A Message from Dr. Lasich

Because more and more people are asking me to fill out disability paperwork, I grapple with the dichotomy between ability and disability. As a rehabilitation specialist, I am trained to focus on helping someone remain as independent as possible by developing abilities. Through the years, I have seen the importance of attitude for battling back from an injury. Thus, when someone is ready to give up and throw in the towel, I want to push back and say, “You can do more than you realize”. A good coach, commander, or teacher can push and pull someone into a higher potential.

Bringing ability into focus is my goal in my clinic and in this month’s newsletter. Ability is underrated and undervalued sometimes. Take a moment to get inspired by those who have battled back and have embraced ability.

On the Journal Frontline: Disability is a State of Mind
by Christina Lasich, M.D.

In these troubled economic times, more and more people are claiming to be “totally” disabled. What constitutes total and complete disability? Is someone with no arms or legs totally disabled? Certainly. How about someone in a vegetative state with a severe brain injury? Certainly. How about a blind person? How about back pain? That is when the lines start to blur. Some people seem to be pushing the limits of total disability and wearing it like a badge of honor.

By definition disability is “any restriction or lack resulting from an impairment of the ability to perform an activity in the manner or within range considered normal for a human being” (WHO, 1980). If an abnormality of psychological or physical function prevents one from executing a task, then that would constitute a disability. That part is clear. But, what is “total” disability? Naturally, the word “total” implies 100%. No use of mind, arms, and legs seems pretty “total”—100%. What about just the loss of one arm? What about one leg? Where should society draw the line on so called “total” disability? Think carefully because this is tax payer’s money—your money.

Lately, many soldiers have been returning from Iraq and Afghanistan without one or even multiple limbs. The rehabilitation process begins with relearning basic life functions like walking and self-care. Prosthesis technology is improving with this new war. (Some of the greatest advancements in medicine arise in times of war.) The rehabilitation process would be incomplete if that soldier thought that he/she was “totally” disabled. Total disability implies that he/she could do nothing. However, many disabled veterans are discovering that they can do things, just differently. Many are finding new ways to do things and different things to do. This adaptation process is the key to moving forward and living. Soldiers know how to adapt because the battle is always changing. Soldiers are programmed with a survivor attitude— an "I can" attitude

If more people were focused on ability and less on the dollars of disability welfare, the numbers of those claiming to be “totally” disabled would go down. Soon more people would be saying, “I can do that”. The “I can” attitude is incompatible with a disabled state of mind. Those who think they are totally disabled concentrate on their inabilities with an “I can’t” attitude. That type of attitude does not win battles. Someone who has a permanent disability has a choice in how to react to the loss of function. A person is either an “I can” or an “I can’t” person, not both. A person can live life as a victim or as a survivor. Attitude is a choice.

Are you able or disabled? Are you an “I can” or “I can’t” person? Remember, life is more fun if you choose to enjoy it. Those who wish to continue enjoying life and reach full potential will not let a disability become the dark core of self-esteem. Dark places do exist when disability is a primary focus of one’s attention. Battling depression, guilt, and shame is best done with an “I can” attitude. This battle can be won when someone believes in ability.

LIFE Quotes

“Life with an injury is not about what you can’t do; it’s about finding things you can do, just differently.”
– BBC Correspondent (an amputee)

“All serious daring starts from within”
–Eudura Welty

In the News

Apothecary Corner

In head to head studies, diet modifications out performed the "statin" medications for lowering cholesterol and improving lipid profiles in patients.