Condition (illness, injury, congenital) e.g. Stroke
Impairment - this is what is what is not working in your body e.g. Left sided weakness
Functional Limitation (
previously called disability) and is what you have difficulty doing in your own home because of your impairment. eg difficulty walking or poor balance, or difficulty showering or dressing.
Participation Restriction (previously called Handicap), this is what you find challenging outside your home e.g. difficulty with community access, driving, return to work or hobbies, shopping etc.
Because we are all individuals, the same disease process and impairment can affect one individual far more than another. The classic example is the loss of a little finger to a concert violinist, may render them unable to work, where as the same loss to a lecturer would not affect their work to the same degree.
Similarly all Rehab programmes are tailored to an indvidual. It is important not to compare yourself and your progress to others.