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Living With Spina Bifida
The disability has had its
ups and downs. As a young child, I can remember the way other children
would look at me and stare because of the way that I walked. There were
many times that my schoolmates would laugh at me and call me names simply
because of their lack of understanding of why I was a little different,
especially back in the mid 70s and early 80s. Children then were just
unwilling to take the time to learn why one of their classmates might
walk, speak or seem noticeably different from themselves. Now that I am an adult, I
have noticed that the stares and names have begun to fade, and judgments
that once were negative have begun to turn toward acceptance. The signing
of the ADA has played a great part in breaking down some of those barriers
that, as a child, left me to fight a war that seemed to have no end. Now I
look beyond what I can't do and focus on what I CAN. I have learned that
limitations open doors that have been closed, showing other ways to meet
our needs. I have always looked at life as a challenge, grasping each
obstacle with open arms. There is nothing in this world that comes easy. I
must stand tall and look forward, to be ever so ready for what still lies
ahead. People often feel sorry for those who were born with some type of
disability. But their compassion is misplaced. Yes, I may not be able to
run as fast or perform certain tasks, but my disability gives me a better
look at
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