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Sometimes you can be in the middle of another ordinary day when something comes out of nowhere and changes everything. The unexpected nature of an accident means it can have a considerable impact on your life, and things can change in a split-second. 

After an accident, it is natural to feel a wide range of different emotions. You may struggle to accept what has happened, and your physical and mental health may be suffering. 

Getting Back to Physical Health

Of course, if you have been in an accident, you should get checked by a doctor to make sure that you are physically well and to get any injuries you may have sorted out. Follow the advice from your doctor on whether you are well enough to work, and what household tasks you can do and which ones you should get help with.

While recovering from your accident, it is essential to follow the doctor’s advice on what you should and should not be doing, to ensure that your recovery process is as speedy as possible. You may need to take pain killers to keep your discomfort under control, but you should seek medical advice so that you know that you are taking the correct dosage.

Taking Care of Your Emotional Health

Being involved in an accident is never a pleasant experience, and can take a significant toll on your emotional health. You are likely to experience a wide range of emotions as you process what has happened. If you feel that the accident is making your mental health suffer, then you should always seek out professional medical advice, and speak to someone that you trust about how you are feeling. Having family and friends around you can be a great support during a difficult time. Even if you do not feel like speaking to them about the accident, spending time around other people or at least chatting on the phone can make a big difference in helping you feel better.

You may find it useful to speak to a therapist so that you can talk through your emotions and work your way through the feelings that have been created by the accident. 

Practical Considerations

Although your priority when recovering from an accident will be your health and wellbeing, it is also essential to spend a little time sorting out the practical considerations too. If sorting out the practical side of things seems a bit much to do, prioritize the most important things and make sure everything urgent is handled quickly. Getting the practical stuff out of the way will leave you to focus on getting yourself better, without any worries hanging over you. Practical things to think about getting sorted include; letting your place of employment know about your situation, paying bills, the insurance claim, and childcare arrangements (if you have kids).

When dealing with the practical side of the aftermath of an accident, you may also want to consider consulting a personal injury lawyer to see if they can help you to make a claim if the accident wasn’t your fault.

Take it Easy on Yourself

Recovering from an accident is often a time filled with upset, worry and anxiety, this means that as you begin to recover both physically and emotionally, you will need to be kind to yourself. If you are unable to do things that you would typically be able to do it can feel incredibly frustrating, but remember, there is nothing to say that you won’t be able to do them again in the future. Taking small steps, rather than trying to charge ahead with your recovery, can be more beneficial in the long term, as you will have given yourself more time to heal properly.

Don’t put yourself under unnecessary pressure to do things that you aren’t yet ready for. Instead, let your body and your mind heal by taking things easy, relaxing and focusing on your recovery. Speaking to friends and family or a therapist about how you feel is an excellent way to get yourself on the road to recovery and will help you form a support network around you to see you through this difficult time.

Make sure that you try to get as much sleep as you need to feel better, and try to eat a little to keep your strength up. Trying to maintain a healthy diet during your recovery will help you include lots of nutrients in your diet, which will help your body to get better faster.

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Death. It is one of those unfortunate things in life we’ve all got to deal with in some way. But when we are dealing with aging relatives, or perhaps our parents, and we know that the end is on the horizon, it could be heartbreaking for us to cope.

But also, if we have children, we’ve got to try and that’s fine balance between grieving healthily and getting on with our lives. What are the best ways to deal with this?

Honest Communication With The Children

It could be very upsetting for you, but it can be upsetting for the children as well, especially if they feel left in the dark. It’s important to communicate with your children as openly and honestly as possible, but spare them the gory details.

This is a very difficult thing to get right. After all, our children want to know why something is happening, but there is a way for us to do it sensitively. Be prepared, your children will get upset, and there is no way of shielding them from this.

Dealing with The Admin Methodically

As frustrating as it can be to deal with probate lawyers, closing bank accounts, and other administrative tasks, we can use it as a way to keep pushing forward.

Grieving healthfully isn’t about sitting in silence, and in fact, dealing with a lot of these little issues that drag out over the months and years can threaten to get in the way of your role as a parent.

