Guest Author - Jessica Steinmetz

Friends help make life easier and more worthwhile. Finding and maintaining friendships can be difficult when you have a disability. It´s difficult to go out and find people to see the real you inside. Luckily, it isn’t necessary to have thousands of friends, but having a few close friends is nice. If you are feeling friend-less, don’t worry. Here are some ideas to assist you to find and maintain friendships when you have a disability.

Becoming involved in your community provides you with an excellent opportunity to meet new people. Libraries, social clubs, churches, schools, sporting events, and organizations usually hold activities. Keep an eye out on the local paper and bulletin boards for event listings. You can’t meet new people without making some kind of an effort to be active.

The Internet has offered tremendous potential to find friends. You can join chats, forums, message boards, and use instant messages to meet and talk to people. You don’t need to worry about barriers blocking you from being with others. Thousands of forums and groups exist to fit into your individual tastes. Email is also available for you to keep in contact with friends.

Look within yourself. People are often attracted to those with a sense of humor, self-acceptance, and a good personality. Take inventory on what kind of person you would like to be, and then strive be that person. Don’t attempt to be someone you’re not.

Don’t be afraid to make the first move. You can ask someone out for coffee, an activity, or lunch. Of course, there is always a chance of rejection, but it’s important to try. If you are rejected, be proud that you tried and try again with someone else. Letting fear take over your life is never a good thing. If the other person agrees, then be happy and don’t worry about future opportunities. See what happens and then take it from there.

In order to maintain a friendship, remember to be a good friend. People like those who are honest, trustworthy, caring, and interested in others. Gossiping or talking behind other people’s back is not a good friend. Friends help one another, show support, have fun together, and like each other.

Stop letting your disability get in the way of your friendships. Share your experiences with friends on the forum.