I’ve mentioned a few times how being called an ‘inspiration’ makes me uncomfortable. It took me decades to actually accept this concept and even longer to understand it. It still makes me gag a bit to hear it, but I do appreciate the sentiment.
I’m sure there are many reasons people can look at someone else and be inspired. I’m inspired by people for a multitude of reasons quite often. I believe what people see in me (and others like me) is my ability to navigate a world that is physically just not made for me.
Every single day I am faced with challenges that not many people ever have to think about. Even though I’m the same person I was before my injury - just older and obviously way more mature and much wiser - my body and its’ capabilities were completely changed.
I attribute part of my strength and growth to just that. Being placed into a world that is totally uncomfortable and many times challenging or near impossible leaves you with only a couple of options. You can either sit home and cry about it or face it head on and show that bitch what you’re made of.
Luckily, I chose the latter.
I can’t take full credit for that. There were many times my family or friends had to gently push me. There were many times they helped by reminding me who I am and where I came from. There were also times they didn’t give me a choice - not because they’re cruel or sadistic, but because they knew I could even when I couldn’t see it myself.
It’s easy to forget how far I’ve come. A lot of what I do is routine at this point in my life. I forget how incredible it must look to some people to see me doing something so minute as getting in and out of my car… that I drove by myself to the place I where I will accomplish whatever basic task I am there for ALL BY MYSELF.
If I told you how many times people literally stop what they’re doing to come and compliment me for what I’m doing it would sound ridiculous. It still makes me feel so weird and I usually respond with something awkward or a lame attempt at a joke - but I APPRECIATE IT. I get what they see as someone on the outside of the inner circle that is my life.
I guess what I’m trying to say here is that each of us has the ability to inspire others in our own way. Any time we are put in an uncomfortable or difficult situation and we work our way through it, it can motivate others to do the same. Even when something seems like a simple decision for YOU may mean the world to someone else.
Navigating through life is never an easy task. Personally, I am perpetually faced with physical barriers that I need to overcome. Those are easy for others to see and appreciate. Although invisible to the naked eye, the emotional and mental barriers are also constant and I’m sure many of you bare those burdens as well and still manage to persevere.
So if you see me talking to myself while pushing a Costco cart that I can’t see over, just know, I’m doing my best - inside and out - and no matter what silly response comes out of my mouth, I appreciate you noticing how difficult it can be sometimes.
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