Building Self Confidence in Physically Challenged People

Deafness could not stop Beethoven to compose the ever green 9th symphony, nor could loss of right leg hold back skier Diana Golden from winning endless golden medals. Physically challenged people are equally capable of achieving whatever they want, just like others, and lead a happy and healthy life.

Here is a basic guide on what can be done to inculcate self confidence in the physically challenged people so that they open their eyes to a more promising tomorrow.

Self-Acceptance

The first step is to accept the weakness and understand that they can either live feeling low about their condition or determine to lead a happy life despite of the challenge.

Self-acceptance can be encouraged by allowing them to meet with people who are less fortunate than them. For example, when a person who lost his one hand in an accident watches someone who has lost both the legs and is thus completely dependent on others, he would definitely feel better about himself.

Support from Family and Friends

No one near and dear to the physically challenged person should treat them with sympathy. This will make them pity themselves; which is like a weed to the buds of self confidence. Instead, they should be treated just like other people with respect and love.

Spend time with them and listen to them. Observe if they are having a low self esteem due to their condition. Knowing that their opinion holds importance in family decisions, etc will make them feel special. This helps in diluting their low self esteem.

Being Independent

The physically challenged person must be taught how to be independent for taking their own care. Knowing that they need to depend on other for taking bath, drinking water and other daily chores will never be allow them feel confident.

They need to learn to be independent. There are several schools for physically challenged people who train them to use their other body parts and senses to become independent. Example, those who lose their arms are taught to use their mouth and feet to do their chores.

Learning Self-defense

Once they become capable of self defense they will exhibit tremendous amount of self-confidence.

A blind person can be taught to use their sense of smell and hearing for self-defense. Use of modern day gadgets like sprays and stun guns can also be taught.

Self defense not just boosts self esteem of the physically challenged people but it improves their mental health.

Motivation through Classic Examples

Physically challenged people may hold a high degree of sympathy for themselves. The toughest task while building self confidence in the physically challenged person is dissolving their pessimism to re-kindle a desire to live life to the fullest.

There many classic examples of famous physically challenged people who have lived a great life despite of their physical weaknesses.

John Milton became blind at the age of 43 but this could not come in his way of contributing to English literature.

Tanny Grey-Thompson, an athlete, holds more than 20 world records in Para Olympics and has over a dozen of medals to her credit. She was paralyzed below her waist line at a young age.

Being with the Like

Allow them to interact with people having a similar disability; who have a positive approach towards life. Let them join clubs and centers for the physically challenged people. Confidence, when in abundance, could become contagious.

All these steps help in providing internal and external motivation to build confidence in physically challenged people.