This I Believe...
In
1951, Edward R. Murrow started the movement This I Believe, asking America to answer what single belief guided their life.
Since then, with the help of a recurring National Public Radio segment, published
book and website, this question has spawned discourse across generations. This I Believe has been a guiding light
for my life, from the moment I asked myself the challenging question Edward R.
Murrow has been posthumously asking people for years: “What do I believe?” I
can confidently say that I believe in every mishap and fortune that has taken
place in my life thus far. Simply put, I believe in my life.
While
I have been faced with many challenges in my life, it is nearly impossible to
skim over one of my biggest obstacles: my disability. I was born with
Ectrodactylism, defined as the congenital absence of one or more fingers or
toes. But beyond this – when I was in the prime of my playground kickball days
– my left foot was amputated due to a surgery gone wrong. At the time, doctors told me I would struggle to walk
again, and high-intensity activities (such as my beloved kickball) were likely
out of the question. Clearly, they were wrong. While I sought to prove them
wrong through sheer will and determination, I owe a lot of my progress to the
constant support and encouragement of those closest to me. In fact, nearly
eighteen years later, my family and friends still push me to my limits. For example, I've tried to run a 5K each year since 2012 -- although it is definitely a challenge for me. But what challenge can’t be
overcome by the encouragement of friends, the thrill of accomplishing a goal, a
tube of Bengay and about 10 pounds of colorful paint?
And
this is how it has always been – a strong group of loving friends and family to
support me. As such, I was a pretty happy camper during my formative years
growing up in Nebraska. I was never teased about my handicap or prosthetic foot,
with the exception of one boy in the 4th grade (and once I gave him a swift kick ‘where the sun don’t shine’ with my Forest Gump-like metal brace, he never
said another taunting word to me again… in fact, he even turned out to be my
7th grade “boyfriend”). Beyond this, I never had any other issues. I didn’t
realize until I was much older what a blessing that truly was. Shortly after
moving to the east coast, I ran into a mother and her young son while shopping
on Newbury Street. Her son had been following me around the store because he noticed
my hands were similar to his and wanted to ask me a few questions. The mother later
confided that he was constantly teased by his classmates and he couldn’t shake
the feeling that he was an outsider.
It
broke my heart.
I
came to realize that there were many other kids facing similar battles, and my
experience was just an anomaly. Perhaps kids don’t realize it… or maybe they
can be truly cruel, but having a physical disability is a daily struggle and does not need to be amplified by others’
taunting and teasing. So how do we help these children pull through? The way
the rest of us pull through our personal struggles – by surrounding ourselves
with the people who can love and support us.
This
support is why I wanted to pay it forward – to give to others what was
unconditionally given to me. I was fortunate enough to be accepted as a volunteer at Camp No Limits so I could strengthen
my ‘no limits’ philosophy and encourage others.
Camp No Limits was established
in 2004 to provide children with limb loss and other physical disabilities a
weekend with other children, physical therapists, prosthetists and advocates. I
originally found out about the camp through my prosthetic provider, Hanger
O&P. They have been sponsoring the camp for many years and thought I would
be interested in attending as a camper. While I never attended this camp as a kiddo, or
any camp specialized for children with disabilities, the importance of having
such an experience wasn’t lost on me.
With
the motto to “transform disability to ability,” the camp is designed like many
other youth camps – with nature hikes, swimming, sporting events and crafts.
But the campers are able to easily participate in these activities, as they are
specifically tailored to their handicaps. Additionally, the camp helps
eliminate any discomfort or shyness of being around fully-capable children. As
Camp No Limits prefers to staff the camp with adult amputees or
physically-challenged, it also provides an opportunity for volunteers to share
their experiences, inspiration and support with many of these children who need
it.
To say the experience was life-changing is not enough... it was honestly the most beautiful thing I have ever experienced. I think about my experience almost every week -- and daydream about finding my way back to it. I've tried again and again to transfer my thoughts about my experience to paper, but have failed again and again. This video is the most I can offer you from my time at the camp.
It's been almost 2 years since I've been able to volunteer at the camp, but I have been able to attend fundraisers for the camp in that time. Although it isn't my ideal way of staying involved, fundraisers and donations play a crucial role in Camp No Limits. Having a physical disability not only takes an emotional toll, but an economic
one by way of prostheses, orthopedic shoes and so forth. These fundraisers help waive the fee of a family/child
wanting to attend the camp. If you're ever looking for an organization to donate to, I would highly suggest this one (and you can donate here).
For
most of my life, I have done my best to not be identified or consumed by my
physical abilities (or inabilities). This isn’t to say that I don’t own the role it plays in who I am. I do,
and truthfully, I have had a lot of fun doing it (ask me about the time I
turned my prosthetic foot backwards for a high school track meet…). I honestly believe everything happens for a reason and we just need to have faith in the hand we were dealt (yes, that pun was intentional). For all of us, there is a greater reason or calling as to why we live the lives we do. So, to once again answer Edward R. Murrow’s question: I believe my life was the right choice for me. And I've come to find that one of the most important goals in my life is to help others to believe in the lives they were given, too.
Stay tuned... I hope to find my way back to Camp No Limits soon. ♥
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