A Word about Disability
June 13, 2010
This week I thought I would talk about disability. For those of us on this road we never expected to travel, it is hard to understand the quirk of fate that brought us here. Although we have come to live with our disability, no matter what it is, it is always hard to accept. We go along doing what we think is right. People may even compliment us and tell us how brave we are, as if we have a choice. After all, the unspoken choice — to give up — isn’t really an option.
No one of us knows what fate has in store but we must continue to think and act positively about the future. Part of that is planning. Yes, planning trips we want to take, planning things we still want to accomplish, and preparing for new roads ahead.
Some of us have visible disabilities; others have disabilities no one can see. But that doesn’t matter — we continue to do our best by keeping hope alive.
Who has it best, or worst? Only we can make that judgment about our lives. Some of the bravest people I know don’t even know they are brave. Their attitude of positive thinking, of being open to new experiences, belies the past trouble in their lives or the problems they continually face.
Do we get to write our own stories or are they written by others? Certainly, I think we get to draft our own stories, which will be interpreted by others. Are we the tragic hero, or life’s fool? We all know how our stories will end, but it is up to us to fill the scenes with joy and with new journeys before the curtain closes. “Disabled” is just one word; our job is to make sure there are other more important adjectives that describe who we are.
Look Good While Traveling
June 6, 2010
So far, we have discussed a lot of topics about traveling and getting around our limitations. Our advice has been both practical and realistic, I hope. But now I am going to change gears and move to a topic that is both sensible and aesthetic. One of the things that no one talks about, or I have not read about, is body image for people with disabilities. Maybe it is because it is such a sensitive topic, no one wants to discuss it, or no one knows how. Well, fools rush in where wise men fear to tread.
All of us have our own limitations when it comes to dressing. In particular, I think women have a harder time finding clothes that are both easy to put on and feel attractive to wear. This is certainly true for everyday clothes but becomes particularly important when traveling. We want to feel attractive so we can feel good about ourselves.
Well, at the Abilities Expo, I met a lovely young woman, Jordan Silver, who was not handicapped herself but designed clothes that are attractive and easy to put on. Needless to say, she piqued my interest. Why would she, be interested in making clothes for us? Well, everyone has a story and this is hers. Her aunt had ALS and as it became more difficult for her to get dressed, even with assistance, Jordan asked her aunt what would make her life easier? Thus a company was born that has a mission to produce fashionable yet easy-to-wear clothing!
Most adaptive clothing I had seen prior to Jordan’s fashion looked at best like a better-quality hospital gown (maybe I exaggerate just a tad) but I would recommend you go to her website and see for yourself what a little creativity in the right direction can do for you. Check out http://www.agapparel.com to see what I mean.
Feeling good about yourself, whether planning a trip, going to a restaurant or a friend’s place, should begin by looking good. There isn’t a woman on earth that, if given the chance, wouldn’t change something about herself. But you reach a point where you work with what you have, but that doesn’t mean you have to settle for second best! We may not look like we would want, but we can look the best we can and take pride in ourselves. Beauty is defined by how we see ourselves. And that is more than enough.
