Today, I offer an article that may be taken with resistance; however, it is something that I feel needs to be said. Truthfully, I see all too often that people make excuses for why they cannot do something, so in return I offer a rebuttal. This does not come unwarranted though, and I will try to share some stories and videos to make my case. Alright, now that I’ve given you warning, let’s hope in to it.
To begin, let’s start with the definition of disability as presented by a Google search. Disability means “a physical or mental condition that limits a person’s movements, senses, or activities.” We can go a step further and look into one of the definitions provided by dictionary.com, which says “Disabilities: a physical or mental handicap, especially one that prevents a person from living a full, normal life or from holding a gainful job.” By these definitions, I’m sure that a majority of people living with a chronic disease can be considered disabled. Let’s be real here and take away the stigma from the word. There is nothing wrong with being considered “disabled”. In fact, disabled people have presented some of the most motivational things that I have come across. Also, let’s not get to caught up on the word disabled and think more about the definition I have presented.
Now that we have a clear definition of what is considered a disability, I must ask, does being disabled mean that you can’t accomplish the same goals or aspirations you had when you didn’t have a chronic condition/disability? For me, that answer is a strong NO. The key to success is finding your own path to the top of the mountain. I think that is where I dislike the definition of the word disability, where I hate the stigma attached to it, and the sympathy given when I disclose that I have a condition that impacts my “normal” life. There’s an old saying that goes along the lines of, “there is more than one path up the mountain” and we all have to find our own. Just because my path doesn’t follow a “normal” path, does not mean that I still can’t reach the top of the mountain.
Following this metaphor, we have a tendency to think that because our differing paths do not fall on the “normal” path that we cannot achieve the same level of greatness as someone who doesn’t suffer from anything. Yes, this path may be a little steeper and it may be covered in mud that causes us to slide down the mountain a little bit from time to time, but does that path not also lead to the top of the mountain? I say it does. How do I know? Because I’ve seen others reach the top and I have the belief and motivation that I can also reach the top of the mountain.
Now, I know that there are some reading this that are thinking that by definition Ulcerative Colitis may not be considered a disability. I’m not here to debate it. Without living with my disease, I don’t expect others to fully understand, and I extend that to others in regards to I won’t be able to understand their chronic diseases or disabilities. It comes with the territory. The most important fact is that we all realize that we who suffer from diseases all have a uniquely challenging path, but we can all inspire each other.
Colitis has affected my life. I can’t do things that I once could. I stress about any sort of outing and have to know the locations of bathrooms in an event that my stomach takes a turn for the worse. I can’t play certain sports due to contact, such as kickboxing or jiu jitsu. But I have adapted. I lift weights, I play soccer, and more importantly, I have changed my path up my mountain to take into account my disease/disability. I do not let it stop me. I am not alone in this. Linked in this article is a music video called “Renegades” by the Ambassadors. In the introduction to the video, there are a handful of people with disabilities that I consider worse than my own, who have found ways to continue doing what they love. In my mind, that makes you successful. To do something despite of roadblocks and to achieve happiness, now that is true greatness. I won’t say anymore for lack of not doing it justice, just watch the video and listen to their stories. What’s even of greater knowledge is that the keyboardist for the band is blind. Yet, even lacking full vision, this man has overcome the challenge and learned piano. He’s done such a great job that he is in a successful band and performs for others. If this is not inspiring, then I do not know what is.
In closing, it’s just so important to say that regardless of your disability, disease, or challenge, there is a way passed it. There is a way to achieve what you want and there is a way to be happy. It may not be the “normal” way but that is what I feel makes the journey so great. Don’t let it bring you down, but rather, let it lift you up. Let yourself enjoy the journey, and achieve an even greater success knowing that you paved the way yourself. You didn’t follow anyone else’s path up the mountain, you did it on your own. And for that, you will have achieved the most greatest you can as a human.