“Mobility issues” is an umbrella term that encompasses many different forms of limitation in flexibility and general movement capacity. They can include difficulty supporting yourself, a lack of strength, balance issues, or perhaps more defined disabilities, such as those who may rely on a wheelchair for to most of their movement needs.

Now, because this casts such a wide net, it’s true that many different causes can contribute to someone experiencing this ailment. Injury is of course the most obvious, but certain diseases, illnesses, or difficulties can too. Heightened inflammation can sometimes be a culprit, as can arthritis, or conditions such as chronic pain and fibromyalgia.

While it wouldn’t be prudent to list every single condition here, those who have mobility issues tend to notice. It’s important to work closely with your healthcare provider and take heed of any recommendations they make.

In this post, we hope to provide some helpful insights you can use to adapt to this new reality and secure the best quality of life possible despite it. However, if anything in this post runs counter to the direct guidance of your medical provider, always disregard it. With that disclaimer out of the way, let’s begin:

Readjust Your Routine

Your routine may be the first to change. Perhaps that morning walk with your dog takes a little more time to achieve, or you pay for a dog walker and instead spend your morning doing the best stretches you can.

Or, perhaps you’ll book in gentle massages as recommended by your medical practitioner, or occupational therapy sessions to help you build strength. Perhaps you’ll need to adjust your morning commute now that driving isn’t quite as easy as it had been. It’s not easy to make these adjustments, but start gently and let your routine accommodation you for now, building in complexity later.

Discuss Your New Normal With Employers

Talking to work about mobility changes feels awkward. Many people worry about being seen differently or losing opportunities, or perhaps seeming less capable. But most employers would rather know how to help than watch a good worker struggle. Also, yes, mobility issues do define you as less “capable” in one way, but that nowhere implies you’re incapable.

Sure, if it really limits your working capability, such as not being able to attend to construction work as you had been doing, then it’s clear your best path forward is to take disability leave and apply for the best package you can as you seek other opportunities.

But if not, simple workspace adjustments often help a great deal and will be present, such as moving to a desk closer to the bathroom, shifting meeting rooms to the ground floor, or allowing remote work on bad days, all of which thoughtful employers should allow. They might even be understanding if you need to take a day off on short notice. Being open about your needs usually works out better than trying to push through discomfort, especially if you have a kind manager willing to accommodate you.

Learn To Unapologetically Negotiate Public Spaces

Unfortunately, public spaces weren't designed with mobility issues in mind. Disability access is generally getting better in some cities but not always. This means you may find narrow aisles, heavy doors, or a lack of ramps to begin with, and these things become obvious once you start noticing them. You may see the world in a brand new way.

Learning to ask for help without feeling bad about it takes practice, especially if you’re not great at being assertive. But take comfort in the fact that most people actually want to help when asked. Taking the elevator instead of stairs, using disabled parking spaces when needed, or asking someone to reach a high shelf are good examples, but you may need help crossing a road, or ask someone to provide you with their seat should they be fully able-bodied.

Don’t worry, these aren't signs of weakness but smart ways to save energy for important things, and a sign that yes, you have increased need, but shouldn’t have to justify yourself for additional seeking accommodations. There’s nothing to be ashamed about here.

Grant Yourself Small Comforts

When navigating your day-to-day with a reduced capability, especially with mobility, you may start relying on alternative therapies that seem to help. We’d recommend never choosing something that opposes or hinders your officially prescribed medical treatment, no matter how great the promises are.

However, we’d also suggest that little adjustments and comforts may be more than acceptable despite the treatment you’re having. For example, joint pain relief cream might help you soothe inflammation. You may find comfort in green tea, which has powerful antioxidants in it. On top of that, some swear by applying for a medical cannabis license, especially for conditions such as arthritis.

With this advice, we hope you can more easily and appropriately adapt to mobility issues as time goes on, and feel confident and comforted in a new, managed normal.

How To Confidently Adapt To Mobility Issues