Where There's A Will There's a Way

This video is of a comedian who also has Cerebral Palsy and, she has not let her disability stop her from achieving her goals and dreams. I thought to start of today's blog I would share it with you all, as it sets the tone for my post today.

Something that has always scared me was the fact that I may never reach my goal ot of being independent. When I was growing up, I never thought of myself as different because, my family always treated me the same as they did my siblings. I was included in everything and, just like any other kid, I was expected to help around the house. I never recieved any special treatment from my family and, now that I look back on my childhood, I can see that was the biggest blessing anyone could ever give me. As I have gotten older, I figured out my own unique way of doing certain tasks. And, even though it might take me a little longer to do certain activities on my own I don't mind because I am doing them independently. However, I started to realize as I got older that not everyone thinks people with disabilities are normal. I distictly remember one incident when my mom and I were shopping in Walmart, a lady approached my mother and said, " Excuse me what is your kid's problem?" Out of anger, I spun around in my wheelchair and responded to her question by saying " I don't have a probletim". I strongly believe that I do not have a problem. Yes, I do have a disability but it is not a mistake. In fact, I am exactly the way I am supposed to be. I will never forget how fast the woman walked away with a look of utter embarassment spread across her face! One of the biggest misconceptions about people with disabilities is that we are not able to do same things as everyone else.

When people tell me that I cannot do something, it is my motivation to prove them wrong. I have always seen myself as being a normal now eighteen year old girl who just happens to have Cerebral Palsy. Looking back on what that lady said so many years ago now, it has actually weirdly enough contributed to my personal success. She saw me being disabled as a problem, but I have to choose whether or not I am going to let it become a problem that ultimately rules my life. I have to live the best I can with what I have been given.

Over the years I have made several significant strides towards being as independent as I possibly can from a wheelchair. I have learned everything from learning how to walk to learning how to finally put a ponytail in my hair at eighteen years old. I have struggled to achieve each one of my goals, but if I didn't set goals for myself and chose to feel sorry for myself where would that get me?

My family has always been supportive of me and, they have always encouraged me to do my best in absolutely everything I do. I am also extremely thankful for my friends who also have disabilities because, every time I visit with one of them, I learn something new. It's not always a lesson about life, but I also learn new skills that they have tried which proved to be successful towards gaining independence. I am getting there, but I must admit I still have a lot of work to do.

Every time I figure out how to do something on my own, without the help of someone else it is like Christmas times a thousand. We all have challenges, but we have to chose whether or not we are going to let them get in the way of accomplishing our goals because, where there's a will there's a way. One of the biggest lessons I have learned as long as you are determined, you can do anything you want with your life.

" Placing one foot in front of the other, I have climbed to higher lengths and reached beyond my own limitations to prove my disability hasn't won!"

- Robert M. Hensel