“It’s not the disability that defines you, it’s how you deal with the challenges the disability presents you with.” – Jim Abott
Today, when I look at myself, I witness sheer darkness surrounding me. I think I am responsible for throwing myself into a dark prison of disabilities, from where I cannot be freed and don’t have the courage to walk away. But with the passage of time, I somehow realise, that whatever has been lost can be regained. I realise that I actually stand a chance of breaking the shackles of limitations and rising above all odds. My disability has nothing to do with my capabilities and potential.
Let me tell you that I am not the only one; there are around 785 million people suffering from a physical limitation of one or the other kind. Some are born lame, others are born premature, some are born with respiratory problems. Some children even acquire prenatal disabilities. A lot of children inherit chronic illnesses from their parents and end up living a life of loneliness and sorrow. Some of these children and even adolescents have been living in a perpetual state of loneliness, without an identity.
In most cases, it is observed that children are born with disabilities, but they end up becoming ‘handicapped’. It does not happen because of their disabilities but because of the sympathy and segregation, they undergo, while living in society.
Sometimes, society can be cruel and good for nothing and makes them feel out-of-place; as if people with disabilities do not have the right to live. One thing which needs to be stated here is that no one is born perfect, no one is born without a limitation.
When you are dealing with a disability, it is extremely important to come to terms with it. You can’t just keep crying over your limitations. This will, perhaps, be one of the most daunting tasks. Once you’ve accepted your situation, living with a disability becomes a lot easier. Remember, acceptance holds the key here. Well, that doesn’t mean you have to leave your dreams and aspirations behind and travel on the road to mediocrity.
Secondly, don’t let anybody make you feel inferior. Be confident and assertive when you deal with people who have a negative perception about you. You may have to deal with people, who may, in all fairness, doubt your abilities and capabilities. Don’t let them fill your mind with self-defeating thoughts. Just try to avoid them, keep it as simple as that.
I’d like to tell you that a disabled person’s world is not at all limited to his/her disability. There’s a lot more to explore. Spend time and cultivate your strengths as it’ll help you boost your self-esteem. For instance: I keep on writing whatever comes to my mind. Well, everything one writes doesn’t have to make sense. Just keep following your passion and you will lead a happier life.
Next, there’s absolutely nothing wrong in asking for help when you’re in need of it. You don’t have to push yourself hard in an attempt to accomplish your goals. Your health getting affected, owing to the excess pressure, is perhaps, the last thing you need.
Last, but certainly not the least, be positive. Well, I’m not talking about the blood group. I mean, integrate yourself into society. Ah, now this may seem quite difficult, owing to the extent of challenges that you may have to face in your daily life; but don’t let that sense of negativity overpower you. Instead, pull yourself together, because only then, you will be able to give yourself a new lease on life.
So, in conclusion, I think everything depends on how we look at our disability. There’s an age-old saying, “we have two choices, either we can complain that the rose bush has thorns or we can admire that the thornbush has roses.” So, it all depends on how the problem of physical disability is dealt with.
The world needs to understand that people are neither weak nor strong. Thoughts, mindsets and ideas make people weak or formidable. The world needs to understand that people born with disabilities, also have the right to shape their future, just like any other human in this world. In order to achieve something, we must have faith in ourselves and our capabilities. “Believe, and the world is yours!”