Wednesday, February 10, 2016

Inspiration and Admiration

           I came across this article about inspiration and admiration today, a lot of what the author had to say resonated with me. It made me reflect on the many times I've been to the gym and people have come by just to tell me how good of a job I'm doing. I don't mind it, I mean I know it's coming from a good place. The truth is, it is a big step (pun intended) to try walking after being in a wheelchair for all these years. I'm just trying to get a good workout in like everyone else. Why aren't you congratulating everyone else?? 

          What is inspiration and admiration to you? For me, I don't look at the challenges people face I look at what they've overcome in their life. Like Carly Fleischmann, at the age of 13 she finally could communicate with her family. She had gone her whole life being misunderstood and misrepresented but she never gave up! Now she can communicate who she is and what she wants to anyone willing to listen. "My everyday life in which I do exactly the same thing as everyone else should not inspire people, and yet I am constantly congratulated by strangers for simply existing." ~ Stella Young. I don't like the attitude of people being so surprised whenever someone with a disability is doing something with their life. 

Here is the article:
http://www.candoability.com.au/CDA/Blog/About-inspiration-and-admiration_557.html

Tuesday, February 9, 2016

What A Friend Looks Like For People With Disabilities

Regardless of struggles in my life, I have been blessed with good friends. My friends have always seen me for me and not my disability.

My roommate is my best friend. She is one friend who has always been there for me. We met at Between Friends where she was running a program, and we hit it off right away. I remember watching Simon’s Birch with her and she made me laugh the entire time. That’s what I think about when I think about my roommate, she is such a goof!

However, my roommate is more than her great sense of humour. She has always been there for me through the good and the bad. We’ve been through a lot together, and throughout it all she has looked past my disability and treats me like a human being and good friend. Seriously, she is not afraid to tell me like it is, which is exactly what I need sometimes. Honestly, I do not know what I’d do without her.

I am writing this because I want to reach out to the people who haven’t made good friends because some people can’t look past their disability. This is not okay! The definition of a friend is someone who truly understands you. So, look at the people in your life, do they understand the real you? If not, then they may not be the friend that you deserve. The trick is believing that you deserve good friends!