People First

This blog has become my diary, but that was not the original plan.  The original plan was to have a detached blog about how to treat people who have disabilities, but I'm not good at detaching myself and people seem to like my thoughts and experiences.  It's still about how to treat people with disabilities; treat us like typical people because that's what we are.  Human beings.  

     There are about 1,093 people who have read my blog.  A lot of you are new and some of you have been reading for a while now, but what I hope you've all done is read every single one of my posts.  What I hope you've all seen is that I'm a person with feelings, struggles and beliefs.  I'm not a 'wheelchair person' or a 'disabled person'   I am a PERSON WHO HAS A DISABILITY.  

     No matter what kind of disability a person might have, wether it be physical or cognitive (mental), we are still people.  This is why when you are describing a person who has a disability in a sentence you should always put the person before the disability to portray that we are people and that we are NOT are disability.  There is more to a person than just their disability.  You can see that in my blog.  There is more to me than just my disability.  

     So, don't talk to us like we're baby's.  Don't shout at us like we can't hear you or understand you.  Don't help us before asking.  And ALWAYS put the person first!

Christmas Love; Holiday Spirit

I love Christmas!  Not for the presents, though.  I love it for the FAMILY LOVE.  

     My brothers ex-girlfriend once asked me, "If no one gave presents on Christmas would it still be your favorite holiday?"  The answer is "yes" because although the presents are fun to give and receive, I more so love the family time.  As crazy or as loud as we might be, I love seeing us talk and laugh.  I love seeing and feeling the support, kindness and love. 

     I know that I'm more blessed than some people with my family, but there is someone who loves you.  Wether your family is really disfunctional or not; wether it's few people or a huge family there is always someone who loves you.  God is also always loving and always there for you. 

     Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas!!

“Normal”

Normal-adj. Conforming with, adhering to, or constituting a norm, standard, pattern, level, or type

      As shown above the definition of normal is conforming with or adhering to a norm; but what is normal?  Arguments can be made that no one is normal because normal is just an opinion and there is no real definition.   Others dream and hope to be normal, in which by normal they mean to be like other people.  But what does normal truly mean?

     The truth is that normal is an opinion.  People question the definition of normal because everyone has a different view of what normal truly means.  Everyone is different in their own way therefore no one is normal. 

     I bring this topic up because I dislike when people ask me if I want to be normal.  I know what they mean; they're asking me if I want to walk like everyone else.  If I would rather be able to walk and be able to see like the population they're comparing me to.  I don't want to be compared to a group of people and, no, I do not want to be ‘normal’.  My disability and my differences are what makes me ME.  I also just strongly dislike the word ‘normal’ because of the mystery of the word.  No one is normal because normal is an opinion and everyone is different in their own way. 

I prefer the word typical:

Typical-Exhibiting the qualities, traits, or characteristics that identify a kind, class, group, or category

     At first glance you may think the word typical is just a synonym of normal.  But it's not.  Normal is conforming to; typical is just exhibiting the qualities.  I'll leave you to compare the two and figure this one out.

I Love my Life the Way It Is

During passing period at school today, I heard this guy behind me say, "if I was in a wheelchair I think I'd kill my self".  If you were in a wheelchair I would hope you'd suck it up and learn how to do things and play wheelchair sports or something.  The reality of my life-using a wheelchair and all-is that I can do everything you can do, just in a different way.  Sometimes it takes me longer, sometimes I need to approach a task differently but I always end up succeeding eventually. 

     I don't even really know why that boy said if he was in a wheelchair he'd kill himself.  I only assume that it's because he doesn't understand.  Doesn't understand that people who use wheelchairs can do everything abled-bodied people can do.  I love my life the way it is.  I love myself the way I am.  That's all you have to do; believe in yourself. 

It Always Goes Up :)

I'm so blessed,

Even though sometimes my life feels like a mess. 

You know, it could be worse.

I could be dying. 

I could be cursed. 

But instead, I'm flying,

Souring on happiness. 

Thinking of how my family was sent to me. 

The best of the best. 

I have no words,

For the opportunities coming my way. 

So many things they hold. 

So great, so bold. 

I'm so blessed, 

Even though sometimes my life feels like a mess. 

Because God has a plan. 

And every mess,

Every blessing,

Is in the master plan.

Part of something greater,

Part of a reason.  

The mess is just a downward slope,

But it always goes up.