Relating to people with a physical disability:

A person who has a physical disability should not be labelled as a ‘disabled person’. A person can be limited in performing certain activities but is still able and capable of doing many other things. If a person cannot achieve an activity using one body part, then with some thought and effort can accomplish the task in a different way. For example a person who wants to paint a picture and has limited or no movement in their arms can learn to use their mouth or feet. People who are different should not be feared but rather admired for living life and should be seen for who they are as a person..

Coping with a physical disability:

Language is very important when coping with a physical disability. The terms one uses should be analyzed and considered before using them. It is very important to focus on the positive instead of the negative. For example the word ‘struggle’ can be replaced with ‘challenge’. A ‘challenge’ can always have a positive outcome as it helps a person grow and learn. The word ‘disability’ can be replaced with ‘gift’. It is challenging to see a disability as a ‘gift’ but one should look at their life and consider how much has been accomplished with their disability and the positive impact one has had on others.

Living with a physical disability:

One should always live one's life day-to-day and believe that one is capable of doing anything one set one's mind to do. If a person experiences a bad day, then acknowledge the day as a bad day. The following day should therefore not be based on the previous day. Instead one should say ‘today will be a better day than yesterday’. Always finish a day looking at what has been accomplished instead of dwelling on what has not been done. Have the attitude that ‘anything is possible’. There is no such thing as ‘I can’t’, drop the ‘t’ and say ‘I can’. Just by getting through the day with all the challenges is an accomplishment in itself.