Uncommonly common
Being in a wheelchair for over 20 years has made the uncommon common
There was a time when I struggled to do the simplest of tasks; getting dressed, opening doors, and going to the bathroom. These are no longer difficult tasks to complete, not because they have gotten easier, but because with time and routine I adapted to the everyday task of living in a wheelchair.
I stopped fighting the thought of being in a wheelchair and the anger that overwhelmed me because I thought I was being punished. I had to redirect the negative energy in my mind to something more useful, so i made my wheelchair my best friend.
Once I came to terms with being in a wheelchair, I realized that I needed to get to know anything and everything about how my wheelchair works and what to takes to maintain it so it stays in tip top shape. One of the hardest obstacles I faced was not knowing how to care for my wheelchair and where to find the help. I knew that if my wheelchair broke down I couldn’t go anywhere. I couldn’t just go out and get a new wheelchair I had to fix it myself.
It was difficult at the start of this chapter in my life because I felt that I was damaged goods and that there would be no way that there could be a light at the end of this tunnel for me. People will always stare and act weird the first time we meet, because it’s different. But the more the uncommon is seen, the faster it becomes the common.
Its easy for me to forget that I have been in a wheelchair for as long as I have. I don’t wake up mad at my situation anymore and I don’t wonder how I’m going to get through a day in a wheelchair.
I decided early in my journey to not let the fear of the unknown take me down. I put the time and the effort in to figure out how I could live a life as normal as possible. By doing this I have been able to find my way and also have seen that I have been given a special gift. A gift that is a painting of my life, that shows the struggles of being in a wheelchair and a man that strives to live his life with a smile on his face. Examples of this are all around us, think of Beethoven composing some of the greatest music while not being able to hear or wow smart Albert Einstein was even though he had dyslexia. They made the uncommon common and this is why they achieved greatness.
My wheelchair has become the common in my life and those around me have witnessed the uncommon disappear. We all are strong in the ability to overcome. The first step is believing that it’s possible.
I smile when I see a stranger watch me in action because what they see is the obstacle in front of me and that there would be no way I could overcome it without assistance. Then they see me jump the curve that has no slope or ride a wheelie down a set of steps without missing a beat, leaving them in amazement.
We all have it in us to make the uncommon common. Today I would encourage you to take an inventory of the obstacles in your life that are holding you back and start looking at them not with anger or with unattainable eyes, but that you commit to focusing on a way around and a change in your routine. Start saying Yes and eliminate No from your vocabulary.Remember the struggle you’re in today will help strengthen you for tomorrow and you will see the uncommon change into the common.
Always Remember to Keep Rolling On!