Counseling/ Mentoring/ Peer Support

Census takers report that about one in five Americans has a disability. Despite that huge number (more than 60 million people) disability is rare for most of us. When it happens, by way of trauma or disease, it is likely we knew nothing about the condition and probably knew no one who had a similar situation.

Coming to terms with disability is a difficult and unpredictable task. The physical and psychological ramifications are enormous. There are very few truisms in this setting. One thing that does ring true for most people is that sharing their life experience with others who know it well, who in fact live it in similar ways, is empowering beyond all known therapeutics.

Peer support networks exist in most communities for various disabilities. Some people are connected by way of rehab clinics or medical referral. One of the best ways to find these connections is by way of national organizations. For example, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society offers a chapter and support group list across all states. The same is true for ALS, stroke and most diagnoses.

The Internet has become the most important tool for people to learn about their disability but also to connect to support networks online. Internet communities become a virtual lifeline for homebound people, for caregivers who cannot leave a loved one alone, for people with every type of disability in every part of the world.
 
This section of www.paralysis.org explores the ways to get connected to human resources, to people that know first hand about surviving and thriving on their own terms.