Tag: Understanding

I’ll Try Again

When people see me they see my chair. That may sound like a rash or over exaggerated statement. Like I’m bothered by it. Don’t worry, I’m not. I’ve never really given much thought towards the “image” people get of me.

It’s not like you are witnessing something I’m not aware of. I’m “disabled.” I know I’m “disabled.” And I’m quite comfortable with it. But given my difficulty in clearly vocalizing with people who aren’t familiar with my speaking style, it’s difficult for me to change a persons expectations of me.

Just because you happen to be unsure of how to take me and wish you were someplace else, once I open my mouth, please don’t make an uncomfortable situation (for both of us) worse by flashing me that generic blank stare and a nod as you pass on. That shit drives me up the wall. Continue reading I’ll Try Again

Appreciating Effort

I remember being told about a “journal” my family kept for my benefit, chronicling events occurring in the initial month following my accident. And as time “crept” by I, of course forgot all about it. But upon grilling collective members of my kin for details concerning specific events, my sister politely reminded me of it’s existence. Curious as I am, I figured it was time to see it.

Neatly written within the opening paragraph, my mother wrote, “I wanted to let you know what was happening while you were sleeping.” There I sat, by myself at the kitchen table looking through an important piece of personal history. Hardly in a position, then or now (quite fitting actually) to return the warmth I was able to peruse all these many years later. Continue reading Appreciating Effort