Just understand that these things take some time, and as frustrating as it can be that it drags out for so long, as long as you’re dealing with it calmly and ensuring you are not letting the number of tasks overwhelm you, you can approach it in a methodical manner.

Understanding That It Takes Time

Understanding That It Takes Time

Coping with the death of a parent, when we have our own children to look after, is a mixed blessing. On the one hand, we can focus on our children as a coping strategy, but on the other hand, we can focus so much on them, we ignore our own inclination to grieve.

By no means should you avoid grieving, nor should you use your children as an excuse. So many people say they haven’t got time, and there are so many things to do. Make time. It’s important, for your own health and happiness that you dedicate time to go through it.

You may find your emotions get the better of you at the worst possible time, but the grieving process is unique to each and every one of us, and we go through it in our own way. Don’t ignore it.

As difficult as it can be to cope with stresses in life when you’re a parent, when you lose one of your parents, your child’s grandparents, you have to understand the importance of processing the information.

As parents who are too busy, especially in modern life, it seems there is little time for grief- let’s change this.

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Following a bereavement, popular knowledge suggests that people will experience the “five stages of grief”. These five stages are known as the “Kübler-Ross model”, and were first proposed by Swiss doctor Elisabeth Kübler-Ross in her book On Death and Dying in 1969.

Explaining the five stages

According to the Kübler-Ross model, there are five distinct phases of grief:

• Denial
• Anger
• Bargaining
• Depression
• Acceptance

For the majority of people their understanding of grief is based along the same lines. The general belief is that each stage occurs individually, linearly and rather cleanly. For example, if you are experiencing “depression”, this will always be the fourth stage. You will have previously experienced denial, anger and bargaining. You will soon move on to acceptance.

This model has been widely accepted in popular culture and understanding of grief; there’s even an episode of the medical comedy-drama Scrubs entitled “My Five Stages”, where the characters work through the stages in sequence, as described by the model.

The only problem is… this understanding of the “five stages” is actually rather flawed.

The truth about the “five stages”

First and foremost, it’s important to note that Elisabeth Kübler-Ross first presented the five stages in relation to how people who are diagnosed with a terminal illness respond to the news – not as a method of describing how people grieve the loss of a loved one. Secondly, Kübler-Ross went on to criticize her own model, and in particular, the linear way it is presented.

Why is this a problem?

If you have recently lost a loved one, modern culture will have created the idea in your mind that you know what to expect. There’s a certain reassurance in the five stages of grief. At a time of darkness and sadness, it’s somewhat reassuring to know how you might feel and importantly  that you will eventually reach acceptance.

However, if you do not experience these stages in the order expected, it can be extremely troubling. You may find yourself in a situation where the already difficult process of grieving is further complicated by the lack of recognizable “stages”, adding confusion to a period of time in which you are already entirely understandably  struggling to cope.

These issues mean that the standard model of grief can be outright harmful. People know what they expect from grief, only to find themselves blindsided by a range of different experiences. They may find that they experience all five stages of grief, but in a different order; for example, if a loved one dies as a result of the harmful actions of another person, anger – rather than denial – is likely to be the first stage. Alternatively, they may skip some stages entirely; for example, moving from denial to anger, and then to acceptance.

Thinking beyond the Kübler-Ross model

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As we have seen, the five stages of grief is a flawed model.  It was never designed as a model for how relatives of someone who has passed cope with their grief.  Therefore helpful to try and think beyond the Kübler-Ross model and understand what grieving actually involves .  At least as far as it is possible to predict.

Firstly, we have first to acknowledge that no two losses are alike. The way you may feel when grieving someone who has been lost in an industrial accident – a sudden, unexpected death – and how you feel in the aftermath of a loved one passing after a long terminal illness is, obviously, very different.

In the first instance, you may feel a huge amount of anger and shock, and find strength in actions such as contacting the attorneys at the Blumenshine Law Group for legal advice, or writing to your local representative to raise awareness in an effort to prevent such a scenario ever happening again. In the second scenario, you may feel very little shock.

Perhaps even a sense of relief, which is entirely natural.  Sadly,  all grief can be predicted in the same way.

