Tuesday, March 18, 2008 at 12:12am
Living a life that matters
"I may be changed by what happens to me. I will not be reduced by it."
These words by writer Maya Angelou remind me of the power of human potential. Life, in my experience, is constantly evolving and changing, in our individual life and in the life of our community. We experience the rhythms and seasons of nature all around, and there is a similar rhythm in our lives. Births and deaths and marriages and partings and job changes and new interests and times of flourishing and times of challenge. I believe that through all of this there are constant and common universal desires of all persons. The need for respect, for inclusion, for dignity, for recognition of one's skills and abilities. The need to make a positive contribution to one's own life, and the lives of others. The desire to develop and share one's individual, unique human potential.
For many years I have been a mom, a daughter, a sister, an aunt, a friend, a lover, a teacher, a business counselor, a public speaker, a competitive athlete. These life roles have remained constant. I desire recognition for my knowledge and my skills and my talents. That desire has remained consistent over the years. My interest is not to be viewed as "more of" or "less than" others. Equity is what I desire, and that is a desire shared by all people. For many years I have been a mom, a daughter, a sister, an aunt, a friend, a lover, a teacher, a business counselor, a public speaker, a competitive athlete. Lately I have added a new life role to my roster, that of advocate for persons with disabilities, using my voice, my skills, and my perspective to speak of my own experiences and likely those of others.
Disability is defined as "a physical or mental impairment that may limit or alter some life activities" (Webster, 2005).. Twenty percent of Americans have a disability, according to the U.S. Census (2000). That number is projected to grow to 25 percent by 2015, due in part to longer lives among Americans. Some disabilities have a public face, such as a person using a cane or a wheelchair, a person wearing glasses or a hearing aid. Those are devices used to assist with mobility and with independence. Many disabilities are less obvious, such as chronic medical conditions or a challenge with learning. All disabilities present specific medical and life challenges a person is living with and managing. Those disabilities, and devices one may use, do not define the person's skills, abilities or talents. Every person each one of us encounters, whether living with a disability or not, has the need to make a positive contribution to one's own life, and the lives of others. A disability may require adjustments and adaptations in order to do this; a disability does not mean exclusion from living a full, whole life according to one's own definition. The desire to develop and share one's individual human potential is a common and constant universal need.
For a few years I have been living with and effectively managing my own physical challenge. I am not "disabled, suffering with, a victim of, confined or debilitated by, coping with, or a hero because of" multiple sclerosis. I am living a full and vibrant life, as I have done for many years. I am managing a physical disability. Certainly some things have changed, but far more things have remained constant. If I need assistance, I will request your help and gratefully accept, as I have done from so many kind friends and strangers. I do not need or desire pity or sympathy. I will continue to live well within my life roles, and I will continue to advocate for equity and inclusion. The physical barriers I have encountered have had simple solutions, typically through offering suggestions on easier accessibility. The societal and attitudinal barriers toward persons with disabilities are less obvious and far more damaging. Fortunately, and with much credit to our community, I have rarely experienced those barriers. They do exist. I know that awareness and information are powerful tools to dispel myths, to promote equity and to help others live full and productive lives. Every one of us desires the greatest possible quality of life.
"I may be changed by what happens to me. I will not be reduced by it."
— — —
Lynne Wichmann is a teacher, a consultant and a life coach for businesses and for individuals. She is a proactive facilitator for development of professional excellence and personal empowerment. Lynne is passionate about ensuring equity and inclusion for all people and is an advocate for people with disabilities. She lives with multiple sclerosis and invites all to join her in promoting her core belief of "Diverse Abilities, Infinite Possibilities." Lynne lives in Wild Rose, Wis. Please visit her website www.taketheplunge.tv or email her at {email lynnewichmann@yahoo.com}lynnewichmann@yahoo.com{/email}. Copyright 2008 by Lynne Wichmann.
These words by writer Maya Angelou remind me of the power of human potential. Life, in my experience, is constantly evolving and changing, in our individual life and in the life of our community. We experience the rhythms and seasons of nature all around, and there is a similar rhythm in our lives. Births and deaths and marriages and partings and job changes and new interests and times of flourishing and times of challenge. I believe that through all of this there are constant and common universal desires of all persons. The need for respect, for inclusion, for dignity, for recognition of one's skills and abilities. The need to make a positive contribution to one's own life, and the lives of others. The desire to develop and share one's individual, unique human potential.
For many years I have been a mom, a daughter, a sister, an aunt, a friend, a lover, a teacher, a business counselor, a public speaker, a competitive athlete. These life roles have remained constant. I desire recognition for my knowledge and my skills and my talents. That desire has remained consistent over the years. My interest is not to be viewed as "more of" or "less than" others. Equity is what I desire, and that is a desire shared by all people. For many years I have been a mom, a daughter, a sister, an aunt, a friend, a lover, a teacher, a business counselor, a public speaker, a competitive athlete. Lately I have added a new life role to my roster, that of advocate for persons with disabilities, using my voice, my skills, and my perspective to speak of my own experiences and likely those of others.
Disability is defined as "a physical or mental impairment that may limit or alter some life activities" (Webster, 2005).. Twenty percent of Americans have a disability, according to the U.S. Census (2000). That number is projected to grow to 25 percent by 2015, due in part to longer lives among Americans. Some disabilities have a public face, such as a person using a cane or a wheelchair, a person wearing glasses or a hearing aid. Those are devices used to assist with mobility and with independence. Many disabilities are less obvious, such as chronic medical conditions or a challenge with learning. All disabilities present specific medical and life challenges a person is living with and managing. Those disabilities, and devices one may use, do not define the person's skills, abilities or talents. Every person each one of us encounters, whether living with a disability or not, has the need to make a positive contribution to one's own life, and the lives of others. A disability may require adjustments and adaptations in order to do this; a disability does not mean exclusion from living a full, whole life according to one's own definition. The desire to develop and share one's individual human potential is a common and constant universal need.
For a few years I have been living with and effectively managing my own physical challenge. I am not "disabled, suffering with, a victim of, confined or debilitated by, coping with, or a hero because of" multiple sclerosis. I am living a full and vibrant life, as I have done for many years. I am managing a physical disability. Certainly some things have changed, but far more things have remained constant. If I need assistance, I will request your help and gratefully accept, as I have done from so many kind friends and strangers. I do not need or desire pity or sympathy. I will continue to live well within my life roles, and I will continue to advocate for equity and inclusion. The physical barriers I have encountered have had simple solutions, typically through offering suggestions on easier accessibility. The societal and attitudinal barriers toward persons with disabilities are less obvious and far more damaging. Fortunately, and with much credit to our community, I have rarely experienced those barriers. They do exist. I know that awareness and information are powerful tools to dispel myths, to promote equity and to help others live full and productive lives. Every one of us desires the greatest possible quality of life.
"I may be changed by what happens to me. I will not be reduced by it."
— — —
Lynne Wichmann is a teacher, a consultant and a life coach for businesses and for individuals. She is a proactive facilitator for development of professional excellence and personal empowerment. Lynne is passionate about ensuring equity and inclusion for all people and is an advocate for people with disabilities. She lives with multiple sclerosis and invites all to join her in promoting her core belief of "Diverse Abilities, Infinite Possibilities." Lynne lives in Wild Rose, Wis. Please visit her website www.taketheplunge.tv or email her at {email lynnewichmann@yahoo.com}lynnewichmann@yahoo.com{/email}. Copyright 2008 by Lynne Wichmann.