Mind Over Matter

      As I get closer to the 11-year anniversary of my accident, I find myself reflecting on a lot. I start drifting back to the “what ifs”. What if I never got in that car? What if I had just worn my seatbelt? What if my parents followed the doctor’s advice and put me in a nursing home? What if I was dead on the scene like initially reported? There are so many “what ifs”, but if I spent my time dwelling on the "what ifs" I would never get the joy of experiencing the "right nows".

      Everyone has been through some messed up things in their lives, and some of us let that run our every thought. Life will continue to throw salt on your wounds, and I refuse to wake up every morning and think of everything I cannot do. Sure, there are way more things I cannot do. I cannot get up on my own. I cannot do everyday things without an assistive device of some sort. Something as simple as eating requires a special spoon. Something as simple as opening a door I need help with. Something as simple as moving 5 feet requires a lot of work. The list goes on and on.

          BUT you know what I can do? I can use my mind! The mind is a powerful thing. I can use my mind to educate others. I can use my mind to achieve my goals. I can use my mind to build relationships with people around me. I can use my mind to speak up for myself. I can use my mind to learn everything there is to know in the world. Some people aren’t as lucky to have the ability to do the things that I can. So, yes sometimes I get down about my situation, but I remind myself that not everyone is as lucky as me.

   Strangers may see me as that poor girl for being in a wheelchair, but I see myself as that mentally strong girl who can grab life by the balls and roll with it.  Life gets hard, but the good should always outweigh the bad. Never forget where you came from, but also never forget to grow from every experience. Never allow your hardships to make you a Bitter Betty.