Winter can be difficult for people with disabilities and chronic illnesses because extreme temperatures and changes in the weather, in general, often trigger pain and flare symptoms. In Florida, we get some cold days, but it is not freezing cold every single day all winter long, and it’s the best time to come to Florida because there is no humidity. When you have a physical disability, it can be hard to get warm because winter clothes are often not accessible, and it can be very difficult for someone with a disability to put on and take off. I have poor circulation because of my disability, and it doesn’t take much for me to get freezing cold and then be hot five minutes later once I have gotten warm. I love wintertime in Florida and have no plans on moving anytime soon because it’s nice most of the time, and I can go outside all year round, and only occasionally will I have to bundle up. It doesn’t get super cold where I live very often, but when it does, it can be difficult for me to get warm because I can’t do a lot of the things to get warm that a non-disabled person can. How can you stay warm during the winter months when you have a physical disability? In this post, I am sharing a few things you can do to stay warm during the winter if you have a physical disability.
Invest in accessible clothing- In Florida, you don’t see people wearing big, heavy jackets very often because it doesn’t get freezing cold very often, and most of the time we are in sleeveless shirts and shorts. It never gets in the negatives here, but sometimes we do have days where it is in the thirties, and we have to wear a jacket. I am able to dress myself, and if I were wearing an outfit that was too hot, I could easily change without needing to ask for assistance. Some disabled people are not able to dress themselves and have to ask for help when they want to do an outfit change. Disabled people do not always want to bother their caregivers to help them take off their jacket, which is why it’s so important to find accessible clothing that fits your needs, so you don’t have to bother your caregiver to help you every five minutes. Everyone has different needs, and what is accessible for one disabled person may not be accessible for someone else. Find clothes that are accessible for your needs, and if you can’t undo buttons but are able to use a zipper independently, then don’t buy outfits with a lot of buttons. Accessible clothing does exist and will make your life easier when it’s as accessible as it can be.
Wear layers that can be easily removed- Floridians do not usually have to wear a lot of layers, but if you lived in a place where it snowed, I would imagine that you would be wearing layers most of the winter, if not all of it. It can be hard for people with physical disabilities to get dressed, and you may not want to wear something that takes half an hour to put on and can’t be easily removed. Dress in layers that you can easily remove yourself, or that wouldn’t take someone very long to help you. People may not always be available to help you remove clothes and being hot and there is nothing worse than being hot and not be able to do anything about it.
Have a portable heater at your desk- I don’t own a portable heater because I don’t have any real need for it, but it can be a good option for disabled people. It is easy to turn on and off, and a lot of disabled people can use it without requiring any assistance. Make sure you buy a reputable brand and turn it off when you aren’t using it, and keep it at least three feet away from anything that can burn easily.
Invest in an electric throw- I don’t use electric blankets or throws because they get too hot for me, and I would rather bundle up in a bunch of blankets. It can be a good option for disabled people who require more assistance getting dressed, because you can easily adjust the temperature with a click of a button, and the blanket is a lot easier to remove than taking off a sweater. Electric throws are not going to be for everyone, and some people may be sensitive to the heat and won’t like them. In these instances, you can bundle up in a bunch of blankets that can easily be thrown on the floor when you get hot.
Drink a hot beverage- In the summertime, I drink more cold beverages than hot, but in the winter, I do love a good hot beverage. On cold afternoons, I often will make myself a cup of hot tea, and it warms my entire body up within minutes. Make yourself a hot beverage if you are able, because it will warm your body up every single time, and after I drink coffee a lot of the time, I get hot. Some people may choose to drink coffee, but I personally don’t like to flood my body with a bunch of extra caffeine because you don’t need to have a caffeinated beverage, and the most important thing is that it’s hot. Find a hot beverage that you can enjoy and make it for yourself because it’s one of the easiest ways to warm yourself without having to put on a jacket.
Winter time can be tough for anyone, but it can be especially hard for people with disabilities and chronic illnesses because it’s harder to move around when it’s cold out. Disabled people sometimes have circulation issues and have a harder time getting warm because they are more sensitive to the cold. If you are disabled, sometimes you may have to wear slightly different things than non-disabled people to stay warm because not all clothing is accessible, and that is okay. There are a lot of ways you can get warm with a disability, and not everyone is going to do the same things because it depends on where you live. People who live in areas where it snows are going to have to bundle up more than those who live in places that get no snow. Find something that works for you because everyone is going to be different. I don’t wear jeans because they are too tight on my legs and difficult to take off, but some disabled people may have no issues with that. How do you stay warm during the winter months? If you liked this post, please leave a comment below and share it with your friends.
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