Success Over Scars
It seems like it’s been a year of disasters! Hurricane Helene bombarded the southeast with devastating force; fires broke out in California, a deep freeze in the southwest (and southeast) caused alarm for many folks not used to such temperatures, and even two separate airplane disasters most recently.
Some of the problems encountered could be handled, although it was difficult, others are still waiting to be attended to. We all want to live satisfying, independent lives. Yet when disaster hits, we are often compelled to ask for help. It’s the way we as humans, seem to survive best.
During these disasters one component many don’t even think about is the family with a member who has a disability. In this scenario, it often takes previous thought on how to navigate transportation, medical supplies, food, or other specific criteria for successful moving around, physically and emotionally. And if it’s a sudden disaster, it’s a whole new ball game! Even the moderately adapted person who has a disability can be left in a precarious situation, if a disaster strikes. While they are independent, some things still require assistance.
As parents, we want our children to succeed, regardless of ability. Even if our child has a disability, we want them to thrive. Sometimes it takes years of training on different levels to make this happen. There can be all kinds of barriers and hurdles to navigate to reach that pinnacle of independence! Just working through this can take exhaustive courage. While the future is in ‘wait’ before them, the path to get there is often unknown!
The desire must be great to accomplish this feat. The scars from a disability can be emotional as well as, physical. As they move forward, they must listen to their inner voice to remind them that the feedback they are getting, even if unkind, is worth the effort they are putting forth to succeed. Success can and does happen however, even when the disability seems like a disaster, which can’t be overcome!
I watched a movie based on a true story a few years back which impacted my perception of courage and possibilities! It was about a young woman surfer, Bethany Hamilton. While surfing, she was attacked by a shark and ultimately lost her left arm. While this was clearly a disaster —-an immediate one relative to the rest of her life—and a horrible experience, she proved success can come in spite of her scars.
She not only survived the attack, but her love for surfing drove her back into the waves. She turned professional and competed against other non-disabled surfers. She’s acquired awards and trophies because of her skills! Beyond that, her story is motivating and has the potential to fuel power to someone who is battling their own ‘disaster’, related to some form of disability.
Our 'disaster' in life doesn’t have to be a physical disability. It can be almost anything that will force us to look at life in a way we’d never had to before. It could be a literal natural disaster or a disaster which slams us head on, like an accident or a sudden death in the family, a chronic illness, a huge financial loss or a hundred other things.
Valentine’s Day is later this week. Perhaps this is the perfect time to reflect on your life, your abilities and gifts you’ve been given. It’s not about doing everything perfect. it’s about doing the ‘best you can with what you’ve got’. Further with this ‘love holiday’ it’s also about focusing on those around you whom you care about, and accepting them for exactly who they are and revel in their God given abilities, no matter what they are (or aren’t)!
Our gifts are each unique, not only in the ways we display or present them, (especially in a disaster) but in the ways we affect others with them. Give your best this Valentine’s Day and rejoice in all the things your loved can do! And remember those who seem to only be able to do less, have other gifts to share, like determination, courage and the drive to keep ‘keeping on’ no matter what!
HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!