Disability and independence. Finding the strength to make the right choices

Posted in Sandi's blog on 22 June 2010 | 0 Comments

We all make choices in life, some good, some bad and some indifferent, but whatever our circumstances, by being human beings, we are constantly making decisions that affect our lives. Now, I am not suggesting that our circumstances are always a direct result of the decisions we make, as the only thing that caused my blindness is biology, but I do know that wherever you may find yourself right now, the decisions and choices you make from here on in will influence where you are going and how you will get there.

I remember a time not too long ago when I would have read what I have just written and absolutely, unequivocally refuted it. I felt resigned to my fate, my perception of limited choices and any so called decisions were, in my mind, predetermined by virtue of my disability and I refused to budge, but slowly and over time, I realised that if I could change one thing, that everything else would start to change with it. But the problem was that what I needed to change was me and my prejudice about myself. I actually believed that my blindness diminished who I was as a person and that the choices that were available to me before I registered blind were now gone. And this was simply not true. Sure, things were different, but these differences were adaptations and modifications not some wholesale loss of who I was and what I had already achieved.

So, I decided to get up off my backside, stop thinking that the end is nigh and start thinking of all of the opportunities and possibilities that life could hold if I choose. If I remained as I was, resentful of the cards I was dealt, I would certainly be guaranteed to make bad decisions that would get me nowhere, and I searched deep into my soul to find the strength to have gratitude, to find the balance where I was making the right choices and where my intent was pure, driven by hope and positivity. And it was not easy, as although I believed in myself, I had much more rejection from others than I did acceptance, but still I forged on. Why? Because I choose life. And when I start to deviate and digress towards anger, I stop and reflect and remind myself that every decision I make is a choice between a grievance and a miracle.

0 comments | Tags: Choice, Disability, Independence, Living with Sight Loss