Visible and invisible barriers are equally difficult to
overcome. With support, deliberate learning and mindfulness these
obstacles can be raised and enable people with disabilities to live more liberated
and self-fulfilled lives. I can think of
several people I know who have some form of disability but their determination
to ignore naysayers and live out their dreams is nothing short of
inspirational. My impulse is to list a
few but I dare not draw attention to a disability. Instead, I will tell you what they do and
pass on the inspiration. Here are some
things that have been accomplished by people I know personally with a serious disability: hairdresser, preacher, mechanic, actor, singer, author, teacher, and athletic class instructor.
I did not begin with the famous … Beethoven, Van Gogh, Frido
Kahlo, Stephen Hawking. And how about
freaking Helen Keller? All of these people did not want to be known for their physical difficulties, they ... just ... did. So, let me pass on one word of advice on this day which was passed on to me by a hearing impaired friend. "Telling someone they are 'inspirational' can be just as insulting as focusing on the disability."
Capische? May that little nugget inspire all of us to ... just ... DO.
Oh ... and P.S. ... it is also Naked Gardening Day. So I'm going to tear that barrier down right now! *wink*
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