Art by Myra
I would love to tell you that I have always been dedicated to helping other people. Quite frankly that would not be true. When I was very young I thought the world revolved around me. Intellectually I knew that it did not. However, as most young people, I would say I was self-absorbed. It has taken the better part of my life to totally understand that in order to have a full rich rewarding life, I needed to be involved on some level in some way, with the enrichment of someone else’s life. Doing so was a key component in my own emotional well-being. I cannot exactly tell you when that moment of awakening happened because it actually evolved slowly like the ripening of a piece of fruit. The more I prospered the more I understood that prosperity was to be shared and not hoarded.
After I contracted polio at age 10, I struggled with feelings of inadequacy, embarrassment, self-consciousness and ultimately low self esteem. I felt I was alone and an odd ball in a world that moved too fast for me. Through my young eyes I saw the world as filled with able-bodied people running, walking, playing sports, dancing, exercising and having fun, as I sat on the sidelines and watched through tear stained eyes. How wonderful it would have been if I had a hero or a mentor that I could have related to and aspired to emulate. Despite my early difficulties, life has been wonderful and I have enjoyed great success. I was blessed by the generosity of others along my path.
In retrospect, I am grateful for all that I have received and now it’s my turn to return what I have recieved. I want to share love, compassion and understanding with those who have yet to travel my road. That is why I have written a support book( Dancing On Your Disabilities, Never Say Impossible to Your Dreams) for those of us living with a visible or invisible disability. The struggle some of us face on a daily basis and the effect that it can have on our family or caregivers can be overwhelming. What can we do as a society to make the challenged have a better life? We make a difference and give an equal chance to everyone. Together we can allow them to shine through independence and employment. I want to put that book into the hands of all those living in a world of hopelessness. Please help me make that happen.
