Greetings,
People often ask me if I could somehow be magically cured, would I take the opportunity? Honestly it's not an easy question to answer. I decided to make a list of the pros and cons of being a cripple to see which one would win.
CON:
1- Everyday tasks are challenging and painful
2- People treat you differently
3- You feel like an outsider
4- You are never "normal"
5- Flat out inability to do certain tasks
PRO:
1- Handicap Parking Permit... HOLLA!
2- Inner strength and character
3- Different sense of reality
I'd like to elaborate on the last one. Thanks to my disability I've learned a lot of life's lessons in a relatively short period of time. This altered, and in my opinion, improved sense of reality is the best perk of being a cripple (although handicap parking permits are freakin' awesome). So to answer the question... if I could be magically cured would I take the opportunity? While I would love to be free of illness I would have a massive identity crisis without it, so I'll just save myself the trouble and stay as I am.
Extended Crippie's Tippies (Crippie's Life Lessons) Part 1
1) Sometimes you have to do something regardless of whether or not it is painful. I learned this with years of physical therapy. Physical therapy is crazy painful, but if I didn't do I wouldn't be able to walk.
2) All things will pass. Whenever I am in a lot of pain or going through a particularly hard day, I remember that's all it is, a bad day. It will pass and it will get better.
3) Be thankful for everything you can do. This is probably really hard to do and practice, but it's important. I know what it is like to suddenly lose the ability to do something, once I lose this ability I feel like crap for not realizing how awesome it was to be able to do it. For example, I've recently lost a lot of mobility in my shoulders, thus I cannot reach very high. I miss being able to grab something on the top of a cabinet. Now I am thankful for every little ability that I do have. While I will probably have more instances throughout my life of losing my ability to do something, sooner or later everyone will experience this. Take a moment every once in a while to appreciate what you have when you have it.
I wanted to ask , because of the fact that here in Canada a lot of people who are in chronic pain are allowed to grow their own weed , from what I have heard. Your book " Raising Cane " is not about growing weed, is it?
ReplyDeleteOMG You just made my night!
ReplyDeleteNo, my book isn't about growing weed. It's about how I decorate canes.
And while there are many people with chronic pain who use weed to help them, I don't. Inhaling smoke triggers asthma attacks for me (sad I know).
I'm happy to hear that you don't smoke that stuff. So basically you decorate walking canes ? I have seen some pretty fancy ones in my time. I have been in chronic pain with my back for about thirty years now. I had two back surgeries which at least put me back on my feet , but that about all they did. Time , more then anything else has helped my back improve a bit. It's been a long struggle.
ReplyDeleteYup, I decorate walking canes, I figure if you have to use one it might as well look good.
ReplyDeleteI hear ya Anonymous, chronic pain is a bitch
Hello, Im 26 with fibro mialgia, sever depression, and anxiety, my question is do you think it a good idea or beneficial to apply for disability? Sorry dont wanna sound stupid or lazy but my chronic pain is not allowing me to work or sometimes even get out of bed. Any suggestions??? Thx, Kerri J.
ReplyDelete