There is No Shame in Being Unique!

Earlier this week, I had the opportunity to speak at a school in Lundbrek, Alberta to an amazing group of students. Rather than being angry, I have chosen to turn my situation into something positive by encouraging others to keep moving forward even when life proves to be challenging. I started doing motivational speaking presentations about three years ago and, it is utterly incredible for me to see the impact that my story has on the lives of others.

During this particular presentation, I chose to speak about how each and everyone of us is unique. I have gone through many stages in my life. The fact that I have Cerebral Palsy has not always been the easiet thing to accept. Part of accepting who I was as an individual was learning to embrace my challenges. There was definitely a time in my life where this was extremely difficult to do, because in my mind there was no good reason that I was born with Cerebral Palsy. All I wanted was to be like all of the other children my age- I didn't care about anything else. I chose to speak about being unique because, I have realized that many other people have experienced the same feeling that I once felt. I think that there is a point in everyone's life where we all become consumed with being the same because we feel as though it is the only way we will be accepted by others. I am extremely fortunate to have such a supportive circle of family and friends who have encouraged me along my journey. My parents have always told me that I can do anything I set my mind to as long as I believe in myself and, they were right! Life has a strange way of teaching us all valuable lessons through experience. Today, I am not ashamed of my challenges because having Cerebral Palsy has taught me many valuable lessons that I probably would not have learned if things had turned out differently. There are many characteristics, traits and qualities that make us unique. Cerebral Palsy is just one of things that makes me unique.

Recently, I got a job at an after school program in my town. Since starting my new job, I have recieved many questions about my disability from the children that I work with. When people ask questions about my disability I do not get offended. In fact, I would rather that people ask me questions than wonder in silence. I have learned that children in particular are not afraid to ask direct questions. A little boy is fascinated by my power chair. One day last week I was climbing back into my chair after playing on the floor with the kids. I didn't even notice he was watching me until I heard his voice pipe up behind me.

" Is it hard?"

" Is what hard?"

" Getting back into your chair, is it hard?"

I responded to his question by saying: " No, it's not hard, not anymore. I have had a lot of practice."

Then, he said that he wished that I wasn't in a wheelchair.

I proceeded to get out of my chair and sat down beside him. At first, I did not know how to respond. I explained to him that there was a time where I was upset about being in wheelchair. I am not upset anymore because I have learned that I can do everything everyone else does just in a different way and that is okay. I explained to him that I am not upset and because I am not angry, he doesn't have to be upset for me. Then, he gave me a hug!

There was a time in my life where I wished I could somehow escape my reality. Looking back, I now realize that I wouldn't be Becca without it.