Also, there is a second layer of subjectivity that we must acknowledge: no two people will grieve in the same way.  For example, have twins who lose a loved one; both would have the same experiences, memories and relationship with that loved one.  Both can grieve the loss in very different ways.

The important fact to remember

Given the variances as presented above and the problems of the “five stages” model, grief is likely best approached with an open mind wherever possible. Often, what causes the most harm is the failure to meet an expectation; for example, people often expect to feel incredibly sad, but actually feel somewhat relieved which is natural, but can make the person feel incredibly guilty.

Alternatively, people expect they will cope with death relatively well, only to find that they actually feel far worse than they anticipated, which adds further distress at an already-difficult time.

Instead, it’s helpful to try and see grieving as an experience where anything goes. All emotions and reactions to grief are entirely valid; all are natural; and all are understandable.

No matter how you respond to the loss of a loved one, it’s your experience; it doesn’t need to conform to a model or an expectation – just let it be what it is, talk to someone for support if you feel it would be beneficial, but mostly, just let yourself be.

Finally, it is also worth remembering that grief is incredibly changeable. You may start one day feeling at peace and relatively normal. You’re furious at lunchtime, then sad in the afternoon, and then back to acceptance by the time you are going to bed. Again, this is entirely normal and to be expected.  Try to take each moment as it comes rather than focusing on what might happen next.

In conclusion

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While the five stages of grief have gained huge popularity and are the generally accepted “way” to grieve, in truth, grieving does not adhere to any specific model. Instead, focus on your experience, your emotions, and whatever actions or behaviors may allow you to cope as best you can.

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Having someone you care about die as the result of someone else’s actions can be a very hard pill to swallow. When they have lived a good and honest life, it is unfair that they can be stripped of everything they’ve worked for as the result of negligence, especially when they are at work. Of course, as someone who cares about them, it makes sense that you would want to fight to make something like this better. To help you out with this, this post will be exploring some of the work which can go into fighting back when a person you love is lost to someone else’s poor choices.

Building A Cause

In this sort of circumstance, there will often be something which can be learned from the tragedy you’ve been through. Though it may be hard to see at first, but this can be used as a tool to do good, as long as you’re willing to spend some time thinking about the important aspects of it. If they were killed in a traffic accident which was caused by someone on the phone, for example, you can use your experience as a way to spread a positive message about safety while driving. People listen to those who are grieving, especially when they are passionate about a worthy cause like this.

Making A Case

There are examples of this sort of situation which aren’t covered by criminal law. At work, for example, someone could make a mistake which results in your loved one dying prematurely, and they won’t have to deal with going to prison in return. While they may not feel the full force of the law, you can still apply some of the pressure, using a company like Hughey Law Firm to claim compensation on behalf of your loved one. Not only will this make your life easier, but it will hold the person responsible accountable. Of course, you may even make people more conscious along the way.

Create A Support Network

Finally, as the last area to consider, it’s time to think about the support network you have around you. There are loads of people out there who will have gone through similar experiences to you, giving you something to relate to when you need to talk about your struggles. By creating support networks which can develop into larger groups, you will build something positive out of your loved one’s passing. When you think about them as a person, this is probably something they would want to come from this part of their life, rather than you sinking into grief instead. It’s easy to help each other when you’ve all been through the same struggle.

Hopefully, this post will inspire you to start working harder on the time which goes into fighting for your loved ones when they’ve been killed by something which wasn’t their fault. As time goes on, the world is becoming a safer place, but this doesn’t keep everyone protected, with small mistakes making all the difference.

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It’s not always easy to follow up correctly after an accident has taken place. There are many reasons as to why you might have experienced this accident, but trying to pin down those facts directly after it occurs can be very difficult to manage, largely because you’re likely in a relatively dazed state. There are many guides out there helping you with the process of ensuring you communicate with the other party and exchange information amicably.

