"BELIEVE IN YOURSELF, AND THE MAGIC WILL HAPPEN:" DISABILITY AND STRESS
How do you handle stress? A lot of people have asked me this very question! It seems that quite often disability and stress go hand in hand. I would like to offer a different approach that has helped me to handle the ongoing stress that I deal with in relationship to not only our autistic child, but any type of situation that is stressful. I like to talk about it.
At first, I did not talk about it, and tried to keep it inside of me. I found that only created toxic emotions that boiled the anger with fear of the unknown inside me: What if? ... Why me? However, talking about the issue to God as well as to friends helped me realize that there are others who are suffering more deeply and there are others who have a more severe disability than autism. That put perspective on my situation.
During the school years, each child with a disability has something called an “Individualized Education Plan” or an IEP. This is a document that includes goals for each school subject as well as an individualized step by step process on how to achieve those goals. There is a lot of stress involved in making goals for the IEP. It really helps, once again, to talk about this with someone! The more informed one is about the rights that one has, and the child has, the greater the outcome of the IEP. There is a lot of information online about the IEP and how to become successful in creating one. Stress is, for me, either positive or negative. Lately, I try and turn it into a positive. With positive thinking, all things can be achieved!
A positive attitude, as well as talking about one’s stress, with a friend, is really the key! Our communities, however, are more and more consumed with the internet and focusing less and less on person to person contact. It is a sad reality. However, I want to encourage you to call a friend on the phone, or get together, for breakfast, lunch, or dinner and just TALK. It will make you feel better and do a world of good for your stress levels. Especially those of us who have someone with a disability that we are caring for, it couldn’t be more important to express your heart to someone. We need to strengthen ourselves so we can better take care of our “special needs” loved one(s). Often times I treat myself to some nice chocolate or take a walk which really helps me get the physical exercise needed to keep going as well.
After all, it is by loving oneself, that we can better love others. Here’s a good mantra: “Believe in Yourself and the Magic will happen.”