Personal Matters

• 1). Empower yourself with knowledge. Learn as much as you can about your condition and how to manage it. Be conscious of your symptoms and how they impact your physical well-being. Be familiar with your medications. Make sure you understand the reason you are taking a drug and what side effects to watch out for. If there is anything about your care or your health that you are not clear about, ask questions.
  
  
• 2). Choose the best healthcare providers to fit your needs. A long-term disability means a close partnership with a team that might include physicians, physical therapists and home health aides. Recognize your own style and know your needs. In order to be your own advocate and maintain your knowledge level, find a doctor that is a good fit for you. A doctor who discourages questions or does not have time for them may not be your best choice.
  
  
• 3). Involve your family in your growing process. The more they know about what to expect, the more they will be able to help you and the less fearful they will be. Help them appreciate the seriousness of your status but clarify any misconceptions they might have about your condition. Maintain an atmosphere of openness where everyone is free to discuss their concerns, their worries and their sadness but also their joys and accomplishments.
  
  
• 4). Stay active and don't isolate yourself. Keep working if you can. Explore ways that your workplace might be able to accommodate you. Think creatively and be open to doing things in a new way. If working is not feasible, many organizations value volunteers. Stay in touch with friends and help them to feel comfortable with your new status while recognizing you are still you. Maintain involvement in your hobbies as much as you can.
  
  
• 5). Remember to laugh. Often. While there has been much anecdotal support of laughter being good medicine, scientific studies have backed this theory up. In 2009 researchers based at Loma Linda University found that subjects in their laughter group had an improvement in cholesterol, stress levels and inflammatory response compared to the control group. Watch funny movies; share stories with friends and family. Laughter is not only good for you physically, it fosters emotional connections with others as well.
  
  

Legal and Financial Concerns

• 1). Learn your insurance coverage inside and out to ensure that you get all the benefits you are entitled to. You may be assigned a Case Manager to help coordinate your care. It will be invaluable to forge a good relationship with this person. If you do not have a Case Manager, enlist the help of a friend or family member to assist you in coordinating your insurance matters.
  
  
• 2). Be aware of your rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This Federal Law offers many protections and addresses every aspect of being disabled, from working to being able to have access to a theater.
  
  
• 3). Engage a financial adviser to help you keep your finances in order. Some specialize in helping people with disabilities and they are aware of benefits you are eligible for that you might not have known about.