What did you just say to me?
Words.
Your words.
They have an impact.
As I was editing our book and sharing a few thoughts with someone in the publishing industry, she suggested that I offer you something that I had not considered in the past. Honestly, I love when someone gives me new ways to encourage and perhaps redirect conversations concerning how we speak to others, especially in the caregiving and disability community.
What you say matters. How you relate to a me and others can bring comfort and support, or devastating memories. Sometimes we don’t always know what to say in tough situations. Our words may not come out of our mouth the way we meant for them to do so. We are not perfect people! We want to speak with kindness … but we may need help with what words to say, and what words not to say.
I am here to help in a practical and observable way. I compiled a short list of ways you can support others around you. It may be a family member who needs you to acknowledge how hard it is to care for their special needs child. It may be a neighbor down the street who is so tired of saying, “Everything is fine,” when it is not. It may be you, just needing people around you to say or do the right thing to get you through the day.
So, here you go. Please feel free to download this PDF and share it with others.
These suggestions come from my personal experience with our family interactions and other families caring for a loved one with disabilities. I offer them as a start, but please add to my list based on what you have found to be helpful or unhelpful.
I hope this will call us to make better use of our words.
My words.
Your words.
They have an impact.
This is so well done! Thank you for sharing your experience and helping others, like me, show more kindness, compassion, and empathy!!!!
Juli, I LOVE the chart and it is so helpful. We all know someone who is caring for a sick or disabled family member. Your message is a reminder to STOP and give encouragement to those who desperately need it.❤️ Debbie Menchaca