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A disability due to injury, chronic illness, or a genetic condition
can have a major impact on an individual's social, psychological,
physical, and economic status. Adjusting to living with a disability
may be rapid or may take some time and may or may not need some
counseling intervention. Adjustment can be seen as the process that
a person goes through in trying to cope with the psychological stress
of a disability. This process can be complex and can be influenced
by many variables.
Out
of The Darkness: Coping with a Disability
This is a book by Robert Lovering, a professional counselor
who specializes in adjustment related to a diagnosis or a disability.
Topics addressed in the book are the newly diagnosed, parents of
handicapped children, family and friends, disabled and the world,
removing limits to our independence, managing stress and anger,
married couples, tools for emotional coping, suicide concerns, and
religion, the taboo subject. It is available at Amazon.com
Journey
of Love; A Parent's Guide to Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
This website provides parents with information on how to talk to
their child about their condition, gives insight into understanding
their child's emotions, overprotection and discipline, adolescence
and independence, and enjoyment and fulfillment. This website also
offers information on general MDA Resources, summer camps, relationships,
your child's education and the future, the family, when you need
help, and saying good-bye. http://www.mdausa.org/publications/journey/6.html
Psychosocial Risks of Chronic Health Conditions in Childhood and Adolescence (Pediatrics 92;6,876-878, 1993)
pdf version of article (Download free version of Adobe Reader by clicking here.)
Physical
Rehabilitation: The Role of the Psychologist
Information in this article is directed toward professionals. Steve
M. Shindell, PhD discusses different ways that psychologists have
been active in the care of physically disabled people. Psychologists
are part of the rehabilitation team. He provides an explanation
of psychological principles that rehabilitation staff can use on
a day-to-day basis. A table at the end presents misbeliefs concerning
disability http://www.apa.org/divisions/div42/members/pubs/1998_Winter/SHINDELL.html
Body
Image: The Inner Mirror
This article is for professionals and strives to provide prosthetists
and orthotists with insight into the relationship between body image
and well-being. This article focuses on people with loss of limb
through amputation. James W. Breakey, PhD, CP discusses body image,
personality and physical disability, and psychological levels and
functions of body experience.
http://www.oandp.org/jpo/library/1997_03_107.asp
The
"Psychological Emergency" Of New Onset Physical Disability And Deformity
This article written by Kamela K. Scott, Ph.D. provides a general
overview of the psychological "experience" of physical disability
from encountering disillusionment through adaptation to treatment
considerations that focus on positive emotional recovery. This article
focuses on new onset of physical disability in adulthood. Topics
include experiencing disillusionment, denial and intrusive recollections,
working through, grieving and depression, social support and adjustment,
impact on the family, the search for meaning, and coping versus
succumbing: therapeutic considerations. A table at the end compares
coping and succumbing.
http://www.dcmsonline.org/jax-medicine/1998journals/may1998/psychological.htm
Articles
Featuring Rosemarie Rossetti, Ph.D.
This website has a list of motivational-inspirational speeches/articles
by Rosemarie Rossetti. Rossetti was paralyzed when an 80' tree fell
on her while she was riding her bicycle on June 13, 1998. Throughout
these articles, she shares the lessons she has learned while living
with a disability.
http://www.rosemariespeaks.com/inspirational-articles
