A Simple Task

Sometimes it is hard to envision other people’s limitations when you don’t have any yourself. A simple thing like tying your shoes, opening a can, or brushing your teeth can require so much effort. This not only applies to lost limbs but different diseases such as Cerebral Palsy and Parkinson’s disease. When I see someone who is disabled you think automatically they that person doesn’t want to be treated any different, but they may need your assistance. Although the disabled person strives for independence, I always ask them if they need assistance. I try and put myself in their shoes and see how challenging situations would be. Although I don’t know exactly how it feels to be in the situation, I admire their courage and strength, both physically and mentally, to overcome all those obstacles.

When you see someone who acts and looks normal, you don’t expect the unexpected. They walk and talk normal, but it’s the things that you don’t see that make you stop and think. Diseases such as Crohn’s disease, Rheumatoid Arthritis, and Fibromyalgia, to name a few, have effects on a person that might make it hard for a person to function normally.
Just because a person is not in a wheel chair, uses a walker, or has a nurse by their side, does not mean that they are not affected by an illness. If you see someone and they might take a little extra time writing a check, maybe their arthritis is acting up, or if the change falls out of their hand because their hands are shaky, give these people time.

If you stop and notice, all things are not just physical, they are mental as well. If a person does not respond to something right away, allow them some time to gather their thoughts. Medications have so many side effects that they might affect our muscle, speech and our thinking process.

In a fast paced world, we need to allow others their time and space. Regardless if you are in line at the grocery store, dry cleaners, or at a main event, and someone is holding up the line, just take a deep breath and count your blessings.

Although I have only mentioned a few diseases, there are so many more. For some people it is a major struggle to get out of bed each day, others may only dream of that happening. No matter what your situation is, just cherish the breath you take.