Dancing with Cinderella

Seriously?!?

They were on t.v., movies, talk shows, the news, books were written about them, they would come speak to us at school. I saw them. I heard them.  I admired them.  I would listen to their story.   They were inspirations.

Who are ‘they’?

Well, some overcame physical disabilites, some mental disabilites, some grew up in poverty, some overcame abuse… they simply shared a story.  A story that had the possibility of ‘reaching’ someone.  A story that could possible make a difference in a persons life.

They were always great stories.  Always powerful.

Everyone referred to them as inspirations.  Wow.

And, in my mind, they were inspirational.  I learned from them.

Then one day… I was placed in that category… I was referred to as ‘inspiring’…

Whoa… who me?  Inspiring?  Me?  MY story?  What story?  What do you mean *I* have a story?

You mean my handicap… ?  Inspiring?  For many years it was a bother.  It got to me.  It kept me from doing things.  It was a limitation.  It caused stares.  It caused pain.  It made me feel weird.  It caused insecurities.  It made me feel useless… it was a curse… or so I THOUGHT!

And now someone was saying that MY issues, MY story was inspiring?

I had cancer… and survived it.

I dislocated my hip… and survived it.

I’ve walked with a noticeable limp my entire life… I am surviving it.

I have a disability… yet…

*I finsished high school

*I earned my BA in English

*I went on to get my Master’s

*I got married

*I carried a baby for 9 months

*I am raising a beautiful little girl

*I teach high school English

*I work-out 3 times a week

*I am disabled… yet, I do all that…

I am disabled… yet, I handcycled a 13.1 marathon within a month of owning the handcycle.

I am preparing for a full marathon.

Hmmm… maybe ???  I do have someting to share?

I never gave up.  I do have a story.  I do have the capability to touch lives… even if it is just one.

Am I inspiring?  I still don’t think so… THIS is inspiring {Kyle Maynard}. 

I do have a story though.  I do have a purpose.

Did I mention I teach HIGH SCHOOL??  {Just making sure you got THAT… ;-)}  Inspiring I tell ya’!  J/K!