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Being in a wheelchair or using a cane has taught me what it is like to be a second class citizen but more importantly it has also taught me how important it is to empower and educate others so that nobody else has to feel that way. I have seen so much damage done to people’s self esteem and lives as a parent of 3 kids with disabilities. I never expected to be in a wheelchair myself. I thought I would never understand how they felt when someone makes fun of them or makes it harder for them to do something. I know now. I know when I try to go shopping I might not be able to get into the stores. I might not be able to do what I need done. I know how it feels to be less than normal, to be looked at as a problem, as someone who is not valued. So now I know what I must do. I no longer speak for my children, instead I am empowering them to speak for themselves. I will not be silent about how it feels to be in the chair. I will wear my wheelchair heart shirts, go to rallies and tell anyone who will listen. I will educate and empower.
I have volunteered whenever I can, gone back to school to get degrees so people will listen to me, and always taken an opportunity to shout. I have met many people and will meet many more, my battle has just begun and my war is unending but I intend for future generations to win. The wheelchair heart is a symbol, but it is more to me. It is my shield as it gives me strength to continue, to know there are others; I am not alone. It is also my weapon of choice. It is a powerful weapon, a symbol that can shout empowerment and teach people to love or notice people in wheelchairs everywhere. I feel honored to wear it and use it, it is my badge of courage. It is a source of peace.
The future is bright as more people join this battle, this movement and successes happen. I know my children have started advocating already even at young ages of 9, 12 and 16. They have helped create, fund and work on projects giving a voice to people who have various disabilities. They are amazing and I am proud. I feel as though I am a general who has been slowly winning the war. It is a good feeling. I one I feel every time I see the heart wheelchair symbol. The Day of Acceptance is just one example. It is an opportunity to let the world know that people with disabilities are just people. They are people like everyone else who experience joy and sadness. We all need to stand together and acknowledge people with disabilities can and will contribute to society so they should be valued as all other members, and cherished in the same ways. We have a long way to go, but we have achieved a great deal and I am truly honored to be chosen as one of the soldiers embracing differences, and educating the world.
I have volunteered whenever I can, gone back to school to get degrees so people will listen to me, and always taken an opportunity to shout. I have met many people and will meet many more, my battle has just begun and my war is unending but I intend for future generations to win. The wheelchair heart is a symbol, but it is more to me. It is my shield as it gives me strength to continue, to know there are others; I am not alone. It is also my weapon of choice. It is a powerful weapon, a symbol that can shout empowerment and teach people to love or notice people in wheelchairs everywhere. I feel honored to wear it and use it, it is my badge of courage. It is a source of peace.
The future is bright as more people join this battle, this movement and successes happen. I know my children have started advocating already even at young ages of 9, 12 and 16. They have helped create, fund and work on projects giving a voice to people who have various disabilities. They are amazing and I am proud. I feel as though I am a general who has been slowly winning the war. It is a good feeling. I one I feel every time I see the heart wheelchair symbol. The Day of Acceptance is just one example. It is an opportunity to let the world know that people with disabilities are just people. They are people like everyone else who experience joy and sadness. We all need to stand together and acknowledge people with disabilities can and will contribute to society so they should be valued as all other members, and cherished in the same ways. We have a long way to go, but we have achieved a great deal and I am truly honored to be chosen as one of the soldiers embracing differences, and educating the world.
