Outwitting my fate is something I shall never regret. I showed up, subconsciously and consciously. I wanted to do more with my life than give in to something I didn’t know I had.

Being different

I was always aware there was something different about me and those years were difficult. Over the years coming face to face with my rock bottom, came in the shape of a commitment to change my mental and emotional health and I finally found a purpose in the shape of The CP Diary.

Staying present

I stayed present, and never gave up on wanting to find out what was wrong with me, wanting to know about 'me.' It was important my mental health didn't get the better of me.

I had already worked out that if I had ignored my issues, my mental health would start to take a knock. My gut kept telling me I needed to bide my time, and my time would come. I was confident about that.

Courage and determination 

But outwitting our fate takes courage, a determination and hunger for us to change. As a child, I didn’t think about success, but I don't think you do. Instead, we may think about what we want to do when we're grown up and whether we may find success. In many cases, it is simply changing what is, and watching out for any potential opportunities.

In years of working through change, I could never envisage or know how that would pan-out. For things to work out, our intentionality, what we intend, should be in keeping with what the universe expects, to make sure we're not stepping on anyone's toes to get what we want.

A burning desire

My only burning desire as a child was to know about what I thought was a disability. It angered, irritated and upset the hell out of me to know something was wrong with me and not know what it was. Those were difficult years.

Ilana Estelle is a mental health and wellbeing advocate who combines educational insight with her personal experience of living with physical, mental, and emotional disabilities. She holds diplomas in Counselling, Diet and Nutrition, Nutritional Therapy, Psychotherapy and Counselling, and Stress Management. Through her writing, Ilana supports others in navigating their emotional, mental, and physical health challenges. In addition to writing for The CP Diary, her work has appeared in healthy lifestyle magazines. Ilana is also the author of three books: Cerebral Palsy: A Story – Finding the Calm After the Storm, Spirituality, Healing and Me, and Survival: The Covid Years – Time for Change.

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2 comments on “Outwitting my fate”

  1. Yes, you have outwitted your fate by changing what happened to you, but I also have a different take on fate.

    I believe this was your fate all along. What you have done is embrace it, in a way which is an inspiration to us all and in a way which has empowered you.

    1. Thanks. Yes, I can see your take on what I do. I agree with your interpretation too.

      If things happen for a reason, what I have achieved is that reason. It is not always easy to comprehend that at the time, but I see it all clearly now.

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