Disabilities Unlimited

For eleven years now I've had the honor to work for an organization which provides assistance to people with disabilities. The organization's lofty motto: "WE recognize and support every person's right to be included in the life of the community", is a mission statement to die for, Jeffersonian, Lincolnian in its profound truth and eloquence. I know two things that I didn't know eleven years ago: People with disabilities are not to be pitied, and everybody has disabilities.

Recently I found out for the first time what its really like to have a physical disability (my chronic disabilities are mental). My right hamstring tightened up extremely and I could not walk normally or without pain for six months. Being  unable to run or play tennis would have been bearable; being unable to walk without intense pain was a true life changer. It almost seemed as if it would be easier to've never known healthy walking.

But I was not altoghether unhappy with the way I handled the situation. I accepted it, adjusted to it, and did the best I could, which is what folks with permanent disabilities do every day. Folks with disabilites tend to be among those whom I most admire. Those with emotional challenges, such as anger management,  are invariably aware of their behavior, and almost invariably regretful when anger overcomes them. I accept every apology, then I try to remind them that the best apology is improved behavior.

This post's title, "Disabilities Unimited", is intended to cannote the concept that we all have disabilities, and that we can live with them, work with them, and grow because f them. It might be helpful to listen to those whose disabilites are diagnosed, that the rest of us might do better at diagnosing our own, and lving more aware, and complete lives.