I am not Special!

Even though we are now living in the twenty- first century, there is still a lot of misconceptions about people with disabilities. For example, I can't even count how many times I have been out in public when complete strangers approach me, get two inches away from my face, and they start talking to me loudly and slowly as if I am deaf or something. The funniest part of those conversations is when I respond back to them in FULL sentences, because the look on their faces is absolutely priceless.

My parents have always said " Just because Becca's in a wheelchair, it doesn't make it right to treat her any different than anyone else. They did not want me to live life according to my disability. Instead, they wanted me to experience life to it's fullest capacity. Throughout my life, there have definitely been times where I have wished that I could change the fact that I was born with a physical disability, but I don't have the ability to alter my reality. In one of my previous blog posts, I chose to write about how all people with disabilities, despite our challenges wish to be treated as though our personal limitations are non- exsistent. In other words, it is important to see the person, rather than the challenges first.

In my experience, I have found that when people meet me for the first time more often than not, people are unsure how to react to the fact that I have a disability. Sometimes, different can also be scary. I like to relieve the elephant in the room so to speak by poking fun at my challenges. If people see that I have accepted myself, they are more likely to accept who I am as individual. One of the most important lessons I have learned is that we are blessed with the beautiful gift of choice. Rather than using my disability as an excuse, I have chosen to jump at opportunities that come my way. This includes using my challenges as a way to support and encourage those around me. My job is extremely gratifying because it allows me to teach the children that I work with that it is okay to be different, and that each and everyone of them is perfect just the way they are.

I believe that on the inside we are all the same. I do not expect special treatment, nor do I want to be treated any different than anyone else. For my co- workers and I, these means that we are often cracking jokes about one another. The other day, I accidently dropped some papers on the ground. When I asked my boss if she could help me pick them up, her response was " No. Pick them up yourself." Then, we burst out laughing! I am not easily offeneded. In fact, I actually appreciate the jokes.

I have learned so many valuable lessons as a result of my disability. Cerebral Palsy doesn't make me special, but it has made my life even more special, enriching it in so many ways.

This is my friend, Abbi and I modelling our hallairious new shirts for wheelchair basketball. I ordered them off of a website that promotes acceptance towards people with disabilities. For those of you who are interested in finding out more about the organization, here is their website:

http://www.3elove.com/