You may be reading this because you have a disability, or someone you love or are caring for has a disability, or maybe you have an interest in the issue.

It may be helpful to offer a definition of the words disability and impairment:

Impairment can be defined as: the loss or limitation of physical, mental or sensory function.

Disability can be defined as: a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on a person's ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities. (Equality Act 2010)

Disability may also be defined as: the loss or limitation of opportunities to take part in society on an equal level with others due to physical and social barriers. (Social model definition)

People with disabilities may include:

People with a physical disability, people who are blind or partially sighted, people who are deaf or hearing impaired, people with learning or intellectual disabilities, people with long term illnesses, people with mental health or psychological difficulties, and people with brain injury. Disabilities may have been present from birth or acquired.

Having a disability is more than just not being able-bodied. There can be many issues associated with a disability. It can impact on many aspects of a person's life, which may include:

• Impairment
• Pain
• Access issues
• Equipment and aids
• Fatigue - from the condition, pain, or effort of doing things
• Relationships
• Sex
• Lifestyle and family life
• Housing situations
• Work
• Financial implications
• Transport
• Loss on many levels - maybe loss of what was and loss of hopes for the future
• Uncertainty - of prognosis and/or making plans
• Sense of self and self-image
• Limited support and role-models
• Attitudes and responses of other people (real, perceived or anticipated)
• Partners and families may also be affected by some of the above.

Feelings may include:

Anger, sadness, frustration, resentment, loss, guilt, fear, anxiety, uncertainty, loneliness, excluded, different, with possible depression, low mood or low self-esteem.

What wording do you use - do you describe yourself, or someone else, as 'disabled' or 'having a disability' ? Does disability define you or the other person, or is it just a part of who you or they are?

It can be said that it is not just the impairment but society that disables people through societal attitudes and barriers.

Disability acknowledges that for a person there are some, possibly significant, limitations. But maybe there are things that can still give life satisfaction and meaning.

If you want to discuss any issues around disability, or any other difficulties, then counselling can help you to look at these and find a way forward.

I have specialist interest and experience in issues around disability. I can accommodate people with various disabilities and the venue where I work has wheelchair access. Home visits may also be offered where necessary. Please phone if you wish to discuss your particular needs.

Debbie Ruskin.