I am the person who seems to have the most health problems in the family. For that reason, I frequently get most of the attention from friends and acquaintances.
What was a real eye opener, though, was how MY problems turned into THEIR problems, too. I became aware that my illness or my injury has a greater effect on each person in the family than I had considered. My disability really is OUR problem. With that in mind, I have to remember to reach out; make comfort and support available to everyone. Share what is going on even if I don't feel like talking about it.
With that in mind, while it is kind that people show support by crediting me for being so brave, courageous, etc., they need to be reminded that I would give up being the poster child in a hot second if I could get my function back. I also know that the family wishes I could have that, too. I know that I couldn't be 'successful' without them. 'Them' includes aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws, etc., etc.. It takes a village to raise a person with a disability...
What was a real eye opener, though, was how MY problems turned into THEIR problems, too. I became aware that my illness or my injury has a greater effect on each person in the family than I had considered. My disability really is OUR problem. With that in mind, I have to remember to reach out; make comfort and support available to everyone. Share what is going on even if I don't feel like talking about it.
With that in mind, while it is kind that people show support by crediting me for being so brave, courageous, etc., they need to be reminded that I would give up being the poster child in a hot second if I could get my function back. I also know that the family wishes I could have that, too. I know that I couldn't be 'successful' without them. 'Them' includes aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws, etc., etc.. It takes a village to raise a person with a disability...
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