perspective on everything from healthcare to representation in media.
Disability Visibility: First-Person Stories from the Twenty-first Century
Released for the thirtieth anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, this compilation from Alice Wong follows stories of several individuals living with disabilities — both visible and invisible — in the 21st century.
This fictional novel by Will Leitch features a wheelchair-bound protagonist who, despite his physical disabilities, is a key player in solving a mystery that unfolds right outside his front door.
Health Platforms
Storyline Health is an online platform for every type of behavioral research. The platform is flexible and user-friendly for researchers, clinicians, and patients alike. Because they draw from such a wide dataset, Storyline is able to provide for a very personalized and specific care based on a patient’s specific case.
A social network for those living with disabilities or chronic diseases, MyHealthTeams provides a range of communities for individuals to connect with others who face similar experiences. The 42 social networks allow for individuals to find support and to foster genuine camaraderie and connection.
Advocacy Groups
American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD)
The AAPD is a cross-disability rights organization working to connect individuals living with disabilities in order to increase their political and economic power. They champion a range of initiatives to enable and empower disabled Americans to promote equal opportunity, independent living, political participation, and more.
If you served in active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty training, you may be eligible for assistance through Veterans’ Affairs. Not only is financial assistance available through the VA, they also offer help in finding employment and suitable living arrangements.