Hi and welcome back to Second Chance to Live my friends. You are always welcome around my table. During the past several days I have been a tad frustrated. My frustration arose from a conundrum. As an individual living with an invisible disability I am confronted with a reality. Through my process, I have come to accept that my gifts, talents and abilities are honed by my reality. I have also come to accept that my deficits and limitations stem from my reality.
My reality does not promote a sense of inferiority or insecurity. Nevertheless, when I interact with individuals who can not accept my reality, I can find myself internalizing a sense of shame for my reality. At these times I am susceptible to being abused overtly or covertly for being in my reality. What makes matters worse is that when I cease to own and accept my reality, I buy into the lack of acceptance. In the process I subject myself to be abused because of my reality. Please read my post, Who is limiting you?
When I do not accept my reality my insecurities are revisited and I am forced to learn through my experience because of my discomfort. Consequently, I am confronted with a choice. I can choose to internalize the individual’s non-acceptance of my reality and be subject to overt or covert abuse. My second choice is to embrace my reality and detach from assuming responsibility for another person’s lack of acceptance. My third choice would be to participate in self-limiting, self-destructive behaviors.
I make the choice to learn and grow from my reality, instead of internalizing someone’s lack of acceptance. I make the choice to practice healthy self-care and to avoid self-destructive behaviors.
Through my process and an increasing awareness I have grown because of my reality. I have come to understand that I am not my traumatic brain injury, my deficits or my limitations. I have come to accept how my deficits and limitations contribute to my reality. As I embrace, own and accept my reality I am empowered to live and thrive as a person with an invisible disability. Please read my post, Traumatic Brain Injury – Thriving with a Disability.
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Vitolo Rossini says
Thanks for the words! I also have struggled with accepting my reality, and sometimes even shame comes into the picture. Truth is If given the chance to go back and have the truck taht ran me down, miss me…I would have to say NO.
I am happy now with the new me. And furthermore, the Lessons that I have learned, and the things I have seen due, to my injury are priceless. I am a better more patient person for the time spent in a coma, and like myself better now. Yes, there are frustrations and pain. But it is through the discomfort, and confusion, that I have grown. Now I truly see, and am more open then ever! I know I am a better person, and the credit goes to my learning to become a “TBI Survivor”~ Vitolo
secondchancetolive says
Hi Vitolo,
Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment. I appreciate your kindness. I completely agree with you. Our TBI’s have enriched our lives and as we have learned from our experiences as tbi survivors we have become wounded healers. I have found that our circumstances are not meant to keep us down, but they are meant to build us up.
Thank you for being willing to share your experience, strength and hope with me. You are an emissary of hope. Your gifts, talents and abilities equip you to encourage, motivate and empower the lives that God brings into your world. You are a gift to your world. You are a gift to me. Thank you for your friendship Vitolo.
Please stay in touch with me and God bless you my friend.
Have a simply amazing weekend and Happy Easter to you and your family!
Craig