No matter who you meet in this world, there will be a lesson that you can learn from them. Everyone has had different experiences and they all have a different take on life. People with disabilities may actually be able to teach us more because they have often had to overcome adversity to get where they are. Even daily life can take the ultimate amount of determination and strength to get through the day.
While having a disability can be difficult, it also opens you up to a whole new classroom of life. Often people with disabilities get to learn lessons that an able-bodied person would not. So, they have the biggest lessons to share with the world. These are some of them…
1: Happiness Is Possible No Matter What
People who live with disabilities prove that happiness is possible regardless of your situation. Paralysis, cognitive and debilitating conditions don’t stand in the way of being happy, so why should anything else?
2: Anything Is Possible With A Bit Of Patience
As a kid your parents probably told you how important patience is, and it became all too apparent that it was as an adult. But patience of a whole new level is required when living with a disability. Often things can take longer to complete or require deeper concentration.
3: Accidents Can Happen
The very real truth is accidents that cause disabilities can happen, they don’t just appear on TV or in the movies. If you already live with a disability then you become very aware of accidents that can cause harm.
4: Disability Can Happen To Anyone
Disabilities are not always genetic. Then can be accidental or unexpected. It is important to remember that no one is perfect and that you are never safe from harm or unluckiness.
5: Don’t Sweat The Small Stuff
There are any number of things that can cause stress when living with a disability. Learning not to sweat the small stuff will mean that you don’t dig yourself into an early grave. Prioritise the things that require your immediate attention and let everything else wait or fall away completely.
6: Being Different Is Great
Standing out amongst the crowd is actually a good thing. Blending in means that you don’t get as many opportunities or experiences. Life has cool moments when you are a little bit different – there are great people to meet and new things to try.
7: You Can Break The Mould
When living with a disability, you can pretty much rule out being part of the ‘in crowd’. Embrace the fact that you don’t need to fit in to feel good about yourself. When you realise that freedom, you will feel amazing.
8: You Can’t Judge A Book By Its Cover
Just because you have a disability doesn’t mean you can’t achieve amazing things. Look at Stephen Hawking for example. He suffers from Motor Neuron Disease which has slowly paralysed his body over a number of years. But he has one of the brightest minds in the world, dominating the field of physics and becoming a published author.
9: Embrace Life, It Is Short
Sometimes having a disability can affect your lifespan, so there isn’t a minute to waste. Live each day as if it was your last. Enjoy each moment, even if it is a good cup of coffee or the smell of a flower.
10: Weakness Doesn’t Have To Be Bad
Living with a disability means you quickly learn the ability to accept help. And at one time or another, we all need to accept help. It can be a difficult skill to learn and admit that you can’t handle everything by yourself.