However, what if the accident wasn’t your fault? Could it be that there are many other methods you could take to overcome these issues? We’d argue that there absolutely are. Defending yourself in the case of an accident might not be something you really want to partake in thanks to the stress it offers, but it might be necessary to ensure you’re not penalized when you really shouldn’t be. Here are some methods to help you achieve a cohesive defence:

Get Your Story Straight

This means finding the facts, and immediately recording what happened as soon as you’re able. If you’re perfectly honest about everything you can remember, do not embellish facts, and consult with your lawyers at all times, the car wreck that wasn’t your fault is likely to be resolved in your favor, as offering a complete narrative that makes sense is more than likely to happen here. Getting your story straight is not something to consider to be a second priority. Without it, there is no way to defend yourself. This will help point out inconsistencies in the other parties argument. It will also hopefully align with any witnesses or camera footage that was captured at the scene.

Don’t Get Angry

It’s easy to become angry. It’s easy to feel that this injustice requires your aggressiveness to resolve. However, this is not the truth. When you are being tested by the false testimony of another person, you must understand this is human nature. The other person is of course doing something heinous, but it’s not your place to aggressively communicate with them. If you remain calm and professional and stick to facts only, you are much more likely to gain favor with the judge or jury. A calm persona will lead to a calm mind, and this often accurately helps you ascertain the facts and draw together a stronger defence from the get go.

Never Compromise

If you’re in the right, you’re in the right. Allowing a settlement or other silly confidence to simply make the case go away can set a precedent, and it won’t look kindly on you. It might affect your driving record or a whole host of other factors. Don’t allow yourself to give in. Prove yourself right, even when you lack evidence. With the simple advice listed previously, you will go a long way. Don’t give in simply because the court proceeding is cumbersome. When you win the case, you will be thankful to yourself for this.

With these tips, you can be sure that defending yourself in the case of an accident is much simpler to achieve.

We’ve spoken in the past about the struggles of coping with a serious injury in the family. It’s by no means an easy experience, and it can set you back as a unit in a multitude of ways. In fact, during those dark times, the only thing which can give hope is the idea of recovery. Hence why we turn to doctors. If we do that, surely our injured loved one can get back on track soon, right?

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Perhaps. But, following medical advice without question isn’t always your best option. We all have different experiences and needs, after all. An injured person’s communication with their medical practitioner should be ongoing. And, that means looking out for signs and symptoms that all is not smooth on the road to recovery. There are a few different bumps and potholes your loved one might hit along the way. What’s more, failure to notice these means your doctor can’t do anything about them. To make sure that doesn’t happen, look out for the following signs that all is not how it should be.

A little too much reliance on painkillers

An increasing reliance on painkillers can become a serious issue. This can be tough to spot. After all, if the injury is causing a lot of pain, it’s no surprise your loved one wants those painkillers so much. But, it’s essential you bear in mind that opioid addiction is a severe and crippling issue. You only have to look to the opioid epidemic currently unravelling in Arizona to see how serious this in. In that state alone, there have been 1,071 suspected opioid deaths in the last ten months. So, with your loved one on those same tablets, it’s crucial you track things. It may be worth taking control of the dosage. Speak to your loved one about this, and make sure they’re on board. If you explain your reasoning, they’ll more than likely agree.

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Failure to heal

In some instances, an injury simply doesn’t heal as fast as we would hope. It’s likely your loved one’s doctor gave an estimated recovery time. If you think healing is taking longer than that, head back. There can be many reasons for delayed healing. Some of them, such as infection, can be life-threatening. Make sure you’re all on the lookout for this and keeping that doctor up to date. Make sure, too, that you take immediate action if the injury worsens.

A drop in mood

Healing from a severe injury can also have a significant impact on mood. Many people who are dealing with situations like this slip into depression. This is especially the case if they’re unable to get up and move independently. Signs that this has happened to your loved include a sudden drop in mood, a loss of appetite, and a failure to sleep. If you notice any of these, talk to them about how they’re feeling. If things are bad, they may need therapy before they can get back on their feet.

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Unfortunately, life sometimes throws us off track. When you’re little, and you look at a ‘grown-up’s’ life, it always seems to easy. To finally get to finish school, get a job, get married, and start a family. It all looks like so much fun and, above that, nice! It’s something that we all aspire to in some shape or another when we’re growing up. But sometimes, for some of us, you don’t even get that far into adulthood before you realize that things aren’t always going to be that easy. And that can be a tough thing to have to take on. No matter your age, when you hit hard times, it can be really hard to get through them.

