Wednesday, May 6, 2020

Social Isolation

Hello, everyone. This post is long overdue. How are you dealing with this Social Distancing? This is a very difficult time for all of us and I felt like I needed to share how I am feeling and let you all know you aren’t alone.  

Fortunately, or unfortunately, depending on how you look at it, I live alone. From a distancing perspective, this makes it easier for me to isolate to stay healthy. However, it also has a lonely effect on me from a lack of social interaction. I am a people person, for the most part, and social media helps in that way, but to be honest, it doesn’t replace personal face to face interaction. Recently, I was going stir crazy from not going anywhere and not having any face to face interaction. I started to get depressed over this, so I went grocery shopping for food yes, but mostly for some face to face interaction. It felt good to get out and see other human beings and to just be able to say hi to someone else in person.
Some people with disabilities are not able to get out to see other people, even on a limited basis. Having no personal contact can take a toll on anyone mental and emotionally. It’s important for these people to reach out to family and friends and let them know how they are feeling, or to have people reach out to them, to let them to see how the disabled person is doing.
Because of our current situation as a nation, it is recommended that we self- isolate, but please, stay in contact with friends and relatives whether they are disabled or not. Some people with disabilities might not be able to reach out for help on their own, so if we keep in touch with these people through social media or simply the telephone this will help them to know that they are not alone. This will allow the disable person to express how they are feeling and be able to ask for help. It’s also okay for the person calling them to ask if the disabled person is okay because the person might feel like a burden for asking. PLEASE look out for each other. It’s important more now than ever.

I would love it if you would share how you are feeling, what you are doing to keep busy, and any tips you have for getting through this. You never know, your tips might just be what someone else needs to get through this trying time.



2 comments:

  1. Hi James and well said. Living in a big ole city like Toronto some may more may not think it would be easy to be seen and communicate. Not always the case. Getting out and just getting the visual stimulation or interaction of "normal" every day activity is key. Even a simple "hello" wave or smile can do wonders. I say hello and thanks you to anyone who looks my way regardless of feed back.

    I spent 6 months of somewhat of a self induced isolation while healing from a foot injury, so this is not new to me. The labels that media puts on things such as this, can really put a mental toll on people without them thinking about it and before you know it, we have terms like "lock down" being used in our daily vernacular.

    I also don't believe enough is being said to thank or give credit to the people who are actually fighting through the virus. After all, when they come through it ,they will see the words and gestures from others, so they should know that people out there care.

    Reach out and call, someone or say hi when you can. It can make the difference.

    Hugs real or virtual.

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  2. Thank you so much for your response, Scott. It is true, just a simple hello to or from someone can make a huge difference.
    You are right about the labels they put on things like lockdown and all of the scary stuff going on. It can take a mental and emotional toll on you.
    And yes, we need to thank everyone on what has been call the front line putting their lives on the line for all of us. Thanks again.

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