Redefining Disability Project: Post #25

http://rosebfischer.com/2014/07/01/redefining-disability-an-interactive-blogging-project/

Time again for another question...
This time a tough love kind of answer as seen though my quirky nature. So be warned.

If you could “cure” the disabilities that affect your life, would you? Why or why not?

Could I cure it and would I? Yes,  I wouldn't wish a stroke on my best friend or worst enemy. Hold that thought. Come to think of it, my worst enemy had a stroke and died before he had to deal with the disabilities, and my best friend had a stroke too. Hmmm. I may have to rethink this statement.

But there is something to be said about the recovery process and what you learn that you might not have. Think of all the adaptions you have to make in your life after a stroke and paralysis. I mean losing function of half your body is pretty devastating. Having to live like this is pretty challenging every single day. It's not like you can take a vacation to rest from it, but you have to deal with it. But wouldn't that be great to leave the physical impairments behind and truly enjoy a vacation? Would you have enjoyed it as much if you weren't disabled. You probably wouldn't know the difference.

Humans as a whole never know what they are capable of until they are faced with it. I wouldn't have tried half the things I do now with only one working hand if I hadn't had my strokes. I mean who in their right mind would want to? I wouldn't have near the self-satisfaction then as I do now in the things I can do.

It's a growth experience. Not that I wasn't fully grown or experienced before my stroke, but it's just different now. If you are given something you don't appreciate it near as much as something you had to fight or struggle for it to gain it. Maybe that's why I've always been a fighter. I've earned everything I've gotten. Personally, I've got some of the attitude of the button here----------->
I really didn't need another growth experience, but here I am again. Well, if I must go through yet another one, I'm going to do the best I can. Others may do the same or let it beat them down. Me, I'm going to meet the challenge. I'm hard headed like that.

If there was an instantaneous cure for stroke and paralysis, would having a stroke be that great of a deal? Probably not, but we'd be cheating ourselves of a lot of victories. Would we have the opportunity of recovering? Nope. Would we have the self-satisfaction of conquering the odds? Nope. But still I wish there was a little pill that would cure it all and make it all a bad dream. There are plenty of other things to make growth experience out of.

I Know it's Saturday, But I Had to Share

I had to share!

Years ago, I was a disabilities coordinator for a local college before ADA was enacted in the US. At the time, only 504 was in effect and while it addressed handicapped issues for learning and some access issues, it wasn't geared for the general population. The college was trying to be sensitive to the needs of the handicapped. I had the audacity to suggest that certain members of the faculty and student counsel go around campus in wheelchairs, arm canes, blindfolded, and other impairments. It was rejected because it would create too much hardship even though it was for one day. lol

This film would have helped. It is shown in two parts. It shows what it would be like if the shoe was on the other foot.

As it was I did have them place ramps to be more accessible, and books on tape for several visually impaired students. I still felt there could have been so much more I could have done for awareness. You see, my stroke wasn't the first disability issues that I've faced. I was officially disabled at 27 years old with four children (8, 6, 2, & 3 months) and fought my way back to "normal." Or, the new normal for me.

So speed ahead thirty odd years, and I find myself fighting again for a new "normal" again.  This time there are no young children running around the house and the disability is not my back and legs, but an entire right side.

I found this youtube first on the Stroke Survivor Tattler. Interesting site whether you've had a stroke or not.