"People with disabilities can’t be just people — a boundary between “us” and “them”
must be established, if only to avoid the difficult truth that disability in some form will
almost certainly touch their lives in the future."
must be established, if only to avoid the difficult truth that disability in some form will
almost certainly touch their lives in the future."
It's Paralympics time again, which always makes me hyper-aware of how disabled people are perceived in our society, myself included. I am disappointed (and a little angry) that I can't watch them because I don't have cable and the majority of the Games are only being shown on NBCSports. (During the "normal" Olympics, I spent the better part of my evenings glued to the TV.) Last week, I came across an article in the New York Times titled My Paralympic Blues, detailing an experience the author had as a disabled athlete.
I'm used to fielding these types of comments and sometimes questions. The questions, though often difficult for myself and others to bring up, tend to be more effective. In the best case scenario it leads to a discussion which gives me the opportunity to be wholeheartedly honest about the issue while at the same time crushing many of the misconceptions.
I was born with my right side partially paralyzed as the result of a stroke when my mom was five months pregnant with me. I can move my arm and leg, though I have little fine motor skills.
I had one of my own experiences this week.
After yoga the older man next to me comes over and says "I admire you." He said nothing more, but I knew exactly what he meant. "Thank you," I said with a half smile. "I've been doing yoga for so long I've figured out all the adaptations I need to make." A nervous smile followed as he walked away.
I'm used to fielding these types of comments and sometimes questions. The questions, though often difficult for myself and others to bring up, tend to be more effective. In the best case scenario it leads to a discussion which gives me the opportunity to be wholeheartedly honest about the issue while at the same time crushing many of the misconceptions.
I was born with my right side partially paralyzed as the result of a stroke when my mom was five months pregnant with me. I can move my arm and leg, though I have little fine motor skills.
I've been practicing yoga since I was 17 when it was offered at the pre-college program I attended between my junior and senior year of high school. Yoga was a natural addition to the active lifestyle I already led. I learned to ski when I was five. I play tennis; when I started on the JV team, one of my coaches taught me how to serve the ball one-handed. I worked with a physical therapist so I could learn to kayak and figure out how to hold the paddle because I wanted to go on a school trip to Lake Powell. Note: if you strap your hand to the paddle with an ace bandage, be aware of the possibility of the kayak flipping and not being able to let go of said paddle, though this never happened to me. I bought a recumbent tricycle because I don't have the balance to ride a bike.
My story is not inspirational or particularly admirable. It is difficult to tell only because our flawed world has made it so. I like to be challenged, physically and intellectually. It is why people tell me I have guts and determination. And as is the case with everyone, some days are easier than others.
My story is not inspirational or particularly admirable. It is difficult to tell only because our flawed world has made it so. I like to be challenged, physically and intellectually. It is why people tell me I have guts and determination. And as is the case with everyone, some days are easier than others.
"I’m an ordinary athlete living an ordinary life. I just happen to be doing it in a body many
people might misunderstand, a body that is a source of pride and of shame, and sometimes,
like all of our bodies on a good day, extraordinary."
people might misunderstand, a body that is a source of pride and of shame, and sometimes,
like all of our bodies on a good day, extraordinary."
