You are so right. Or left. ;-) The Greatest Generation came together to fight the common enemy. We saw a little of that post 9-11. But when the enemy is within, as someone said, it's so sad. Let us agree to turn our palms up and reach out. Thanks for reading! ~Linda
I always tell my students to never TRY to be profound. If you happen to write something profound, it will come from a deep place (in my case where God hangs out) of seeing suffering and transforming it to mercy. I admire you so much, so thank you. ~Linda
It’s funny to me that j remember meeting you so clearly, but have no memory of your disability…you shine so brightly I guess I didn’t notice!
I was othered as well—the little fat kid because my thyroid had died, and who missed great portions of fifth grade being in the hospital because, you guessed it—my thyroid died.
I learned a lot in Doernbecher Children’s Hospital about how kids dealt with disability, and even racism (it being the 60s in Portland OR)…
Ah, a fellow traveler. I survived polio at age 8 months, so I don't remember being normal (as if I was ever normal, LOL!) Undetectable disabilities are often so hard--nobody expects anything less than THEIR abilities from you. I wrote an essay about substance use disorder called The JUST Drawer--the idea being that people tend to think and say, "Oh just . . .fill in the blank. They can't imagine a world any different from what they experience. I guess it's up to us to be the bright light, eh? Love and hugs, Linda
Well next week's lesson is always knowing how to laugh at yourself so you don't get weepy and bitter. Nobody likes a crip with no sense of humor. I adore you, friend! Much love and an air hug, Linda
Thank you for a deeply meaningful article. It's especially
Àpropo right now.
Janet,
You are so right. Or left. ;-) The Greatest Generation came together to fight the common enemy. We saw a little of that post 9-11. But when the enemy is within, as someone said, it's so sad. Let us agree to turn our palms up and reach out. Thanks for reading! ~Linda
Thank you Linda. This is so profound. 💜
Susy,
I always tell my students to never TRY to be profound. If you happen to write something profound, it will come from a deep place (in my case where God hangs out) of seeing suffering and transforming it to mercy. I admire you so much, so thank you. ~Linda
It’s funny to me that j remember meeting you so clearly, but have no memory of your disability…you shine so brightly I guess I didn’t notice!
I was othered as well—the little fat kid because my thyroid had died, and who missed great portions of fifth grade being in the hospital because, you guessed it—my thyroid died.
I learned a lot in Doernbecher Children’s Hospital about how kids dealt with disability, and even racism (it being the 60s in Portland OR)…
Ah, a fellow traveler. I survived polio at age 8 months, so I don't remember being normal (as if I was ever normal, LOL!) Undetectable disabilities are often so hard--nobody expects anything less than THEIR abilities from you. I wrote an essay about substance use disorder called The JUST Drawer--the idea being that people tend to think and say, "Oh just . . .fill in the blank. They can't imagine a world any different from what they experience. I guess it's up to us to be the bright light, eh? Love and hugs, Linda
I get a lot of that nonsense about my fibromyalgia too.
Sigh. They're are too many ways to be different that people dump into the other column. Sorry.
The bitter irony is we all benefit from the results of your limitations. Thank you for choosing to be resilient.
Well next week's lesson is always knowing how to laugh at yourself so you don't get weepy and bitter. Nobody likes a crip with no sense of humor. I adore you, friend! Much love and an air hug, Linda