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Becoming disabled after an accident is more complicated than being born with a disability. The reason is that you have had a taste of a “normal” life already. You have been able to do whatever you want without worrying about any part of your body failing after an hour or two. You can ride a motorcycle or even go up the steps in your house without asking for assistance from anyone. Then, all of a sudden, you find yourself in a helpless situation, and there is nothing that you or the doctors can do about it.

Because of that, most disabled individuals try to hide what’s wrong with them as much as possible. “There are feelings of shame, embarrassment, vulnerability, paranoia. Disclosing your illness can make you feel isolated and less valuable,” said psychotherapist Katie Willard Virant, JD, MSW, LCSW.

If someone ends up hearing about their problem, they get mad at the person who talked about it without their consent. In their mind, the people who already see them in their new state will mock or pity them. Understandably, it will not sit well with them.

However, the truth is that there are a few benefits that come with letting people know about your disability.

1. You Will Realize Who Genuinely Care For You

Persons with disabilities are one of the last groups whose equal rights have been recognized, said Jody Heymann, MD, PhD.

Thus, the first thing that you can accomplish by announcing your situation is that you will realize who genuinely care for you. If we stick to honesty here, we are all aware that the perception of people about us can change when something terrible happens to us. Some of your friends may decide to stay away from you, thinking that you are now a liability. Others may talk negatively behind your back, too. Despite that, there will undoubtedly be several sweet souls who will come forward and lend you a helping hand, no strings attached.

2. They Will Go Out Of Their Way To Accommodate You

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When you tell your loved ones or acquaintances that you already have a permanent disability, you are not robbing them of their chance to plan gatherings that will not be uncomfortable for you.

According to Mayra Mendez, PhD, LMFT, “Part of not being lonely is not taking for granted the people that are already in your life.” It’ll help you keep friends in your life.

For instance, in case you cannot get out of your wheelchair, they can decide to do a staycation instead of going on a hike. If you cannot see anymore, they will not prepare games that require the use of your sense of sight.

3. You Can Avoid Shocking New Acquaintances

Letting people know about your disability allows them to process how they feel about the situation. After all, if your positions have been reversed, and you find out that a colleague is now a PWD when you face them, you may not know how to react as well. Various expressions may be evident on your face, such as shock, pity, sadness, and other negativities. However, if you inform them beforehand, you are allowing them to avoid making a mess in front of you.

Final Thoughts

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It is not a bad idea to tell everyone in your circle about your disability. It does not turn you into an attention-seeking person either who has to have everyone at their beck and call. Doing so will be convenient not only for you but also for the people around you.…

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Going to a theme park like Disneyland is a fun activity that my husband and I thought we had to give up. We found out before James, our firstborn, turned one year old, that he has Asperger’s Syndrome. From what the psychiatrist has told us, we know that it is a high-functioning form of autism. It entails that he will most likely be able to go to a regular school and do a lot of things that non-disabled kids do. However, noises and visuals can overwhelm him, so it is a challenge to take our son to crowded places.

Laurent Mottron, MD, PhD, and Jacob Ari Burack, PhD, noted, “In contrast to the common notion of autism as simply a disorder of social development with one or more specific impairments related to understanding and participating in reciprocal social interactions, more current conceptualizations are based on the notion of a condition that involves complex patterns of atypical processes, especially in the areas of perception, attention and motor development.”

While James was watching cartoons on TV one time, though, he showed an interest in theme parks. He was mesmerized by the colors on the screen, as well as the rides that other kids were riding. I asked his doctor if James could go to Disneyland, and I was glad to know that it could happen. What made me happier, though, was learning that the said theme park has sensory support services in place for guests with disabilities. The simple explanation about it is that they will give your child a Disney’s disability card, which will act like a Fastpass and keep you from waiting in lines for hours.

Still, before allocating one weekend to a theme park adventure with the entire family, there are a few things that you should remember.

Prepare Your Sensory-Challenged Kid Beforehand

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Your primary agenda is to make sure that going to Disneyland will not be the first time that your child will be around a lot of people. As a test, you may take them to a natural park near your house. If they don’t react adversely to it, you can try bringing them to a mall. Though the sensory-challenged kid may not get used to the setting entirely, they will not freak out when they see a crowd at least.

