Well here it is the end of our 4 part mini-series on Regression. The last key step is dealing with your current reality, future reality and everything in between.
So when I say dealing with your reality, what exactly does that mean? In a nutshell, it is just all the stuff you either need to do or want to do. Examples would be getting groceries, going to work, cleaning your home or doing laundry. Basically any task that has to be done to keep you healthy and alive. The stuff you want includes hanging with friends, practicing a new skill, keeping up a hobby, all the fun stuff in life.
Future State and Transition Process:
When dealing with regression practically, there are two scenarios you need to plan for, future state and transition state. The future state is when regression has run its course and your abilities are at their lowest state. Honestly planning for this is pretty morbid. Trying to imagine yourself in a weakened state, damn that is scary but do your best. Take your time, breathe deeply and stop for breaks. Once you are “okay” (like anyone would be comfortable with imagining that), try to think what it would be like dealing with everyday tasks.
Lets take for example someone who gets diagnosed with Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD – is a disease that causes loss of vision). Let’s make a list of some the tasks that you want/need to do:
- Meeting friends for coffee
- Getting around the city
- Grocery shopping
- Using the internet
Now what task can be done, what cannot, what additional help is needed (either another person or specialized equipment) and what tasks can be outsourced or eliminated altogether.
- Meeting up with friends – Yes can still do that!
- Getting around the city – I used to drive a car to get around, that is no longer an option. In Toronto there is a public service call wheel trans that I can use to get around.
- Grocery shopping – I used to go to the store and pick up fresh produce, meat and bread. That would become more difficult. Outsourcing that by signing up for a meal delivery service can be a solution.
- Using the internet – using a mouse and clicking on the screen won’t be an option. I could download a screen reader and start adding other features to make my computer computer more vision impaired friendly.
Now time for the final step, putting in place the new system. Remember getting everything sorted out last minute is very difficult. A lot of resources especially government resources take time (sometimes months to years) to set up. For example wheel trans requires getting all the paper pulled together, getting doctor referrals, waiting for the government to review your application. It is a lengthy process. Start building these systems in advance because figuring it out once you need it is so much worse.
This is the end of our little 4 part series on regression. If any of you have other ideas on how to help with regression or noticed things I missed please put them in the comments.