I just discovered a quote that appeared in an article by Liz Thompson, who writes a column for The Gahanna News. She was talking about living with MS. She said that it was true that her physical abilities have changed since the onset of MS, but she is still able to enjoy many of the things she did before, including playing with her grandchildren and dancing with her husband. The message was that in spite of some limitations, MS was not going to rule her life. But here are the words that stood up and shouted to me. She said her disability, and I don’t know if this was original or not, “is only part of who I am, not the definition of my life.” Wow. How true this is for me.
Blindness is only part of who I am, not the definition of my life. I should use it as part of my signature on my email messages. I should get a T-shirt with those words written in puff paint. I should make a plaque and post it on my fridge. I should print it on letterhead and make business cards with those words in braille. Blindness is only part of who I am, not the definition of my life. Now, if only the rest of the world would get it.
Those of us who know you “get it.” The rest of the world may be a tall order.
🙂
Lovely thoughts Mary. Dr. Suess said in excerpt, “those that mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind”. We know you’re blind and we certainly know it’s only a very small part of the fantastic and talented person you are. We see only the beauty but believe me, we are aware of the everyday struggle blindness has dealt you. Bob & Pat