On this day of celebrating our national independence, I think it is appropriate to also evaluate where we stand in our personal lives as it relates to being independent. Are your activities of daily living being performed by you, or are you counting on other’s to help meet your basic needs such as getting out of bed, bathing, dressing, and eating? Many people take these simple tasks for granted. It is only when you loose the strength and ability to walk to the bathroom on your own, or bathe yourself the realization of how blessed you have been sets in. Our compassion usually heightens when we experience for ourselves what the physically challenged individuals must face on a daily basis. On a personal note, just having a minor surgery enlightened me to the difficulty of doing something as simple as pulling a T-shirt over my head in my efforts to get dressed for the day. Albeit a temporary condition, it gave me a greater appreciation for those whom face such a challenge each day. There is an array of products to assist with bathing safely, getting dressed, toileting and more. Explore your options to help you remain or reclaim your independence.
