Emotional Recovery and Mental Health after Disability

Overcoming Recurring Depression: Tim Gilmer writes about his battles with recurring depression post-injury, highlighting the importance of recognizing symptoms, maintaining routines and seeking support through therapy and peer groups.

Overcoming Depression: This article by the late Richard Holicky explores methods of combating depression for wheelchair users, including counseling, medication and lifestyle changes.

8 Steps to Understanding and Improving Your Emotional Health After Disability: Offers a step-by-step guide for managing emotional health after disability, emphasizing acceptance, identity rebuilding, and mental wellness tools.

Self-Worth, Shame and Spinal Cord Injury: Discusses how spinal cord injuries can deeply impact self-worth and identity, and offers strategies for moving past internalized shame and cultivating self-acceptance.

How Meditation Helps Me Deal With Disability Grief: Greg Moomjy has tried many things to shed “disability grief,” including talk therapy and boxing, but what he finds most effective is silent meditation that allows him a safe space to feel and understand his emotions.

Peer Support and Community Resources

The Power of Peer Support: Describes the value of peer support networks for people with spinal cord injuries, showcasing real-life stories of connection, empathy and shared growth.

United Spinal Chapter Network: A directory of regional chapters providing community, education and advocacy for wheelchair users.

United Spinal Peer Support Groups: Lists available peer-led support groups, including local and online options for wheelchair users.

Healthy Lifestyle Activities

Adaptive Yoga: Explores the benefits of adaptive yoga in enhancing mental and physical well-being, flexibility, and self-awareness for people with mobility disabilities.

Finding Sisterhood and Sport in Adaptive Mountain Biking: Highlights the therapeutic and social benefits of adaptive mountain biking for women with disabilities, fostering empowerment and connection.

Adaptive Surfing and Wave Skiing: Discusses the mental and physical rewards of participating in adaptive surfing, emphasizing joy, freedom and increased confidence.

The Many Feathers of Accessible Birding: Introduces accessible birding as a mindful outdoor activity for wheelchair users that brings peace, focus and a deeper connection to nature.

Outdoor Tracks: Fly Fishing Fun: Highlights the meditative and rehabilitative qualities of fly fishing, encouraging outdoor engagement and mental clarity.

Active Project – Kelly Brush Foundation: A hub for adaptive sports and recreation programs that promote an active lifestyle and emotional resilience for individuals with disabilities.

Mind-Body Practices and Talk Therapy Options

Breathwork – Cleveland Clinic: Explains breathwork techniques for reducing anxiety and managing stress, featuring medical insights and step-by-step guides.

Box Breathing for Wheelchair Users: Teal Sherer shows how to do “box breathing,” her go-to exercise whenever she’s feeling stressed, anxious or having trouble sleeping.

Non-Sleep Deep Rest: In this 10-minute meditation, Stanford neuroscientist  Andrew Huberman of guides you through a Non-Sleep Deep Rest protocol to reduce day-time fatigue, improve focus and reduce stress.

BetterHelp: An online therapy platform providing access to licensed counselors for those seeking mental health support from home.

Talkspace: Offers online therapy and psychiatry services tailored to individual needs, helping users manage stress, anxiety, and other mental health concerns.