Coping with physical disability?

Lime can see again! That eye is healed!

I have edited my words below to reflect this good news. [/color][/b]

my friend Kiki, whom you know as Lime, had some sort of accident at the time of the original posting or at least was caught in the crossfire of some sort of accident. One of my best friends may have been completely blind through no fault of her own... It's not the first time this sort of thing has happens (I'm keeping that spelling error) either

Lime has been blind in her left eye for as long as I've known her. Apparently something happened when she was 6 and it traumatized her and her sister (who was there to see it) really badly. The incident left her with a blind white eye and a short scar below the eye just on her cheek ... But apparently that "something" happened again and struck her in the right eye and also left a cut that is "eerily symmetrical to the scar on her cheek. " and again, both the twins were there.

[color=blue]Edited from here onwards to reflexes Lime's condition. . [/color]

Her eye is healed! Will still be taking antidepressants though, she admitted to us that she had felt a lot worse than she was letting on, even before the accident, and though her sister was great at keeping that in check, she took my advice a while ago and it has been helping quite a bit, apparently

[color=red]For your convinience my question is down here if you don't want to read all that stuff or have read it already by forgot the question. [/color]

But this got me thinking (once Cherry, her parents and I calmed down after hearing the news) of those who lead normal and productive lives despite physical disabilities that leave the person worse off that just blindness... How do they do it? I'm thinking I should google some inspirational shit to read to Kiki just in case, I don't know.

But seriously, how do those people do it? How do those people live such fulfilling lives being pyisicaly disabled in some way not just limited to blindness? Like being born without certain limbs or being deaf or those diseases and disorders that make moving your muscles hard, if not impossible?

And to those who took the time to pray for her, thank you! I think they helped.

Everyone has to go through hardships in life. Some of it isn't as bad as others, but no one goes through life happy and unharmed.

I work with a lot of different people in the hospital and needless to say there are those who through only miracles are still on this earth. A lot of the people who suffer with disabilities, illnesses and hardships cope in their own way. Some are spiteful towards others and suffer in their own self pity while other face their demons head on and learn to cope. All of this depends on the person and who is around them. I know I like to lend an ear and give my support to those who are suffering, because it's just my nature. Sometimes though people need the space and you give them time to grieve.

All you can really do for your friend is be there for her in any way that you can be. If she needs some space give it to her and if she needs a shoulder to cry on you can do that too. Inspirational stories are good to use, just give her some time to heal first before you start whipping them out. A patient has to grieve before they can learn to rebuild. Also have her voice out her fears, concerns, desires, because she needs to be open about things to start healing and working towards a better future.

The most important thing you can do for her though is to show her love and compassion. From the way you talk about your lover and friends I don't think that should be an issue lol. Be understanding as well because everyone reacts differently to tragedy such as this (anger, depression, denial, etc). If she seems to be detaching herself in any way, becoming too depressed over time, or starts to become harmful of herself or others don't be afraid to seek help for her.... I don't know her personally and maybe she won't ever need it, but just keep an eye on her. I'm a tough person myself, but even I've suffered from depression before and I was thankful to have friends and family notice early; without the support group I have in my life I don't think I could be the person I am today.

In due time that cannot be measured since it's all personal, she will learn to cope and learn to live with whatever may come her way. I can't say that it will be easy, but if you and everyone in her life is there for her then the healing process is already beginning.

I wish you the best for you and your friend, make sure she knows that even strangers can hope for the best and wish her well.

First and foremost, my prayer goes to Lime and all the people around her. I hope she recovers, and I also pray that people around her remains optimistic.

I am a pretty emotional guy. I am easily angered or depressed by one tiny thing that ruins my day. For example, if a package that is supposed to arrive today gets delayed I literally get depressed. However, it works the other way around too. I feel great bliss and happiness by small things. When someone says "thank you" to me when I open a door for them, I feel great and it lasts for several days.

Though mine is not as bad or extreme as others, I do have a physical disability. I can't walk for more than 5 minutes. I have abnormally low stamina which causes me to collapse or even faint if I exercise too hard. My heart rate can go beyond 190 and my vision gets blurry by simply lifting dumbbells or doing push ups.

I may have a physical disability, but I have everything else. I have a loving family, close friends, financially stable, a passion, and the list goes on. What I am trying to say, is that even though I have a physical barrier I have so many great aspects in my life that allows me to remain happy. Sorry if this is not the kind of answer that you were looking for, but I did think this was an appropriate thread to let my thoughts out.