Learn About Every Attraction Early

Knowledge is power, especially when we are talking about the rides that your child can try. Most theme parks have websites that you can visit these days, and they provide information about every attraction that they have. You should read about all of them to figure out which ones to avoid.

Pick The Least Busy Time

It is always best to be at the theme park as soon as it open. The benefit of doing so is that you can ascertain that a guest assistant will be available to help you throughout the day. You can also make sure that the entire staff knows about your child’s disability. This way, no one will try to shake their hand or talk to them, regardless of how friendly the characters may be.

In her book, “Too Loud, Too Bright, Too Fast, Too Tight,” Sharon Heller, PhD, tackled the sensory processing disorder experience. She wrote, “People with a severe case suffer hair-rising sensitivity to barely noticeable stimuli. A gentle hand on their shoulder can feel like a claw if you suddenly pat their back.”

Take Your Child’s “Must-Haves” With You

Going to a theme park can make your child susceptible to different trigger factors. Not to mention, their exhaustion can increase their crankiness over time.

As explained by Aimee Piller, PhD, OTR/L and Joseph Barimo, EdD, MBA, CCC-SLP, “When the nervous system is in a state of high alert, attention is difficult, and a child’s frustration tolerance tends to be lower.”

To prevent an episode, therefore, you should bring noise-canceling headphones or earplugs to shield them from the sounds. If their sense of sight gets overwhelmed easily, feel free to bring sunglasses, too.

Final Thoughts

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You are not a bad mom or dad for allowing your disabled child to do what they want, even if it is technically against protocol. As long as the doctor allows it, then there is no reason for you not to take your beloved son or daughter anywhere.

Good luck!…

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After years of planning how to make the available space more conducive to Tampa’s inhabitants and the tourists who come to the place, Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park was launched to the public in the year 2010 as an integral part of the Riverwalk project. Tampa already had a park before the latter’s conception. However, it was a bit isolated from the rest of the city and sort of restricted access to the river. For this reason, its administrators decided to do a major reconstruction. The square is close to where the demolished Curtis Hixon Hall was located. It also leads down to the serene river that is the main highlight of the grounds.

There are many things an individual or a family can do in the Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park. Fountains have been strategically built all over the gardens, for one. They are refreshing to look at, especially when you are resting on the terraces or pavilions situated in the vicinity. If you have come to the park with your kids or dog(s), the municipality has made sure that there will be playgrounds created for both humans and animals to attract a higher number of visitors.

In their research on the vital psychological role that nature plays in our lives, Rachel Kaplan, Ph.D., and Stephen Kaplan, Ph.D.,  finds that, “[d]esign can also encourage learning and exploration by creating spaces that are not immediately interpreted but allow discovery through sensory exploration.”

Because of the vastness of the greenspace, it is no longer surprising either that it has become an event location for leisurely activities. In truth, it is now a venue for art shows, live musical performances, yoga classes, and many more.

In just a short period, the Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park’s reputation has changed positively. It is now even known as Tampa’s very own town square since a lot of folks love to experience a bit of nature in the city.

How Can A Visit To Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park Provide Sensory Support?

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The basic idea is that everyone has to develop their five senses: touch, sight, smell, hearing, and taste. It comes naturally for most individuals, but for some, they need a little help in that department. That is one of the main reasons why going to a park like Curtis Hixon’s in Tampa, Florida is a great thing.

“It helps to be well-versed about the benefits of exposure to natural light, the mood benefits of moderate exercise and the fact that we’re not built to be sedentary,” Jennifer Lager, PsyD, says.

While some trees and pavilions offer shade, you can sit or lie down on the grass. In truth, you may even run around and not be afraid of getting bruised because of the cushioning that the soil provides. You can also feel the wind and the sunlight against your skin. Of course, since it is an open ground, you will be able to see what other park-goers are doing, as well as hear the songs that they may be playing or singing. If you go there during a special event, you may even join in the festivities.

“Like many business people, my job is sedentary and indoors. I try to step outside even for just a few minutes to take some deep breaths of fresh air and feel the sun on my skin,” Dr. Jamie Long, PsyD, says.

To Sum Things Up

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Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park is a gift in so many ways. Not only does it offer a new cool hangout for the citizens of Tampa, but it can also cater to individuals who have sensory-processing issues. Anytime you visit Florida. Therefore, you should not miss a chance to spend a day in this park.

Cheers!…