Helpful Preparation for Parents with Disabilities

Sure, there’s no amount of baby-proofing and guidebooks that can truly prepare a person for the various trials parenthood presents. However, there are always things we can do in our lives to help provide some sense of security - especially when our life circumstances provide specific challenges like the ones that come along with a physical disability. If you have dreams of starting a family someday and you live with a disability, consider starting on some of these helpful preparations today to curate a safe home environment and stable financial situation. Having these things in line means you can fall back on them when the unexpected aspects of parenthood inevitably surprise you.

A Safe Family Home

People that live with a physical disability often make various adjustments or even major renovations around the house to make living there more accessible. While not all people need each and every modification available, it is sometimes better to go above and beyond with accessibility features when you plan to bring children into the home. 

​Let’s face it: kids are a handful, so when you already have issues with mobility or other physical ailments, a little extra home accessibility can be a big help.

• Remove any loose carpeting or rugs. Carpets can get caught in wheelchair or walker wheels which can cause slipping, and rugs are a tripping hazard. Start working on removing carpets and transitioning to hard surface floors. Bonus: they are easier to keep clean!
  
  
• Door knobs can be difficult for people who struggle with dexterity, especially in the hands. Switching out knobs for levers makes getting in and out of rooms easier-- especially if you are also juggling a toddler and her toys.
  
  
• Install vent fans in high-humidity areas to evaporate moisture and prevent slips.
  
  
• Replace older faucets with newer models that have motion-activated sensors so you can turn water on and off with a wave of your arm.
  
  
• Grab bars in the bathroom add a sense of security in the most hazardous room of the house while also providing an extra hand when sitting down and getting up before and after bathtime. 

Saving Money for Parenthood

While there may never be a “perfect time” to have a baby, waiting until you have some sort of financial stability is definitely worth considering - especially if you live with a disability. Unfortunately, because of factors like the country’s broken healthcare system and its astronomical costs, families whose heads of household also live with a disability are more likely to experience economic disadvantages than parents without them. 

That’s why it is so important to start saving for the costs of parenthood as soon as you are able. Seek the advice of an experienced financial planner on how to cut down on costs and make the most of your income so you can start saving for the $165,000 it takes to raise a child. 

In addition to saving, people living with disabilities need to take advantage of personal assistance services before and leading up to their lives as parents. Getting used to the system and how to make it work for you takes time and practice. Even if you don’t think you “deserve” personal assistance services, you do - your taxes pay for them, after all. Furthermore, your future children deserve to have a parent that is happy, healthy, and taken care of themselves. If you can’t justify taking advantage of personal assistance services for yourself, do it for them. 

There is a lot about parenthood you can’t prepare for, but when you live with a disability, you have to do some preparation. Start working on home renovations and modifications that make your place safer and more accessible for parenthood today. Work on establishing a budget, building savings, and learning how to acquire personal assistance programs early on so you have that safety net as well. Being prepared in these two important ways gives you the freedom to handle the other crazy things parenthood eventually deals out. ​

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Ashley Taylor is a disabled mother of two wonderful, amazing, energetic children. She met her husband, Tom, while doing physical therapy. Tom had suffered a spinal cord injury due to a car accident and uses a wheelchair for mobility. Ashley and Tom knew they wanted children and knew they would have to adapt their lives and home in order to make this dream come true. Ashley is happy to say that they are the proud parents of two healthy, wonderful children and their disabilities haven’t stopped them from leading a happy, fulfilling life. ​