HIT: Coping Strategies for Media Specialist with Disability

[JoAnne McDuffee <mcduffee@MINDSPRING.COM>]

Hi, all,  After a recent post for guidance regarding my personal situation
which involves a disability, your responses were very warm and understanding
and helpful.  A summarized HIT seemed in order to share the wealth of
information I received. The HIT is arranged from the general strategies to
those specifically for a person with MS.  Many strategies suggested are ones
all media specialists can use to reduce stress and make life on-the-job more
pleasant.  I hope the information will be as helpful to you as it has been
to me.
Thanks, again,
JoAnne

COPING STRATEGIES FOR THE  MEDIA  SPECIALIST WITH A DISABILITY:
Anyone can become disabled...at any time. And,disabilities range from those
resulting from
accidental injuries to cancer, MS, diabetes, stroke, rheumatoid arthritis,
lupus, gross thyroid
imbalance, back problems,  and many others.
Attitude is the most-often cited coping strategy.
        1.  Attitude of the disabled employee is of primary importance.
                Have a good one!! Be positive. Be a 'non-whiner'. Be friendly. Be
understanding.
                        Be easy-going. Be patient with yourself and others.
        2.  Attitude of the disabled employee's employers, supervisors, and
co-workers on all
                levels makes the workplace more 'user-friendly'.
                Have a good one!!  Be positive.  Be friendly.  Be understanding.  
Be helpful
                        (assist when needed).  Be friendly.  Be supportive.
Become aware of support groups and use them...on-line and in the community.
Become aware of the Americans with Disabilities Act and its guidelines.
Locate ramps and other accommodations already in place and use them when
needed.  Suggest
        needs for new accommodations to assist all disabled persons...students,
teachers,
        parents, etc.  Make these suggestions to the person(s) who will really get
things done.
Assess one's own situation.Individuals know best the requirements of his/her
own media position.
Reduce stress.
        Say, "No", to extra tasks.
        Expect to say, when necessary, "No" or "Not right now", even though one
wants to
                continue saying "Yes" or "Give me one short minute" (Being  Media 
Specialists,
                our want is to provide services as quickly as possible and in 
excess of
what is
                asked... Are we Type A or what??? :) :)
        Stop taking responsibility for things in our immediate media position(s)
for which we
                have no control: budget shortfalls and their accompanying 
shortfalls in book
                counts, automation/technology needs, etc.
        Avoid being harassed or pushed into unpleasant and stressful situations.
        Confide in friends in the workplace.  They will support you and help take
care of you.
        Develop strategies as you go along, so they become perfect for the
individual situation.
        Be an organizer and plan/schedule needs ahead.
        Look objectively at what absolutely has to be done right away...and,
prioritize the rest.
        Take one day at a time...and, Pace oneself...and, Do one thing at a time.
        Maintain your strength.  Get your rest.  Eat well.  Take your prescribed
medications.
                Take your vitamins.  Follow doctor's orders.
        Smile as often as possible...and, Be assertively courteous.
        Try meditation of your choosing to reduce stress...and/or, Get a beautiful
picture of
                scenery that you love and use it as a focal point when you're 
stressed.
 Ask for and use help when you need it...the need may be major or minor.
Small needs
        unmet can grow and 'fester' and create really gargantuan needs as a result.
        Create a group of library volunteers among the students.
        Hold the handrail when using the stairs. :)  :)
Keep humor in your life.  A good laugh can relieve stress.   Examples:
humorous movies,
        videos and TV shows, 'funnies'  posted in the media office and/or media
center, etc.
Read:   Steven Covey books...'Chicken Soup' series...Simple Abundance
(uplifting thoughts)
        A View from Saturday, by E. L. Konigsburg...this year's Newbery.
Additional Helpful thoughts provided by media specialists...
All you can do is all you can do...and, Hang in there as long as you feel
comfortable with the job.
People remember you and your courage long beyond recalling what level of
organization and
        perfection your program reached.
You were hired for professional expertise, not physical stamina and prowess.
'Physical stuff' can be done with verbal direction from the media specialist.
Able-bodied is sometimes a state of mind...and, Offer your best and worry
not about the rest.
Remember that a bad day in the media center is better than a good day
almost-anywhere-else.
If your mind still works, so can you...and, Keep looking up...God is a good God.

With MS, in particular:
Symptoms may come and go...and, Remissions are possible.
There are as many 'types' of MS as there are victims, it seems.  Each case
is a bit different from
        and a bit like the others, usually.
Expect that there will be some 'good days' and some 'not-so-good days'.
Read... THE MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS DIET BOOK  by Dr. Roy Swank & Barbara Dugan.

Heat, fatigue and stress are the greatest enemies.
Stay cool.
        Use A/C and fans together.  Limit activity...physical, especially...in the
absence of cool.
Reduce stresses...physical and mental.
        Try to do typing, data entry, etc. when well-rested...morning hours of the
school day.
        Do one thing at a time...walking and talking at the same time may be
hazardous. :)  :)  ,
                (Sounds funny, but it is very true.)
        Get a rolling stool for lower shelf work...and, Get a rolling chair for
inventory work.
                Get a set of rolling steps with a handrail...for safety in high 
places.
        Take notes...especially about new information and/or technology things.
        Get help with heavy boxes, books, equipment, etc. that need to be lifted
and/or moved.
        Eliminate tasks that require you to crawl under tables, workstations, etc.
Ask for help!!
Get enough rest.
        Find your way to deal with the pervasive fatigue that comes with MS.
                Limit extra activities after school hours...and, Introduce naps 
into your
days.
                Rest well when you rest. Eliminate reading before sleeping, it this 
keeps you
                        awake past your bedtime.
        Be very careful when you are tired. Know your limits and don't exceed them.
                              Remember that you may be the one who will
drive you safely home at day's end. :)

JoAnne McDuffee
mcduffee@mindspring.com