A man with a physical disability only wants to be successful in life.
People often assume that just because I don't walk well that I can't do a lot of things.
They also tend to think that just because I am physically disabled that my brain is too, and sometimes, they tend to treat me like a child, which really infuriates me.
I am always having to prove myself to others, and before I got my current job at Wal*Mart (I am a greeter; I greet the customers as they come in and bide them goodbye as they leave), I had a devil of a time trying to find gainful employment. People saw my obvious disability, and they didn't give me a second look, or they slammed the door in my face, saying, "We don't need you", or things like "I am sorry, but we already have more than enough staff", or "We'll call you if we are interested; check back another day". It was enough to make me want to give up, but I didn't. I was tired of living just on disability every month; I wanted to be a productive member of society, which was my main goal in seeking gainful employment.
I am physically disabled because of ongoing back problems and osteoarthritis. I walk with the aid of forearm crutches, but when I am in more pain than usual, I use either an electric cart (scooter) or my wheelchair. The same applies if I have to do a lot of extra walking (such as at my job; the place I work at is very large). I also have bronchial asthma (and allergies, which coincide with my asthma), and I have high blood pressure. In addition to all this, I also have depression; and I am currently on medication to help me deal with it. I have my bad days and my good days; some days, I feel as though I am on top of things and I feel invincible; on other days, it is a struggle just to get out of bed in the morning or face yet another day. It is an ongoing battle, yet I manage to persevere.
Before I got my job at Wal*Mart, I spent a lot of time at home while my wife was the principal breadwinner; or I stayed home and took care of the kids before they went to school in the morning. I would have to get up at the crack of dawn just to make sure that all the kids were out of bed, dressed, and had their school supplies ready before they headed out the door, and it was a daunting challenge at times. Now I work five or six days a week at Wal*Mart, and I feel that I am finally able to say that I am a productive member of society, and it gives me a sense of pride, power, and accomplishment. The extra money that I bring in helps out with the neverending parade of bills that come to our door, and it gives me a sense of hope and satisfaction.
But people oftentimes don't realize all the hard work I have had to go through to reach the point of where I am now. They just see my physical infirmities, or they think that I don't know a thing when I do. I am quite intelligent (or so I have been told), and I am able to discern as to whether people are being condescending towards me or not. I also happen to know a thing or two about life and how unfair it often is for people who happen to have any type of disability or "chronic condition". I may be disabled, yes, but I happen to have a lot of know how and experience, and I happen to be a very good worker, father, and husband. I provide for my family, and my family is the most important thing in my life under God.
What I am trying to get at is this: just take a moment to try to get to know me, and you will find out that even though I don't walk or get around as easily as you do, I can still perform my duties quite well, and I happen to love my life, such as it is. I love my job, I love my wife and my family, and I love serving my Lord and Saviour! Just don't assume that because I am disabled on the outside that my mind is too because I am here to tell you that there is NOTHING "disabled" about my mind or my feelings! I happen to be VERY abled, and I am proud at all that I have accomplished in my life!
Will all have a 'disability' of some sort, and we do all hope and pray to be successful in life - thank you for this exceptional, enligtening write my friend!!
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People often assume that just because I don't walk well that I can't do a lot of things.
