To disabled people(like myself)....?

Question

I just watched a video, which i now added to my blog(link below), and it made me feel bad about how i cant do alot of things. it is of three friends who were adventurous and skiied, paddled, and surfed all in one day. I was born with Spina Bifida, and although I can walk, there are alot of things I cant just go and do. like i cant swim, so i couldnt do the surfing like those three friends did. i wish i could just be spontanous and have fun, it sucks that life has to be so much more challenging for me. i always have to think "can i do this, is there a bathroom there(i have bathroom issues)" before i go places. it causes me to be fearful of doing many things! does anyone else disabled here feel this? how can i get over this and live like those three people???
my blog with the video: http://www.brightideasofateenager.blogspot.com

im 17 by the way

its not that my actual disability limits me, i think it might be that i think it limits me. i dont need to go to special disability things(like the horse riding). maybe im just afraid to do things that arent very safe.

Answer 1

I am disabled and my future according to the doctors is a wheelchair I live my life to the fullest and do not plan on letting the ability to walk affect what I do in the future or now.
I go weeks without being able to walk without pain there is not a day that goes by that I do not have pain but I don't really care anymore I have one life to live so I plan to live it to my best abilities.I will and do everything I should not be doing by I stated to the doctors there comes a point in ones life when one needs to evaluate the quality of life compared to just
living.
My uncle was in a wheelchair he had hemophilia and he never let anything stand in his way he would water ski but he did it a little different he hunted and worked on vehicles he did anything he wanted to do and so can you
I want to live not survive.
The video was okay but I can find my own stuff I like doing and would rather do what I can do than watch others do stuff.Where is the fun in that.

Answer 2

I am lucky, I had the chance to do so many things before becoming disabled. I often tell my kids dont wait to do things, do it now, or people will say "when I retire I am going to take a trip" Do it now - you never know what tomorrow will bring.

I cant climb anymore but I can photograph mountains, and sit and appreciate the scenery. Its preferable to just staying home, I cant paddle a canoe but someone else can - and I get to sit there. I cant crew when it comes to sailing, but I can still go sailing. Or could if I had the money - and did a few years ago. It was wonderful ! We hit some high seas - I am SO happy I went, wouldnt have missed it for the world.

Many disabled people go white water rafting, the tour guides are well experienced and used to have disabled people along.

As one person suggested can you find other outlets for yourself? You cant surf but how about going sailing? You will be able to "skim" over the waves, feel the spray on your face. and have a good time. If it was me I would wear a diaper for the day and to hell with the limitations. But there are heads aboard the boats. It starts with a phone call --

What about contacting the International Assocation for Disabled Sailing and see if they know how you can get out on the water, and not crew? see link below.

You cant ski, however how about tobagganing instead?

Google fun recreation for disabled people and see what else you come up with

I have found that for almost everything in life there is an alternative - you have to find someone willing to help make it happen for you, do you have that kind of support?

Answer 3

I have an ostomy, which acts up on occasion, I'm also visually impaired since birth. I have osteoporosis. I can't swim a stroke, I actually sink when I've tried. I am a klutz . My mother tried ballet and gymnastics to help me with my balance, I was comic relief.

Not even all able bodied people can surf or ski or do all the things those girls did. Lucky them.

Find something you can do, yoga, tai chi, for example . Did you know John Mellancamp has had spina bifida since his birth, true it's a mild case but look at what he's achieved.

Eleanor Roosevelt once said no one can make you feel inferior unless you give your permission. Stop giving yourself permission to have a perpetual pity party .

Concentrate instead on the things you CAN do, do you have talents in other areas. Can you draw well? Do you sing ? Play an instrument? Write well? Have you ever considered riding therapy with horses as a passtime?

No one is going to like you if you don't like yourself first.

Harsh words , but true . I know I'm 53 and I've had disabilities all of my life. It hasn't stopped me , it shouldn't stop you as there are far more activities available to young disabled persons now than when I was a teenager.

Stop living in the shadows of oh poor me , step out into your life and shoot for the gold no matter what it is in.

Answer 4

Not all disabilities are the Same If you're in a Wheelchair you're as sound-Minded as a Normal Person, If you're Mentally Ill you can walk and Talk like Everybody Else, so since you're in a Wheelchair you do feel the Pride and Frustrations of a Normal Human Being at Least you got a Brain use it.

Answer 5

well... i am 16, and have it a bit worse off than you (I am stuck in a power chair and need assistance to go to the bathroom) but I can say that it is easier if people don't expect you to do the things they do. It feels bad, but if they care and accept that you cannot do things, it isn't too bad. I would say try to do things with your friends that you CAN do. For example, I hold parties where a bunch of guys come over and play board games for 6-8 hours and we have a lot of fun. Your mentality is not wrong, in fact it is bred into us so that we have a better chance at survival, and EVERYBODY feels it (except some dare devils... but then, they ARE dare devils).

Answer 6

Do you actually want to do that stuff? If you do, start looking into adaptive sports equipment. There are tons of things out there to help people with all kinds of disabilities do all kinds of things. You can try to see around your limitations or your can let them stand in the way of the future you want.

Answer 7

sometimes i get like that. " oh i wish i could ...." like there have been times where i have tried to think of a way to get around my disability so that i could do the things i wanted. But so far i havent come up with a solution.

ive learned for the most part to accept that i cant do certain things and i've learned to enjoy doing other things.

Answer 8

I understand. I don't have limb injuries, I have chemical injuiries making me imbalanced and living off of a needle. I don't have the limitations maybe, but the same handicap in life.

Everyone does, to some extent, they just add to the aspects that they are gifted with.

Answer 9

I am also disabled,but when i look around me when l'm having a pity party I see others much worse off and am thankfull that I was given a second chance at life!Try to learn to be happy you are alive!

Answer 10

Some of the Highest wall to climb over are the ones we build to keep ourselves in .
Mu quote and my reason for staying in .