People with disabilities, some people feel it is a blessing in some ways? Do you?

Question

Well, for example, my friends bf mother unfortunately had come down w/cancer on tongue [6 yrs. ago]
she had quit smoking YEARS ago.
anyway, she had to have her tongue removed but wrote down on a peice of paper to her stepson, it was "the best thing that ever happened to her in the long run, because now she see's everyday as a blessing, and feels/gives love to other's more deeply." [which b4 she wasn't like that at all. her disability changed her as a person within, and she's happier on many other levels than beforehand]
IF YOU have a disability, what has it taught you that you can TEACH OTHER'S who aren't so greatful in some area(s) in life??
Please share
TY

Answer 1

No - I DO NOT see it as a blessing. Not being able to walk , or not being to keep up with other kids in class (intellectual disability) or having a condition that will make you look different to other norms in society is NEVER a blessing.

Acquiring a disability may result in a better appreciation of life and make us understand how fortunate we are - because now we have something in our lives we can compare with our (not disabled) past and with what we used to consider "normal". But that does not mean we like to have a disability.

Yes... the lady you talked about felt it was the best thing that happened to her - but she still have to live with THAT disabling condition. But I bet she would rather NOT have the cancer.

I think we need to be careful we don't fall into a trap of making something NOT normal into something beautiful or something to "aspire to". This is the stuff that the "pity party" and the "patronising- charitable- poor-disabled-people" crowd love to get into.

A disability MAY change us to be a better person but would anyone of us purposely go out and ACQUIRE a disability so that we can become a better person? Of course not.
Also - having a disability DOES NOT always make a person better. There are many many people who are angry with the world and have a chip on their on their shoulder BECAUSE of the disability.

So you see... DISABILITY can go BOTH WAYS.

Answer 2

Hi I have Lupus among other things. Before I was a spoiled, self centered, work centered partier. I did have a child as a teen so I was also a single mom.

I met a man, we got married and had a baby, right after her birth I got very ill. It took awhile, but it was Lupus. My world went upside down. But after a couple years I started finding the blessings. Instead of working 70 hours a week, I was home with my kids. Unable to do a lot with them, but home. So they werent raised by strangers, They werent running the streets, having sex (well the youngest just entered her teens, but has been taught well, and has no intrest, time, and has supervission, not to do that, just like the oldest). So no teen pregnancies, no drug issues, both are athelets, one water polo, the other tak wham do. so thats one blessing.

The other, is My marrige is very strong. I dont work, so I can be there for him, and the stress of his life. My cleaning abilities are limited (no harsh cleansers, or bending) but laundry, auwsome cook, and other things, work great, lol.
Im one of the few I know that actually laughs and communicates with my husband.

Finally, Im a pretty smart girl, I have not only learned about Lupus, but other autoimmune diseases, and started a support group online. we grow daily. we can have 6,000 posts a month. I write on a variety of topics, I and a few others do research for the group, and we support, each other through some very difficult illnesses.

So having this has been a mixed blessing. My life is slower, Ive seen death approach a few times, but Im more open, giving, loving and caring. Im a better person. whomever or whatever you believe (Im not sure myself) destiny perhaps, did this and put me in this position for a reason.

thanks,
Chris

Answer 3

I've heard of rude awakenings or hitting rock bottom, but as for having your tongue removed due to cancer, how could this possibly be a blessing. It's a fact of life yes, but a hard pill to swallow when it comes to being a good thing. I have lost the use of my right hand, is it a blessing? No way, it didn't come from me doing anything bad like drinking or drugs it came from a bad surgeon. Never once have I looked at it as a blessing, there is no positive thing that can come from a life altering disability. Life must go on, at least for most, and we learn to accept what have been given to us, we have no choice. Did I become a better person because I cannot use my right hand, No, did I become a worse person, No.
Look at these young men coming back from iraq, one from my state, he lost both arms and both legs, humm, how can that possibly make his life better, other then he got to come home.

Answer 4

I have found that my disability helps me to be more compassionate to others who are disabled or just having a bad day. It's helped me to see that no one is in complete control of their lives all the time, that no one is perfect and, most important, that it's okay.

I do not avoid people who are different than me and I am not likely to view others as "lesser" than me. I see that we all have our virtues and our vices and that everyone, no matter what is "wrong" with them, are still people.

Sometimes I wish I didn't have my disability--I wouldn't go so far as to call it a blessing! But it's here to stay and it's taught me more about compassion and understanding than anything else could have.

Answer 5

My eldest brother became a parplegic after a motorcycle accident. It's been 20 yrs now.
At first, my family and I were extremely concerned as he was in a deep depression.
After a great amount of time, he found his relief in the bible. That worked for him.
His accident has taught my family to be extremely grateful for what we have physically and mentally/emotionally.
I am so proud of him for having the strength to pull through...he's an inspiration to me.
I now am chair for local spinal research charity....I am a better person today because of him

Answer 6

I remember hearing the late Dana Reeve speak about the late Christopher Reeve on Oprah and she said that Christopher said his riding accident wasn't the best thing that ever happened to him, but it made him less self-absorbed and less shallow. After his accident , if you read his first book, he was full of anger and made fun of the disabled people who wrote him to offer encouragement. Dana Reeve said he'd changed his mind after living with his disability that it helped him realize what was needed to help others with spinal chord injuries like his and that despite being disabled he could still contribute to the world.

Terry Fox who lost his leg to Cancer , the fund in his name has raised hundreds of millions of dollars for cancer research.

And Rick Hansen the man in motion who now has his own foundation has raised millions of dollars for spinal chord research that if he had remained able bodied might not have ever done.

I think for most people with disabilities anyway, not all, having a disability gives us more empathy towards others with disabilities as well as seniors and others who are isolated or vulnerable in society.

Having a disability has taught me to advocate for not only myself but for others. As I was told recently I have a unique perspective on society and am the heart and soul of the community in which I live. And this was from someone who I wouldn't have counted as a friend in the past.

Answer 7

I dont have a disability but my mum is terminally ill with kidney failure. I live with my husband with crohn's disease. With two closest people in my life and seeing what they go through, it has change my attitude towards life.

I am thankful to the Lord for His blessings of a good health and i am more compassionate in people's suffering to the extend that at times I cld feel their pains. I also learn how to be more responsible for my health and learn to take life easy.

Answer 8

i had my disability from birth so I never known life without it.

I do not find blessing in my disability it self but rather the chacter that it given me. Made me look at life from different proceptives. I love watching Paralympic games.
The biggest blessing God has given me is the ability to paint and draw.

Answer 9

I can be a blessing or a curse but most people with disabilies see it one way and avarage people see it another. I have several disablies. I meet diffrent types of people because they as me questions about it or like to talk to me. I am usually the name people remember first.

Answer 10

i haven't suffered from any disability. but i have done many reports on them and know people who suffered or are suffering from them. disabilities always change people's lives in different ways. it may open a door to wonder and greatness, or depression and sadness. sometimes disabilities can make people set themselves aside from others, causing this to happen. but it really depends on how u take the reaction from others and of the person suffering. also disabilities may have symptoms that don't really let you experience things the same way others do. this can create great difficulties. but if u were depressed all ur life, and u got a disability and received attention. that attention can brighten ur day. it is really based on how the disabeled person takes his or her reactions of others and of him or herself.