Social distancing   Mitigation.  Isolation.  Safer—at—Home orders.  Terms such as these didn’t have much meaning to most people until the beginning of March.  Now, thanks to COVID 19, such vocabulary has become the new norm in today’s society.  Regardless of background, race, economic status, gender, beliefs, or any other factor, almost every single person in the country has been affected by this pandemic in some way.  Whether its businesses closing leaving you without employment, having to cancel elective medical appointments, concerts and sporting events being canceled, wearing gloves and masks to get groceries… the list is endless.  For most people with disabilities, a pandemic of this magnitude often brings on some unique challenges.

When the pandemic started in early March, I was in the middle of switching care situations (which I will write about another time).  Due to this, things were already in limbo and I didn’t have enough workers as it was.  I was at my parents’ house when Governor Evers placed the state of Wisconsin under a Safer-at-Home order.  That meant most of my care workers I had would be going home, as they are college students and their classes would all be online.  All of a sudden, and for the unforeseen future, we all have had to become homebound.  

At my parents’ house, while I love and appreciate all they do for me, it is totally different living with them again--for now over a month.  First, I laugh because while most people are learning to work from home, I work from home all the time, but now at my parents, I don’t have all the technology, so working looks different.  I’m doing my best. Second, while all my basic needs are met, I’m used to and miss having someone with me just to do what I need and want for a certain number of hours per day.  While my parents help me with what needs to be done, I feel like I can’t be too picky with my needs.  For example, I’m on their schedule, so I have to go to bed much earlier than normal. 

For people with physical disabilities, like myself, social distancing when you require assistance with basic needs is not possible.  For those who do have agencies, or many different people coming into help, the desire for masks and gloves is there, but from what I’m hearing, they are still in short supply.  Personally, I have enough pairs of gloves for my workers, but am not certain about what to do about masks.  Everyone has their own individual preference.

For me, the social isolation, is not really a big deal.  I do miss seeing my aides because I ‘ve become friends with most of them, but I normally don’t go anywhere except the grocery store regularly each week.  For others with disabilities, this might be the worst and most difficult part of this pandemic.  Zoom, Google Hangouts, Skype, and Facetime all help, and are the new normal for us now. 

Entertainment looks different for everyone.  For me, I have stayed close with friends and family, using technology.  I have caught up on many of my shows that I like with Netflix and Hulu.    I also read a lot and have continued to do that.  I have gone out for walks in my parents’ neighborhood, but have not been in any type of stores or restaurants since the order came through. 

Non-essential medical and dental procedures have also been shut down, so I have not been to any doctors since February.  These services have to continue for only the most needed of procedures.  I’ve had to cancel a non-essential test I had scheduled. Early next month, I have to get my Baclofen pump refilled. That can’t be rescheduled, so that’ll be interesting!

The anxiety of when and how our country will open up and return to the normal is a daily concern of everyone.  It may never be like it was before.  People will be apprehensive, so large group gatherings in sporting events, theatres, restaurants, churches, shopping areas, concerts and the like will look different.  It is likely that this will be a slow process. 

I’m hopeful that the curve will begin to turn downward and we start to open up for business as a country soon.  Until then, stay safe and healthy!

***The views expressed here are strictly those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of InControl Wisconsin, the Network or any of our sponsors.