If you have not already read Part 1 of this article, please do so by clicking on the following link. Thank you. Living with Disability — The Measure of a Champion Recaptured Part 1
As a person living with a disability I need to remind myself that I do in deed have a disability – but that I am not my disability. I need to remember these realities, lest I fall back into someone’s denial system for me (please read my article, Traumatic Brain Injury and Denial—My Perspective as a TBI Survivor). Although I am not my disability, I do have specific deficits and limitations. Although I have limitations and deficits, I am not those limitations or deficits. Although you may have a disability, you are not your disability. Although you may have limitations, you are not those limitations. Although society may want you and I to buy into the notion that we will never be champions, the truth is that we are champions because we pursue excellence on a daily basis. We are a champions because we do not give up on ourselves. We are a champions because we get up more times than we fall down. We are champions because we choose to live our lives as empowered beings.
We are champions because we learn from all of our experiences. We are champions because we refuse to believe that we are a victim of our circumstances. We are champions because we are doing our best. We are champions because we live life on life’s terms. We are champions because we trust the process. We are champions because we know that we are not alone. We are champions because we celebrate small successes. We are champions because we take advantage of the opportunities that become available to us each day. We are champions because we follow our passions. We are champions because we refuse to be ignorant or arrogant. We are champions because we are accountable to other people and for ourselves. We are champions because we look for solutions. We are champions because we think outside of the box. We are champions because we are honest with ourselves. We are champions because we trust a loving God with our will and our lives to fulfill His plans and bring about the destiny for our lives.
We are champions because we are…You are a champion, because you are… I am a champion, because I am…We are champions NOT because we have been validated, approved or certified by other people.
Here is a great web site that has a list of people who were / are champions because they did not give up But They Did Not Give Up. Check the web site out and be encouraged my friend. The best is yet to come.
Here is my Contact page. Send comments and questions and I will respond to you.
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paulinelogan says
Good Saturday morning to you, Craig~
Thanks for your wise thoughts on what being a champion means. Each of us is a chamption whenever we rise from adversity or disappointment and take another step forward. I also appreciated the link to “But They Did Not Give Up.” I liked the French quote at the end of that link: “One sees well only with the heart. The essential is invisible to the eye.”
Thank you for enriching my life, Craig.
Godspeed to you!
Second Chance to Live says
Hello Pauline,
Thank you so very much for taking the time to write to me. I appreciate you doing so and for your thoughts. You are a blessing to me. Thank you. I like those quotes too, Each of us is a champion whenever we rise from adversity or disappointment and take another step forward and the other quote, “One sees well only with the heart. The essential is invisible to the eye.” Excellent! Thank you for sharing these quotes with me Pauline.
I will say so long for now. Thank you for your friendship and for staying in touch with me Pauline. You are a tremendous blessing to me!
Have a pleasant evening and God bless both you and your family Pauline.
Craig