How can I cope with a disability?

It’s not easy to accept a disability that happened in an instant, especially if you were in peak physical condition before the disability. But if you start to feel sorry for yourself, your outlook on life takes a negative dimension. Little obstacles appear to be insurmountable. Although you may have had aches and pains before the limb loss, you could handle it. Now that your energy is expended toward managing an amputation with new problems of pain and mobility, it is more difficult for you to accept any other annoyances in life.

Also, the limb loss with new pain can cause other pain problems. For example, you may start having back pain or hip pain from the imbalance of your gait. To cope with the limb loss and move forward in life, you must limit the references you make to your problem in conversations with family members and friends. While people are concerned about you, they may not want to hear daily updates on your condition. Visit a physician to discuss any additional problems you may be having. This should ease your mind. If the doctor says that a problem is not serious, be satisfied with that diagnosis. Consider nonmedical alternatives to help you deal with the loss of a limb such as relaxation techniques, counseling and biofeedback.