Life is always a mystery, you never know what to expect. For me, my life was written since I was born. I was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy and the doctors said there was a great possibility that I wouldn't make it through the night. When I was two years old the same doctors said i would probably never read, write, or go to regular school.
However, I want you to go back to the first two sentences. Read them once, read them twice, and then read them one final time. No offense to any doctors who are reading this, but these mistakes, our mistakes I'm happy you made. Last week in my feature writing class I had the opportunity to reflect on my life.
Our assignment was to make a list of life-long lessons that we've learned, and I would like to share my list with you.
1. Sometimes, it's good to be "the slow guy" in a world that moves way too fast."
2. Scars from surgery are caused by everything, except what they are actually caused from.
3. Tremors in my hands give me the perfect excuse to grow a cool beard.
4. I will be single all my life before giving up the nickname "the nice guy."
5. Chicks dig the guy with the hurt leg.
6. Going single to your prom is not a bad thing. It just means you have about 200 dates to choose from once you get there.
7. You can never smile too much. In fact, smiling can be the perfect medicine.
8. You can never have too many friends.
9. More often then not, you find those friends in the most unlikely places.
10. It's ok if I never fully learned how to ride a bike. Four wheels are better then two.
11. You can never learn too much.
12. Once I've learned everything that's when I'll know I'm dead. And even then, there is still more I can learn.
13. Refer to number 7.
14. Whether you like someone or not, they've been brought into your world, so try to make them feel noticed.
15.It's fun being nice to people who love you, but it's even better being nice to those who do not like you.
The list is not finished. It could never be finished. But I wanted to share with you what I had so far. I think the moral of this story is that even when you think you know what to expect in your life, always expect the unexpected. Now I would like you to share with me, your list. E-mail or facebook me some life-long lessons you've learned. Remember, life's a hell of journey, so make it a good one.
E-mail: cpawareness1@live.com
facebook: facebook.com/mattpowell
Monday, October 25, 2010
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Keeping the Record Straight
When I first created "The CP Optimist," I said I would always be open to any Comments or questions anyone might have. Well, last week, I received a couple questions and comments that I feel obligated to address.
First, the person (whose name shall remain anonymous due to privacy ) said, "It's kind of self centered to dedicate an entire weekly article to yourself and your illness. It's like you're fishing for sympathy." If the columns have seemed self-centered I apologize.
They're not meant to be just about me, although they are about my experiences with CP. I write about my experiences so hopefully, others can relate and gain a sense of optimism and hope that they are never alone.
Second, I think I could speak on behalf of all CP patients or anyone who suffers from a disease or disability by saying; we never "fish" for sympathy. In fact, it's quite the opposite. Most people on God's green earth never want sympathy, especially those who suffer from an illness. Why should we? We are just like everyone else it's just that sometimes, we have an extra hurdle to jump over.
Finally, the person had one more question. "Why do you need attention for your CP? You post statuses that say things like how much pain you're in. Why? That's very personal. Also, don't you feel as though you are ripping off Michael J. Fox and his terminology (optimist)?
This is a great question. In fact, I think it's THE question. I mean the whole reason why I even write these columns is to gain attention for Cerebral Palsy and to hopefully, help other people. As far as mentioning pain, I think you are referring to my column titled, "A true Optimist." In this column if you remember, I mentioned how I was feeling down about myself. I did this to show everyone that every person is human. If you have a bad day that's natural, but what's important is to keep going.
Going back to the question on why attention is needed for CP leads right into the heart of this column. I wonder, if anyone is familiar with the name James Jones. If not, you're about to be. James Jones is a man, who was just arrested in Orlando, Florida for defending his 13 year old daughter for being bullied on a school bus because of her Cerebral Palsy.
After numerous times of his daughter being laughed at, and receiving open condoms thrown in her hair, Mr. Jones couldn't handle his daughter's abuse anymore. He boarded the bus, threatening to kill the boys who were bullying her. Mr. Jones was arrested for disorderly conduct and disturbing a school function, but was later released from jail.