Well what can I say? Everyone has to go through hardships in life, and in your friend's case it struck her bodily functions. Truly sorry to hear anyone go blind from an accident, much more so for the friend of a Fakkuza. I don't know what I can do to help, but hey at least I can pray for your friend. Maybe I'll add in some for you as well so you can take your mind off things.

Nick Vujicic is a good example of a man who was born with disabilities and yet managed to conquer them and live his life to the fullest and even more without letting his body weigh him down. Man was born without any functional limbs (limbless, literally) and yet nothing could stop him from marching on towards his goals.

Just tell your friend:'Don't let anything get to you and you'll be OK in no time.' At least that's the way I see things.

You know, something else I've been thinking about...
Those accidents that led to Lime's eye becoming messed up as a kid... I was given the full details about it finally, but it still isn't much more than Cherry and I already knew about it. But it couldn't have been an accident, I mean, you're just walking down the backyard when seemingly out of nowhere something jabs your eye and leaves a short but deep gash on your cheek... And then about 16-17 years later the exact same thing happens to the other eye and cheek with the only difference being walking down a sidewalk? They don't know what exactly caused these things to happen, but I don't think it's coincidence that both eyes and cheeks were damaged in the exact same way with "eerie symmetry" (as mentioned above) but it didn't seem like anyone was there to do it either. I'm confused about this, but i do fear for their safety.

If she or anyone suspects foul play then it should be reported to the authorities. Other then that it could have been some freak incident that looks similar to the previous one. It is odd to have another injury happen in a similar fashion, but it can still be stroke of bad luck. Could look at it like a person being stuck by lightning more then once. You can voice your concerns to your friend if it bothers you, but I wouldn't push it since the immediate issue is with her physical injuries (again unless something is seriously suspected that can be reported).

Again, all you can do is support her, love her and be there for her. Even if there is more to how this went down, unless she's open to talking about it you just have to be a supportive friend.

It simply comes down to strength of will.

Either to prove it to others, or to prove it to yourself- you're stronger than whatever it is that's trying to hold you back.


I'm not crippled, but I do have minor disabilities. They're just annoyances really (I can't look up- I have to twist from the waist if I want to look at something above me), and I've lost a lot of strength in my left arm- particularly once I try to lift anything above my shoulder. I compensate by shifting my balance/posture when working.

Just gotta work around it. Accept your new circumstances, and figure out how to cope.


Of course- the loss of one's senses is much more than a physical disability; losing one of your ways to navigate and communicate with the world.


But if there's one thing that people are good at, it's our ability to adapt.

I thought this as well while reading your OP.

And Lime should be discharged from the hospital if all goes well. They don't know if her sight will be restored once her eye heals, but they claim it will be unlikely. We'll just have to wait and see and in the meantime take care of her the best we can and I'll try to act as though nothing happened in terms of some of the stuff we do... I mean, I still want her to be able to enjoy herself when hanging out with us, but how can she enjoy a room of sad people?

Just take it day-by-day. You all can't help that this was a tragedy, but by doing things and trying to not wallow in self pity it will get easier over time. Just realize that the main focus is your hurt friend so you'll just have to be as positive and supportive as you can be. The days that are bad, cry it out and do something relaxing. The days that are good, do something fun and exciting. Try to find activities that she can do without sight such as karaoke night, eating really yummy take-out food, listening to awesome music, dancing in an open space. Over time she'll learn to do more and more, but just take it slow for now.

Communication is key as always. Tell her how much she is loved and how much she is needed. Reassure her that she is kind, beautiful, strong, and a great person who will get through this. Cry with her when you feel like it and cry in private when you have to as well. Again, this is going to be rough, but even through the harshest of tragedies you can find strength.

Bumping because I share good news!

Earlier today Lime tried to open her injured eye and could see a bit of light peeking through the eyepatch!
She isn't tottaly blind! Granted, I doubt her eyesight will be any better than before the incident... In fact it will probably be worse, but a visit to her eye doctor for some new prescription glasses or contacts should fix that.

But yeah, it still needs time to heal, but she isn't tottaly blind! This topic will stay for the purpose of talking about the topic at hand of "how do people cope with disabilities?"

Great news! At least she's not completely blind. Hope she gets better soon.