If you're lucky enough to have supportive parents, you will learn many lessons from them, but sometimes the lessons we may take from them is how not to do things.
My fate was sealed the moment I was born, but it would go on to take me many years to understand why. In my mind, I was optimistic; optimistic but probably rather naïve in my thinking that my life would right itself that I would know about my disability and that my life would change. It never did, but it didn’t stop me thinking it would.
My lessons weren’t the usual parent daughter learning about life lessons. I would have to work things out for myself. I would emotionally have to work and continue to work through issues, not knowing I had cerebral palsy or what having cerebral palsy meant.
Years of always being treated differently for having CP damaged my self confidence. Back then deep down I knew I was more than how people perceived me, but was too afraid to speak up.
One of the lessons I am teaching myself is to gain self confidence. I realized what other people think of me doesn't define me, neither does my disability.
I only have one chance on life and I am going to try to enjoy it by being who I am and not worry what others thought or think of me. Plus I am giving my children a positive example; especially, my teenager who is struggling with self confidence.
Thanks Maria. I hear you! I think being born with something like CP would always mean we would be treated differently and I completely understand how you feel. I think outwardly it's very difficult to have what you and I have and not have our self-confidence knocked.
My thoughts helped me understand why I didn't have any self-confidence, but my own sense of self, helped me adjust to what I was having to deal with, not only with my CP, but also a lack of emotional support from my family.
If we are able to see and understand other people's roles in our life, I believe we can change our sense of self, by taking the onus of ourselves. I was aware that how I felt had nothing to do with me and therefore was able to hone in on myself so that I could concentrate on what I needed to deal with.
As long as family aren't pulling us down, I believe we can lift ourselves back up. I think you're a shining example for your daughter and that's all credit to you. Hopefully as your daughter reaches adulthood and comes to terms with herself and what makes her who she is, I am sure her self-confidence will come back.
The foundations have been put in place by you. With maturity it will all come into play.
Yes, the lessons I learned from my parents was what NOT to do, even though eventually I made a lot of the same mistakes and so much worse!
I became someone I didn't know and couldn't even stand being in my own skin. I tried so many times to take my own life but something was always trying to stop me from doing it. Thinking about it yesterday, I have pretty much spent the past 30 years just existing, letting life take me where it wanted to.
Only now do I finally feel like I'm worthy of living and look to make better use of what time I have left.
Thanks Randy. It saddens me to read your comment, but heartening to know that you didn't succeed, what you set out to do. I believe things aren't meant to happen for a reason, often unknown to us at the time. It's only later on that we come to understand.
You have so much to give Randy. You have a good heart and a lot of understanding of life through your negative experiences. Those are our lessons.
It's a shame your parents didn't see what I and others will see in you. What matters now is you bringing about the life you deserve to have. I'm routing for you.