Although we may have shared experiences, we will interpret and take different things from those shared experiences, that put us on a different path.
No matter my childhood, my path was to find out about a disability I didn't know about, to understand my life, my symptoms and so that I could finally 'get to know me' and to bring acceptance.
Choose not to define
My parents were supposed to do what they did, so that I would become an author, a writer and as I continue to love and grow from the experiences, it makes my experiences feel that little bit easier. Although growing up without knowing about my disability was difficult, I was determined not to be defined by it.
I have had to be my own advocate
If there was going to be a pioneer of someone talking about disability, then why not me? Without me telling 'my story' I would never have known about my disability, I would never have known about my symptoms, or about me.
As a child, I was only cognisant of the fact that I had ‘a bad leg and bad foot’ but never understood what those meant. Those were haunting thoughts. They were there, when I went to bed at night and when I woke in the morning. I knew there were things I didn’t know about myself.
Although my book Cerebral Palsy: 'A Story' shows that my story is unique, it also shows that each of us have a story that is valid and unique, but we need to dig deep. My thoughts and feelings in Cerebral Palsy: 'A Story' are open to everyone.
If you fancy reading either of my books, you can grab paperback and Kindle copies on Amazon, or through the following link https://linktr.ee/Ilana_Estelle
We all have shared experiences, but as you say it is all down to interpretation of those experiences, which is some way doesn't help us.
In your case though, your interpretations have been spot on. You have the ability to recall and write down your experiences in the way your experiences happened.
Thanks. I was always determined to look at my experiences positively, no matter what I went through.
I didn't want to tie into my experiences negatively. No matter if our experiences belong to us or we share our experiences, I believe the slant we put on those experiences is important.
However we see those experiences usually determines how our future will work out. The more positive we are, the more we will look for those opportunities.