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!
Leave a Reply