I have many supports in my life. Most of my day is spent at work and I rely on my coworkers and friends for their support. Sometimes I just need physical support with rearranging or taking something to the shed. Other times I need their emotional support especially when dealing with some of the unpleasantries that we find in childcare (parents who are not involved, staff who won't work as a team, etc.). I can always count on them for advice, humor, and comfort.
At home, my family provides many of the same supports for me. They physically help with the household chores, carrying in groceries, yardwork, etc. They offer emotional support and love. My husband offers emotional, physical, practical, and monetary support. His income is double mine, so I rely heavily on him to meet our family's needs.
My other friends offer support through their kind words, words of wisdom, helping hands, and just being there when I need someone to talk to.
After thinking about a challenge that could jeopardize my supports, I became fearful that it might actually happen. I was thinking if I didn't have the use of language (maybe a brain disorder that took away my speech) I would be devastated. Then I started to think how I might communicate. I could use a laptop or still write messages. I also wondered if my emotional supports would still be there for me. I know my family would. I would also become much more dependant on others. I couldn't answer a phone or have a conversation with a family at work. I think I would find it very upsetting not to be able to verbally communicate with others. We take this for granted, but just think about ESL learners. They must feel the same way. I would need a whole new set of supports designed to allow me to express my thoughts. It makes my truly appreciate what I have and all of the supports in my life. I would not want to be without any of them.
