After spending months in a wheelchair and relearning how to walk, I regained some independence with walking aids, constructing a \u201cnew normal\u201d and finding ways to make things easier in a world that isn\u2019t built for disabled people. Navigating a new way of life through a journey of lots of ups and downs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Life from a New Perspective<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nRediscovering life from a new perspective, I learnt that having a disability didn\u2019t mean my life was over, it was the start of a new chapter. I developed a passion for disability awareness and being part of communities where I can use my strengths rather than focussing on my weaknesses. I now spend some time volunteering with mental health and disability charities, in addition to using my love for creativity by designing & planning content for the disability podcast \u2018lABLEd\u2019<\/em><\/a>. All these spaces highlight experiences, inspiration, and support for young people and individuals within the disabled community. Being part of supportive communities has been essential for knowing I\u2019m not alone and enabled me to build confidence with my new identity.<\/p>\n\n\n\nOver the past few years I\u2019ve started life over navigating new experiences, environments, and challenges. But through it I\u2019ve discovered new strengths, found supportive people, and developed gratitude for life\u2019s simple moments. Having a focus on appreciating the small positives helps me to maintain a positive outlook of life. Even having the opportunity to spend time outdoors makes me happy, as I know making the most of my \u2018good days\u2019 gives me something to remember when dealing with the harder days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Acceptance has been a crucial part of my journey as I\u2019m now proud to use my walking aids instead of viewing them as an inconvenience, appreciating the independence they enable me to have. With the ability of having my own style of glitter crutches for every outfit!<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/wp.purpldiscounts.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Ella-blog1-720x480-1.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nMy Advice for Others<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nMy advice for others is to work with your body rather than against it as pacing myself and resting has helped manage flair ups. Having enough \u201cspoons\u201d to make it through each day (the spoon theory analogy<\/a> is used to describe the limited energy available for daily tasks, with each task requiring spoons) so asking for help is increasingly important. Learning to balance my energy and accepting when to ask for help or rest has been invaluable in managing life with chronic conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\nAlso exploring opportunities, charities, and support or finding interests for relaxation such as art can be hugely beneficial to refocus your mind, looking after your mental health is just as important as your physical health. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Never give up and know that there is always a way for everything to work out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/wp.purpldiscounts.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Varsity-jacket.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe Future<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nIt can be easy to appear okay, but it has also been important to acknowledge that there are difficult days where the smallest tasks feel like a battle, however being surrounded by supportive people is crucial. In addition to knowing that your disability isn\u2019t your identity but an element of who you are. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
As for the future, anything is possible. I am grateful for the awareness and outlook of life my experience has given me, making me more determined to achieve my dreams and to continue sharing hope and support for others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For More Information on FND<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nFND Hope<\/a><\/strong>: the first and only global charity for people with Functional Neurological Disorder. <\/p>\n\n\n\nFND Action<\/a><\/strong>: the first charity to be registered in the UK; supporting those diagnosed with a Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) and advocating for the cause on a national level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nRelated Articles to Living with a Disability<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nFrom Braille Beginnings to a Thriving Business<\/a>
Living with MS: My Journey and Advice for Others<\/a>
My Journey as a Mum After My Son\u2019s Epilepsy Diagnosis<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nPurpl is committed to always getting the best disabled discounts and savings for the disabled community.<\/strong><\/h2>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"When Ella had an accident at the age of 18, her life changed forever. Read about her new perspective on life as a disabled woman.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":47,"featured_media":1339,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[12,4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1338","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-all-articles","category-community-stories"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
Life From a New Perspective - The Accident that Changed My Life - Purpl<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/wp.purpldiscounts.com\/life-from-a-new-perspective-the-accident-that-changed-my-life\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Life From a New Perspective - The Accident that Changed My Life\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"When Ella had an accident at the age of 18, her life changed forever. 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Over the past few years I\u2019ve started life over navigating new experiences, environments, and challenges. But through it I\u2019ve discovered new strengths, found supportive people, and developed gratitude for life\u2019s simple moments. Having a focus on appreciating the small positives helps me to maintain a positive outlook of life. Even having the opportunity to spend time outdoors makes me happy, as I know making the most of my \u2018good days\u2019 gives me something to remember when dealing with the harder days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Acceptance has been a crucial part of my journey as I\u2019m now proud to use my walking aids instead of viewing them as an inconvenience, appreciating the independence they enable me to have. With the ability of having my own style of glitter crutches for every outfit!<\/p>\n\n\n\n My advice for others is to work with your body rather than against it as pacing myself and resting has helped manage flair ups. Having enough \u201cspoons\u201d to make it through each day (the spoon theory analogy<\/a> is used to describe the limited energy available for daily tasks, with each task requiring spoons) so asking for help is increasingly important. Learning to balance my energy and accepting when to ask for help or rest has been invaluable in managing life with chronic conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Also exploring opportunities, charities, and support or finding interests for relaxation such as art can be hugely beneficial to refocus your mind, looking after your mental health is just as important as your physical health. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Never give up and know that there is always a way for everything to work out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It can be easy to appear okay, but it has also been important to acknowledge that there are difficult days where the smallest tasks feel like a battle, however being surrounded by supportive people is crucial. In addition to knowing that your disability isn\u2019t your identity but an element of who you are. <\/p>\n\n\n\n As for the future, anything is possible. I am grateful for the awareness and outlook of life my experience has given me, making me more determined to achieve my dreams and to continue sharing hope and support for others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n FND Hope<\/a><\/strong>: the first and only global charity for people with Functional Neurological Disorder. <\/p>\n\n\n\n FND Action<\/a><\/strong>: the first charity to be registered in the UK; supporting those diagnosed with a Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) and advocating for the cause on a national level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n From Braille Beginnings to a Thriving Business<\/a> When Ella had an accident at the age of 18, her life changed forever. Read about her new perspective on life as a disabled woman.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":47,"featured_media":1339,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[12,4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1338","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-all-articles","category-community-stories"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\nMy Advice for Others<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe Future<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
For More Information on FND<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nRelated Articles to Living with a Disability<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Living with MS: My Journey and Advice for Others<\/a>
My Journey as a Mum After My Son\u2019s Epilepsy Diagnosis<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nPurpl is committed to always getting the best disabled discounts and savings for the disabled community.<\/strong><\/h2>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"