But that’s the thing – you will get through them. No matter how difficult things may seem, or how awful your experience is, life does go on. Your heart may be broken, your body may be broken, but the days keep on coming and time is a wonderful healer – even though it may not seem like it today. No matter what tragedy you’ve faced in your life, you will realize that you can get your life back – or you can form a new path. So let’s take a look at some of the ways that you can look to get your life back on track after a major tragedy.

Speak To Someone

One of the first things that will benefit you, even if you feel like you don’t need it, is to speak to someone. Therapists and counselors can be really great at helping you to open your mind and deal with the pain. Whether you’ve suffered a loss, gone through a divorce, or even been physically hurt or injured, sometimes talking about it is what you need to do to be able to move on. While things won’t change overnight, a therapist can help you heal and move past your pain.  Here are some more helpful tips to get you through your grief and hurt; https://www.betterhelp.com/start/

Work On Your Mindset

Another great way to try and find yourself once again is to actively work on your mindset. Whether you realize it or not, you’re probably stuck in a bit of a vicious circle with your thought patterns. And it can poison your ability to keep moving forwards. So, you have to be able to change your mindset and move forwards with your thinking. As you try to be more positive and open to a new way of life, you’ll find it easier to put in place.

Exercise

As much as you may not feel like doing much of this right now, it’s actually what both your mind and body need. Because exercise is a great way to be able to improve your health and happiness levels at the same time. While a lot of people think of exercise as something you do to get fit, it has an increased range of mental health benefits. By getting your body moving, you’ll be able to boost your energy levels and clear your mind, so that you can move forward in a positive manner.

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Focus On The Little Things

It’s also going to help you if you can focus on the little things in life. Sometimes, trying to make big decisions is too difficult. But you need to be able to find happiness in every day. And the little things in life can help with that. Whether it’s walking your dog or writing for an hour each evening, this is what can make all the difference in every day.

Take It Slow

Sometimes, you can want to rush back into things. And that’s not always the best way to do it. Because when you’ve been through something tragic, your body can be a bit of a mess (your mind too). So, you’re going to want to take things slowly. Don’t rush back to work or work too hard. You need to ensure you have a good balance so that you don’t get stressed.

Consult An Expert

From here, you may also want to speak to an expert. If you’ve been wronged in any way, or your tragedy was a result of something that shouldn’t have happened, you may have a civil rights case to pursue. While this may not be at the top of your mind, the compensation you may be entitled too could relieve some of the worries you have about getting back on track.

Grow Your Social Life

You’re also going to want to try and be around others as much as possible. You may not feel like being social, but it is what you need. It’s important to be around people in order to progress and grow. Your friends and family want to be there for you, so let them.

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Do Things You Love

You may not really feel like following your passions right now, or you may feel guilty. But you are going to want to do something that allows you to have a release from your suffering. By doing what you love, you will be able to turn your attention elsewhere. It may be the one thing that gives your life purpose going forward too.

Find A New Rhythm

Sometimes, we want to rush right back into our old routines. But when life has changed, that may not be possible. So, instead, you need to be able to find a daily routine that works for you. It needs to be something that has been adapted for your new life and that will allow you to feel happy with your life going forward too.

Gradually Let Go

Finally, you need to learn to let go of the pain. While you may never forget the tragedy itself, you do need to learn to live with it and move past it – no matter what it is. Living in pain isn’t good for you. And you do have to live. So you’re going to want to make sure that you’re able to get through each day without having to think about it or deal with it. And before long, you’ll realize that your life is back on track.

Family life is totally and completely crazy – ask any mom, and she will tell you the same – which is why it can be hard to prioritise different parts of your life. As a mom, your life is all about your kids – they are your everything, your whole world – but you aren’t only a mom, you are also a daughter.

When we get to that age where we start a family of our own, often our parents begin to get to that age where they need more help. The issue is that family life is hectic enough as it is, without having to worry about your parents – or other aging relatives – as well.

