This blog is by UCP/CLASS participant Greg Smith
The thought of life without a voice to speak can be disheartening at times as a man with a disability. Accepting this troubling circumstance can be a blessing for some or a horrible reality for others. You always want to have a positive attitude toward life and do the right thing. Sometimes having a disability which might include the inability to speak with a human voice is difficult. The more I think about life the more I wonder about my place in this universe as a man with a disability from birth. I know I have a productive contribution to make to society and I know I have strong self worth and belief in a higher power greater than my own. I know as a man with a disability I consider myself a valuable part of a society that is still a minority or is the “disabled community” still a minority after all this time? If yes, this is a shame because even those of us with disabilities are people first. Our disabilities are only a part of who we are; they do not define who we are. The older I get the more I grow in knowledge and experience about a variety of subjects. I am lucky to be alive.
Often acquaintances of mine groan because they believe I take too long to communicate since I do not talk with a human voice and that upsets me. This is understandable. Sometimes I miss out on what could be valuable friendships because they do not want to get to know the real me, they see the wheelchair and communication device and that is all they think I am about when in fact I am so much more. If they would just give us a chance to get to know each other and not make assumptions about me that are not true. I believe we are all here for a greater purpose than any of us realize. Each day that we live is another day to make positive memories with those we love. I am limited. I am not able to control myself physically except my thumb but I never wonder why I am like this, a man with a disability.
There are many obstacles in everyone’s life that we have to overcome. Each obstacle we face is different depending on our own circumstances, but we can never get down on ourselves. We must deal with each obstacle head on and not be afraid of the outcome whatever it may be. We learn and grow from it and become stronger for it sometimes knowing not to make the same mistake twice. You must believe that good will prevail over evil in all situations you encounter.
