Change is an
inevitable part of life...
...but when it comes to disabilities, these changes can be sudden and dramatic.
It's not uncommon for you to feel hesitant or inexperienced when interacting with individuals who have disabilities. That's why I’m excited to introduce the “Bridging the Gap and Building Connections: A Disability-Based Guide” created with the good people (Brian & Brie) over at Finding Good. This is a valuable guide gives you tools to connect with more people, including those with disabilities and if you have a disability to feel more connected.
There was a time when my lack of knowledge about disabilities led me to behave insensitively towards others with disabilities like change my tone of voice when talking to another adult in a wheelchair or assuming they were not capable of doing something instead of asking.
As someone who has experienced anxiety when trying to connect with others, I understand the discomfort that can arise when faced with unfamiliar situations.
I invite you to join me in exploring the
Guide by downloading it today!
Connection and communication are important and enable you to find the common humanity in those around you.
I encourage you to send a message of capability and resilience, reinforcing the
commonality we all share in our diverse experiences.
My experience has been that there is a tendency for us all to focus on fixing the disability rather than acknowledging the person's efforts. Early on in my disability I made a very hard decision to quit school due to anxiety and pain. A simple check-in or acknowledgment of the difficulty of the decision could have made all the difference.
It's important to note that I do not intend to offer solutions or advice but rather seek to create an environment where people can be themselves and freely share their experiences.
Drawing from my personal journey, Brian, Brie and I developed a guide to help you connect with others. Having experienced the struggles of reaching out and feeling alone after acquiring disability later in life, the tools in this guide made a huge difference in my life!
With the "Bridging the Gap" guide, I empower individuals to ask better questions and seek guidance from peers who have faced similar challenges. By creating space for shared experiences and finding commonalities, I emphasize the importance of empathy and connection.
This guide would have been of great value to myself and others around me who struggled with understanding how to communicate effectively during difficult times. It can help “Bridge the Gap” in communication for individuals who have experienced significant changes in their identities and those close to them, fostering new relationships and facilitating understanding.
I am super excited for you to be part of the conversation and create easier
and more meaningful dialogues with those you care for.
Sometimes it is a small gesture of inclusivity that makes a significant impact on those around you.
By using the tools in this guide you will learn safe and effective ways to communicate. Navigating relationships after a significant change in identity can be extremely hard. This guide recognizes that asking questions can help create new dynamics in your relationships.
AND… YOU are invited to come to our Story Exchange on August 8th at 11am Pacific. When you download the guide, you will receive the invitation.
Let's come together to foster empathy, connection, and understanding for individuals with disabilities.
Thank you for being a part of our community.
Much love,
Angela