Ability taking the Dis out of Disability with Edith Johnston

Abilty
Ability challenge

Are you or someone you know, experiencing limitations because of a disabling condition (loss of function, chronic pain, chronic disease, progressive disease, trauma/injury, mental illness, or stress)?  Learn about the phases of disability adjustment, adjust to limitations, increase functioning, ‘how to’ live within the limitations and do what you want to do!!

When:  Tuesday,  July 30, 2018 

Where:  WCCC 2508 Blichmann Ave, Grand Junction, CO 81505

Cost:  $89                                

Register:          WCCC

Part I:  Loss is Real!                                              

This is Part I of a series to facilitate taking the dis out to disability.  Are you, or someone you know, experience limitations because of a disabling condition (loss of function, chronic pain, progressive disease, trauma/injury, or stress)?  Learn about the phases of disability adjustment, adjust to limitations, increase functioning, “how to” live within the limitations and do what you want to do!

There are many types of losses, and grief that people face – death, loss of a job, financial problems, separation of friends, divorce, change in lifestyle, loss of health, permanent injuries, pain, change.  The can go on and on, for loss of any kind can be devastating.

When you experience a decrease in what you can do, this is a loss.  There is a grief process and a change in roles.  Become aware of your changes and those around you in your respective roles in the family and community.  Understand the emotions you are experiencing (anger, frustration, hopelessness, acceptance, adaptation, determination).  Know yourself, your beliefs and thoughts; the actions and reactions created.  These are the times of challenges, growth, lessons, and JOY!  Come explore for yourself and with others the process of grief and disability.

  1. Loss is Real
    1. Decrease in function is loss.
      • A Grief Process
      • Change in roles for self
      • Change in roles for others
      • A Redefinition of self
    2. Core Beliefs / Thoughts
    3. Actions / Reactions
    4. Challenge / Growth
    5. What Joys

Part II:  Physical Management               

This is Part II of a series to facilitate taking the dis out to disability.  Are you, or someone you know, experience limitations because of a disabling condition (loss of function, chronic pain, progressive disease, trauma/injury, or stress)?  Learn about the phases of disability adjustment, adjust to limitations, increase functioning, “how to” live within the limitations and do what you want to do!

Adjustment to disability has been described as a series of stages or major tasks.  These stages are normal and expectable; however, they are not neat and orderly.  People differ in how they progress through these stages.  Some progress faster than others, some may skip a stage or go through them in different order.  An adjustment difficulty exist when the individual has problems resolving one of these stages or gets “stuck”, thereby halting further movement toward the final stage of acceptance.  Adjustment is a life-long process.  The emotional aspects of disability may be a major factor in determining the outcome and benefits of all rehabilitative efforts.

You have been working with your physician to gain the greatest comfort and continue your daily routine.  Learn a few more tools to use to manage the physical aspects of disability.  Movement is important and breathing is the basics of all movement.  Discuss and explore what method of movement is most advantageous for you (swimming, yoga, Tai Chi, bicycling, walking, etc.).  Learnt eh importance of relaxation exercises, meditation, pacing yourself to increase the ability to move.  Finally, let’s look at alternatives for symptom management; such as, acupressure, massage, heat, magnets and other alternatives.

  1. Physical Management
    1. Your medical team and approaches
      1. Medications
      2. Therapy – physical, occupational, speech, cognitive, behavioral
    2. Your Daily Routine
      1. Schedule – Pacing
      2. Breathing
      3. Movement
      4. Rest
    3. Other Tools
      1. Relaxation, Meditation, Centering (Productively doing nothing)
      2. Yoga, Tai Chi, Stretches
      3. Swimming, Walking, Bicycling
      4. Other Symptom Management Options
    4. Acupuncture, Acupressure
    5. Massage, Bodywork
    6. Heat / Cold
    7. Magnets, Electromagnetic Stimulus
    8. Nuerofeedback, Biofeedback
    9. Herbs, Salves, Homeopathic remedies
    10. And many more

Part III:  The “How To” of Disability                         

This is Part III of a series to facilitate taking the dis out to disability.  Are you, or someone you know, experience limitations because of a disabling condition (loss of function, chronic pain, progressive disease, trauma/injury, or stress)?  Learn about the phases of disability adjustment, adjust to limitations, increase functioning, “how to” live within the limitations and do what you want to do!

