By Dr. Jonathan Torres, Medical Director, UnitedHealthcare Specialty Benefits Like many other people, I was going through life busy raising children, working and making time for hobbies and travel when possible. I had completed medical school, residency training and served as a physician in the U.S. Air Force. During those more than 27 years as…
An Emotional Support Animal (ESA) is any pet that is legally certified to offer support for emotional of psychological conditions. They help people by providing support during difficult times and are mostly commonly utilized by people suffering from conditions such as anxiety or depression. Usually dogs are trained for this task. However, diversity of ESAs…
By Holly Devine Editor’s Note: Holly Devine grew up knowing how to advocate for herself and what she needed – as it related to being a person with a physical disability. But it wasn’t until she was working at her first job after college that she learned how to ask for support with a mental…
By Nigel Robert Editor’s Note: The prevalence of mental health conditions (most commonly anxiety and depression) accelerated during the COVID pandemic and has been on the rise in many places. Some people may find that letting a reptile into their life can help combat some of the effects of their condition – and this…
At 26 years old and newly married, I was excited when the two pink lines on a pregnancy test indicated that I was expecting. From the start, I did all of the “right” things. I confirmed a viable pregnancy with my OB, waited until it felt “safe” to tell friends and family, scheduled all of…
Editor’s note: This piece was originally published in May 2020. In this second installment of a three-post series about mental health during a pandemic, Fred Schott of The Council for Disability Awareness picks up from where he left off in part 1, and shares four additional things he learned about life during a pandemic. …
Having a negative outlook is not uncommon—life can be hard, people are complicated, and complaining is easy. But there’s proof that a positive outlook can have a positive impact on your physical and mental health. So even if you’re naturally inclined to be pessimistic, it’s worthwhile to explore the sunny side of the street. Thinking…
There are so many health benefits that come alongside having a dog as a companion. Whether it’s the popular Poodle, or the less well known Silver Labrador, all dogs provide benefits such as encouraging more exercise and therefore having better heart health. They can even help people with mental health problems, and bring many benefits…
Winter is still in full-swing, which has many people excited to either hit the slopes or hunker down for the next few months. While the dead of winter is a great time for reflection, it can also lead to burnout for even the most productive employees. Between the cold weather, seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and short…
Staying physically active is essential for everyone. Unfortunately, sedentary behaviors are often associated with people who have disabilities. These can lead to a variety of health risks, including obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. It can also take a toll on your mental health. Having a physical disability doesn’t always mean you can’t stay…
