Disabilities Blog

Category: Awareness

'Blessing' is an extreme word

When I signed onto the Web this weekend, I saw the headline, "Mountaineer Calls Arm Loss 'Blessing.' " I clicked on it, which eventually led to me to a full-length New York Times story presenting an update of the Colorado man who, during a 2003 climb, cut off his arm to save his life.

It interested me that Aron Ralston thinks his harrowing incident and resulting disability has enriched his life. I have heard others with disabilities echo his line of thought. The philosophy strikes me as being somewhat misleading.

I hardly have fond feelings about my progressive physical disability. It is frustrating to have to think about details such as how I will negotiate closed doors, whether I will have the strength to feed myself, how to respond to inappropriate staring or what to do if people are struggling to understand my unclear speech. I'm used to dealing with these kinds of issues, but I can think of preferred life-enhancing alternatives than living with a muscle-wasting condition.

I'm blessed to have a strong support network of family and friends who enable me to lead a rich life. I'm proud to have the grit and determination to deal with my challenges and to try to help others with the capabilities I possess. I realize I have been fortunate to have all kinds of opportunities many people never experience.

I'm content ultimately; still, calling a disability "a blessing" seems a little extreme. What do you think?