Many of us have disabilities which steal our energy, or our breath, or cause so much pain when we move that daily tasks seem overwhelming. I have COPD, a seizure disorder, and Fibromyalgia, so there are often days when I’m struggling just to get basic activities of daily living accomplished. When I went to school for Occupational Therapy we learned techniques to work around this and make life more manageable so I thought I would share with you some of the things I use in my own daily life.
KosAbility is a community diary series posted at 5 PM ET every Sunday by volunteer diarists. This is a gathering place for people who are living with disabilities, who love someone with a disability, or who want to know more about the issues surrounding this topic. There are two parts to each diary. First, a volunteer diarist will offer their specific knowledge and insight about a topic they know intimately. Then, readers are invited to comment on what they’ve read and/or ask general questions about disabilities, share something they’ve learned, tell bad jokes, post photos, or rage about the unfairness of their situation. Our only rule is to be kind; trolls will be spayed or neutered.
The first step is to take stock of where you are, what you can do that day and make a plan. Some days start out good and you can get a lot done early, some days you can hardly move. So before you even really get moving it’s a good idea to plan and prioritize your day. What do you absolutely HAVE to do (include things like making food, feeding pets and children, any appointments you have to keep), what SHOULD you do, and what can be put off to a better day. I have three lists going on my head: the needs, the wants, and the wishes. The needs include food for everyone including the animals, being able to get to the bathroom and get the pets to theirs outside, and anything that can’t be avoided that day (like shopping if I’m about to open the last can of dog food). Then I decide how much energy I have and if I need to delegate any of those. Sometimes I can, or I can later in the day. Next come the wants: for me this includes washing dishes, taking a shower and sweeping the floor. Most days I can attend to needs and most of the wants for the day, even if I have to delegate a few as the day progresses. The wishes are on my long term list “sometime this week I need to clean the bathroom” or “sometime this week I need to do laundry” or “I want to go out and work in the garden”. I try to keep the wishes flexible and these are the most likely to be delegated tasks. They also include some things I like to do but don’t always have energy for any longer. Keeping these three lists makes my life more flexible and enables me to keep things clean without over taxing myself.
The second step is to do things in small steps and take frequent breaks.
Break larger tasks up, and stop to catch your breath, have a drink, or just relax in between. Don’t work yourself into exhaustion. Often when I’m working on sweeping the floors I work only during commercials. That way I’m resting and breathing for 10-15 minute blocks with smaller periods of work in between. It may take me a half an hour to sweep the living room that way, but I get through it with energy and air still to spare to sweep the kitchen. If you need to lie down and rest in the afternoon, don’t feel bad about taking that break either. I bet you still nap less than the cat does!
Next stop and organize tasks ahead of time. Think about ways you can make it easier. Instead of running back and forth for cleaning supplies move them from room to room with you. Move a trash bag or the trash can with you as well so you’re not running back and forth and wasting energy. Any task that can be done sitting, do so! That goes from bathing using a shower chair to dressing to sitting on a stool at the kitchen counter to cook or do dishes. Remember that the more air and energy you save, the more you can get done from your wish list. Also remember that if you need to take a break after you are done organizing, do so!
And lastly, use what devices you can to make your life easier. There are many out there that can be purchased. There are others that can be made or devised to suit you. Do you have the option of using a pot filler or can you at least slide a full pot across the counter instead of carrying it? If bending over steals your breath away, consider learning how to use a sock helper and a shoe horn. Also, use slip on shoes whenever possible, or elastic laces. Use a cart to move laundry and heavier items.
There are many other things out there to help, and every situation is a bit different. Energy conservation techniques can make your life run just a bit smoother, giving you the energy to do the things you want to do, like the trip to the store, or out to lunch with friends, or maybe even a DKos Meetup! And once you’re in the habit of using them, they just become another part of your day. Every day will be different, and some days will go easier than others. Your task lists will help you maximize what you can do on your good and your bad days, and help you keep realistic expectations of yourself. And if you have kids, remind them that helping out with those tasks will let them do some of the things on their wish list as well (like going to a park for example).
KosAbility is a community diary series posted at 5 pm ET/2 pm PT every Sunday by volunteer diarists. This is a gathering place for people who are living with disabilities, who love someone with a disability, or who want to know more about the issues surrounding this topic. Our use of “disability” includes temporary as well as permanent conditions, and small, gnawing problems as well as big, life-threatening ones. Our use of “love someone” extends to beloved members of other species.
Our discussion threads are open threads in the context of this community. Please feel free to comment on the diary topic and ask questions of the diarist, and also to ask general questions about disabilities, share something you’ve learned, tell bad jokes, post photos, or rage about the unfairness of your situation. Our only rule is to be kind; trolls will be spayed or neutered. If you are interested in contributing a diary, contact series coordinator postmodernista.