Disability morning routines: Tully’s account of the hidden effort
My Mornings
By Tully Zygier · Originally published 28 September 2016
Original article
Tully Zygier has spent the last five years working in the disability sector focusing on advocacy and project management. She holds a double degree from the University Of Melbourne and is a member of the City of Melbourne Disability Advisory Committee. Tully has personal experience with disability, having developed a rare chronic illness Familial Dysautonomia. Tully is a passionate advocate for accessibility and human rights.
Earlier today, I was talking to a colleague about how tired I am by the time I get to work in the morning. This made me do a mental checklist in my head, as I calculated how long it takes for me to get ready every morning.
Usually I set my alarm for 6am but sometimes I am quite weak and find it hard to get out of bed, so I get out at 6:30am or 7am. But before then, I have to take my medication, which often causes spluttering and choking and I need to watch TV to calm myself down. This process alone can end up taking 30 – 45 minutes or just 5, depending on how I’m feeling.
[Clickability update, October 2026:
Recurring choking or swallowing difficulty should be discussed with a suitable clinician. Healthdirect’s dysphagia guidance explains assessment; do not change medicine or use this account as a swallowing technique. An immediate choking emergency requires urgent help.
]
Getting out of bed may take several attempts. It involves sitting up, placing my feet firmly on the floor and finding my centre before even getting up. When I get up I have to grasp the wall to find my centre again. Once this is done I can make my way down to the kitchen – 5 minutes all up.
Having breakfast can take up to 30 minutes because sometimes I feel nauseous and I need to let my stomach settle (not even pregnant, just another side-effect of having FD). Also, walking back and forth from the kitchen to the table takes a little time and some manoeuvring.
Don’t get me started on having a shower! Starting off with standing on one leg when getting undressed and then stepping out of the shower and slipping because my foot missed the mat. Luckily I have a handrail in the shower, so I have that for support. This part of the morning takes 20 odd minutes.
Getting dressed and making the bed takes a lot of shuffling around, making sure I don’t trip when I put my socks on. Bending down to put my shoes on and getting back up takes a moment or two. All up, 15 minutes. Once I’m dressed, I’m still not ready to go as I have to do some last minute packing. This can take 5-10 minutes; if I rush I will definitely fall.
When I close my front door I have to walk downstairs, unlock the frame and move it onto a weird angle so that I can open the front gate. Walking to the car and making sure I don’t drop my bag or slip in a puddle takes a lot of time and care and then throwing the frame onto the backseat of the car takes a bit of stamina as well. This takes about 10 minutes.
So, let’s add it up, shall we?
45 minutes for waking up and taking my meds; 5 mins for getting out of bed and going to the kitchen; 30 minutes for breakfast and 20 minutes for the bathroom; 15 minutes for getting dressed and 10 for finishing up. Lastly, 10 minutes for getting into the car.
115 minutes on a bad day. That’s nearly two hours. On a good day it would probably take an hour and a half. Now you can understand that, by the time I get to work, I am tired and hungry for my second breakfast. It may not seem like a lot to you, but to me it’s exhausting and I haven’t even started my day yet!
This may seem like complaining to you, but I thought it would be a good idea to share this experience with you so that you can understand why people with a disability tend to get a little tired.
When you have your coffee in the morning, take a little moment to enjoy it and realise how lucky you are.
Clickability editorial update: October 2026
Describe the tasks and where assistance would change the morning
List what happens from waking to leaving home and which steps take effort, feel unsafe or need more time. Include variability rather than only a good-day schedule. Ask about practical support and suitable assessment for mobility or swallowing concerns.
A support worker may assist with agreed tasks, while a clinician has a different role in assessment. Clarify responsibilities and how the schedule changes on harder days. Your morning does not need to match someone else’s pace.
Allow time and follow the individual support plan
Ask how the person wants help and avoid rushing a task to keep to a generic timetable. Follow agreed mobility and health-related instructions within your competence. Record and communicate concerns appropriately rather than diagnosing a symptom or copying a technique from the blog.