Adjustment to disability has been described as a series of stages or major tasks.  These stages are normal and expectable; however, they are not neat and orderly.  People differ in how they progress through these stages.  Some progress faster than others, some may skip a stage or go through them in different order.  An adjustment difficulty exist when the individual has problems resolving one of these stages or gets “stuck”, thereby halting further movement toward the final stage of acceptance.  Adjustment is a life-long process.  The emotional aspects of disability may be a major factor in determining the outcome and benefits of all rehabilitative efforts.

Do you need to stop doing what you are accustomed to doing every day and on special occasions?  NO!  Look at and develop a process of setting realistic expectations.  Answering the question, of how to versus whether you can or can’t – do what you want to do or have been doing.  Let’s look at adaptations (in method and mechanical).  What about support from others?  What is available in the community?  Also, let’s look at the question of work or continuing to generate an income.  What resources are available for cash flow?  Explore the “how to” of moving forward with living with a disability.

  1. The “How To” of Disability
    1. What are / were you accustomed to doing?
    2. What do you want to do?
    3. What is realistic – not can or can’t?
    4. Adaptations……
      1. Pacing
      2. Mechanical (do dads, technology)
      3. Support from others
      4. Community Resources
    5. Work
      1. Interests
      2. Abilities
      3. Environment
      4. “How to” within limitations
      5. Labor Market
      6. Create a cash flow

Move forward with living with a disability.

Part IV:  Personal Balance                        

This is Part IV of a series to facilitate taking the dis out to disability.  Are you, or someone you know, experience limitations because of a disabling condition (loss of function, chronic pain, progressive disease, trauma/injury, or stress)?  Learn about the phases of disability adjustment, adjust to limitations, increase functioning, “how to” live within the limitations and do what you want to do!

Acceptance – does not imply being happy about the disability.  Rather, it refers to the relinquishment of false hopes and successful adaptation of new roles that are based on realistic limitations and new potentials.  The individual carries on with everyday life.  The disability shrinks in importance and other features of life grow in significance.   The individual feels comfortable with the changed self.

Emotional tools to help deal with the stress of the ups and downs of daily living that have been added to with a disability.  Explore how to grow through the experience of the disability.  Look at tools; such as, journaling, flower essences, core transformation, acupressure, meditation, healing mandalas, counseling/coaching, biblio-therapy (reading), music, fun and joy.  The focus is to have a personal balance for experiencing life and the disability part of you.

  1. Personal Balance
    1. Stress Management
    2. “How to” grow through the experience of disability
    3. Tools
      1. Journaling
      2. Flower Essences
      3. Core Transformation
      4. Acupressure
      5. Meditation
      6. Healing Mandalas
      7. Counseling/Coaching
      8. Biblio-therapy
      9. Music
      10. Goals, Focus

Dr. Edith Johnston – The question is “How To” not whether we can or can’t.  Edith has worked with individuals and groups to discover a personal understanding and create the ‘how to’ for their personal development.  She provides tools, supports, insights in understanding, overcoming, developing, expressing, and connecting to experience your potential.  Her tool box includes energetics, visual, and creative methodologies to discover your personal story and develop a change in the story line.  She has extensive work in pain management (physical and emotional), disability adjustment, career development, and life event transitions.  She is a Licensed Counselor in Colorado.  She offers individual counseling, groups, and workshops – live and virtual.  For more informationOn Dr. Edith Johnston see her full website at www.howtoinlife.com

When:  Tuesday,  July 30, 2018 

Where:  WCCC 2508 Blichmann Ave, Grand Junction, CO 81505

Cost:  $89                                

Register:          WCCC

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