However, the chances are that if you are close to your parents, then you feel a responsibility to look after them as they get older. After all, when you were small, they took care of you, so now it is time for you to pay back the favor. The only problem is that you have limited time (and funds) as it is, and are worried about how you will cope with it all.

To make the process of taking care of your young family and your old relatives easier, below are some tips to take note of and implement.

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Look at your options

The first thing that you need to do when it comes to aging relatives is look at your options and their needs. Are they at the stage where they can’t quite keep up with all of their household chores, such as the vacuuming and cleaning? Has it got to the point where they find getting themselves in and out of the shower and dressed for the day, a problem? Or, are they becoming a danger to themselves and others? It’s important to determine what level your relatives have got to, in terms of the care that they require. It could be that having a cleaner go in twice a week or having a carer go in once a day to help them shower and get dressed is all it will take to make life easier for them. Or you may need to consider having a live-in carer, moving them into residential care, or having them live with you.

Consider the financial implications

A big part of caring for aging relatives is the financial side of things. It’s important to take the time to think carefully about this, and how you will cope with this aspect of caring for your aging relatives. If your relatives own their own home but can no longer live there safely, it could be worth looking at selling the property through a specialist company like Wren Realty Inc. Whatever happens, the important thing is that you are left financially stable, and your relatives get the care and support that they need. Whether that means moving them into a care home or having them move into your home, it doesn’t matter, all that matters is that you ensure that they

are getting the care that they need.

Schedule your time

When it comes to managing your time and splitting it between your partner and children and your aging relatives, it is important to schedule your time. If they live with you, then this won’t be so much of a problem, but if they don’t, you will need to consider how you are going to schedule your time, to ensure that you don’t end up neglecting your family while caring for your aging relatives. Perhaps you could take care of your relatives while your children are at school and your partner is at work, as that way you won’t be missing out on any family time?

It isn’t easy having to take care of your aging parents and your young family, but hopefully, the tips above will help to make things that little bit easier for you.

Accidents and injuries happen. The unfortunate reality is that statistically, every one of us is likely to get taken off our feet by one at some point in our lives. If we don’t know what’s involved, they can really knock us for six, too. You can’t necessarily stop all the unexpected consequences of an injury, but if you’re more prepared for them, you can be better guarded against the impact they can make, at least.

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The psychological danger

With a serious injury, there’s more than physical trauma involved. The incident itself, the ongoing treatment, and the limitations it can impose can all wreak havoc on the mental state of the person who is undergoing them, too. Stress, anxiety, and depression due to low self-esteem are more likely than you might imagine. With sudden, serious injuries like a car crash or a machine malfunction at work, even PTSD can get in the way of getting back to life as you once knew it.

The growing dependence

Often, one of the big reasons for depression and low self-esteem is the changes that happen in your life after a serious injury. If you’re even temporarily disabled, it can make you much more reliant on the other people in your life. There are services like Kinetx Rehab that can help you work through existing injuries and regain your independence quicker, but you should try to be more willing to accept help where you can. It’s not a sign of weakness or any kind of reflection on your character that you are forced to do a little less than usual.

The financial impact

The cost of paying for the healthcare involved in treating your injury, including the aforementioned rehab, is nothing to sniff at. If it’s no-one else’s fault, having a comprehensive medical insurance is essential. If someone else is responsible, however, they should be held accountable. Most people don’t turn to help like a DeSalvo Law injury lawyer because they want easy cash. They turn to them because the expenses of medical bills, rehab, and more can seriously cripple their finances if they’re forced to deal with them alone. You might feel merciful, but that shouldn’t get in the way of taking care of yourself and minimizing the impact of someone else’s negligence.

The loss of work

A case against those responsible will also cover you in the event that you’re forced to take time off work, as many people are. But it’s worth investing in a few extra protections should that happen, too. Some will save up an emergency fund that offers enough to replace their income for three-to-five months, but you can also get income insurance in advance that does practically the same thing. Prepare for things to feel new and to take time to get back to grips when you return to work, but don’t force or rush that return.

Above all else, the points above should make you realize how serious these accidents and injuries can be, so do what you can to avoid them. When you can’t, make sure the right party is taking responsibility for them.