I really wish I had the opportunity to speak to Mr. Jones and his daughter. I would tell them, almost everyone who has CP or knows someone with the disability, understands the pain you've experienced. What's important is that we stick together and try to educate these types of bullies for their ignorance and lack of concern.
We've been presented with a challenge, a purpose; this can't be just a coincidence. We would probably share stories and experiences. I would show him all the columns I've written and maybe, he would be willing to give me tips on how I could make them even better.
Some will say Mr. Jones was wrong for how he acted on the bus. However, just like how an optimist is human and experiences pain sometimes, Mr. Jones is also human for how he reacted on the bus. This situation is one of many reasons why attention is needed for Cerebral Palsy.
In response to your question about stealing the term optimist from Michael J. Fox, all I could do is smile. I think if others weren't using the term Michael would feel that all of his work was for nothing. Believe it or not Michael is not the only optimist on this earth.
Mike is one of many people who have inspired me to write. I hope one day I get the chance to meet him. After all, my motto's always been that anything is possible.
First, the person (whose name shall remain anonymous due to privacy ) said, "It's kind of self centered to dedicate an entire weekly article to yourself and your illness. It's like you're fishing for sympathy." If the columns have seemed self-centered I apologize.
They're not meant to be just about me, although they are about my experiences with CP. I write about my experiences so hopefully, others can relate and gain a sense of optimism and hope that they are never alone.
Second, I think I could speak on behalf of all CP patients or anyone who suffers from a disease or disability by saying; we never "fish" for sympathy. In fact, it's quite the opposite. Most people on God's green earth never want sympathy, especially those who suffer from an illness. Why should we? We are just like everyone else it's just that sometimes, we have an extra hurdle to jump over.
Finally, the person had one more question. "Why do you need attention for your CP? You post statuses that say things like how much pain you're in. Why? That's very personal. Also, don't you feel as though you are ripping off Michael J. Fox and his terminology (optimist)?
This is a great question. In fact, I think it's THE question. I mean the whole reason why I even write these columns is to gain attention for Cerebral Palsy and to hopefully, help other people. As far as mentioning pain, I think you are referring to my column titled, "A true Optimist." In this column if you remember, I mentioned how I was feeling down about myself. I did this to show everyone that every person is human. If you have a bad day that's natural, but what's important is to keep going.
Going back to the question on why attention is needed for CP leads right into the heart of this column. I wonder, if anyone is familiar with the name James Jones. If not, you're about to be. James Jones is a man, who was just arrested in Orlando, Florida for defending his 13 year old daughter for being bullied on a school bus because of her Cerebral Palsy.
After numerous times of his daughter being laughed at, and receiving open condoms thrown in her hair, Mr. Jones couldn't handle his daughter's abuse anymore. He boarded the bus, threatening to kill the boys who were bullying her. Mr. Jones was arrested for disorderly conduct and disturbing a school function, but was later released from jail.
I really wish I had the opportunity to speak to Mr. Jones and his daughter. I would tell them, almost everyone who has CP or knows someone with the disability, understands the pain you've experienced. What's important is that we stick together and try to educate these types of bullies for their ignorance and lack of concern.
We've been presented with a challenge, a purpose; this can't be just a coincidence. We would probably share stories and experiences. I would show him all the columns I've written and maybe, he would be willing to give me tips on how I could make them even better.
Some will say Mr. Jones was wrong for how he acted on the bus. However, just like how an optimist is human and experiences pain sometimes, Mr. Jones is also human for how he reacted on the bus. This situation is one of many reasons why attention is needed for Cerebral Palsy.
In response to your question about stealing the term optimist from Michael J. Fox, all I could do is smile. I think if others weren't using the term Michael would feel that all of his work was for nothing. Believe it or not Michael is not the only optimist on this earth.
Mike is one of many people who have inspired me to write. I hope one day I get the chance to meet him. After all, my motto's always been that anything is possible.
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