Dealing with Risks/Emergencies:
An emergency can happen at any time. For anyone, dealing with an emergency is a stressful time and having a disability just added another layer of complexity. When my brother started experiencing symptoms of schizophrenia we were completely unprepared. We did not know what was happening, what were the risks, what to do or who to call. In the end, it was a total disaster. Today’s post will be about preparing and dealing with emergencies and risks.
Creating A List:
Understanding your particular disability or disabilities is crucial in preparing for emergencies. If you have a physical disability that impacts mobility, common risks could be getting stuck, falling in the shower, or having your motorized wheelchair running out of power. If you suffer from mental disabilities types risks you could face are getting lost, forgetting to take medication, or thoughts of sucide. There are also external risks as well just like fires, earthquakes or flooding. Once you have created your list then you can start creating ways to minimize or eliminate them.
Eliminate vs Minimize:
There is no way to remove all risk from your life. But understanding which risks can be eliminated and which can be minimized is important. The goal should always be to try and find ways to eliminate risks. For example if you have trouble walking, falling down stairs can be a risk to you. One way to eliminate that risk is to use always use the elevator. For the risks that cannot be avoided, they can always be minimized. For example if you suffer from suicidal thoughts, going to therapy, not living by yourself, having loved ones periodically check-in on you are all ways to reduce the risk.
Communication:
It is important that you have the ability to get help. When I was younger I was at home by myself and I got a really bad leg cramp and rolled off my bed. I was wedged between my bed and the wall for 30 minutes. No one was around, I couldn’t call for help and I just had to wait there till the cramp subsided, by most standards I am lucky. I have heard of stories where someone is stuck for hours. The key is to always be able to communicate with someone. There are many ways to stay in communication, having personal alert alarm, keeping your cell phone handy and having someone do regular check-ins.
Next thing is to know who to contact. Knowing whether to call your loved one, doctor, therapist or the 911 can be a big help. Also if you are the caregiver of someone with a disability it might be up to you to decide who to contact. Especially in the case of mental disabilities (e.g. schizophrenia) your loved one may not know or want to seek medical attention. It is important to make these decisions ahead of time so that when the time comes, you can act. These types of decisions should not be made alone, getting input from medical professionals, social workers, others with similar disabilities and loves one, is a good way to make sure you are making the right call. If someone’s life is in immediate harm don’t be afraid to call 911. If you are worried but there is no immediate threat you can also call 211.
Basic Setup:
Everyone’s situation is different and it would be impossible to create a list for everyone but there are a few common things that most people should consider who have a disability or are taking care of someone with a disability. Creating a personal health information card that you keep on your person. This should be a list of all your medications and a quick description of your disability and any allergies you have.
Second create a contact list of your support team, people such as your doctor, therapist, social worker and loved ones. Make sure to have contact numbers so that they can be reached in an emergency.
Lastly do some practice drills. Having a plan is one thing, but being able to complete that plan during an emergency is a whole different story. Practice a few times on a periodic basis so that you are always prepared.