Being in a wheelchair is certainly not the easiest thing to have to deal with in life. As a result, you might find yourself going through “wheelchair depression:” feeling helpless, misunderstood, and possibly frustrated. You may be discouraged and unmotivated by your physical limitations, but you’re only as limited as you think you are. Here are some tips to help you cope with being in a wheelchair:

Give yourself time to accept being in a wheelchair

You’re not going to be able to immediately accept the idea of being in a wheelchair and that’s completely understandable and expected. After all, it’s an extremely life-changing event that will need a lot of time to get used to. So, it’s good to allow yourself time to come to terms with your disability.

You’re not by yourself, so seek support

You shouldn’t feel like being in a wheelchair is only your concern just because other people may not understand how it feels. Your friends and family are there to provide you support whenever you need it. It’s also a good idea to join support groups with others facing the same problem to remind yourself that you’re not on your own.

Occupy your time with meaningfulness

Just because you’re in a wheelchair that doesn’t mean you can’t live a meaningful and fulfilling life. Your wheelchair may make it a bit more complicated to do some of the things you did before, but that shouldn’t stop you from doing what you want to do. Explore new interests and hobbies that will keep you occupied, rather than focusing on your disability.

It’s your life, live it how you want to

Most importantly, “wheelchair depression” is directly related to your own personal attitude and perception of the situation. Staying pessimistic about the situation won’t make you feel any better. If you choose to not let your wheelchair bother you, you’re more likely to have a positive outlook and still be able to enjoy your life.