Post by MIRIAM JACOB on Oct 16, 2006 12:08:09 GMT -5
I Was Born This Way By Allison Wetherbee
"Target at Christmastime. Shoppers trying desperately to find that right gift for loved ones. Elderly men people-watching on the benches out front. Children's faces glowing at what must seem like never ending walls of toys. Lots of people complain about this time of year. The crowds and traffic appear overwhelming to them, I guess. Personally, I love it! Every year I can't wait for the opportunity to see the stores and houses lit up. I can't wait to see children brimming with anticipation and excitement. I can't wait to hear the music that celebrates the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
Today at Target, I experienced something else I love about Christmas. When stores are overflowing with people, communication tends to take place between shoppers more than usual. You can't help but talk to your neighbor when you have been standing in line with them for ten minutes. My neighbor today was a little dark haired girl with big brown eyes. She was in her mother's shopping cart when she noticed me behind her. Much to her mother's dismay, she just could not stop staring. Given that I've now had thirty five years of handling this kind of situation, I felt perfectly comfortable striking up a conversation. She told me her name was Haley. After giving me her Santa's wish list, she asked quickly before running out of time at the register, "What happened to you?"
I answered, "I was born this way."
As with most children Haley's age, she looked puzzled. I'm sure her mother did her best to explain it to Haley on the way home.
On December 8 thirty five years ago, my parents were expecting to bring home the best Christmas gift ever to my older sister. They were expecting a healthy baby girl or boy. Back then, doctors didn't do the tests that seem so standard today. So, not only did my parents not know that I was going to be a girl, they also did not know that I was going to be born physically disabled. I was born with what is officially known as quadrilateral tetra-amelia. However, it's easier just to say I was born with no arms or legs. I can't use prosthetic limbs because I have no partial limbs to which they could attach. So, I use a power wheelchair for mobility that I steer with my shoulder. I write with a pen in my mouth and type with a stick.
Out of necessity and confusion, I began communicating with God at five years old. I accepted His Son as my Savior at thirteen. I have often said that if I ever write an autobiography, I will title it after the sentence I have spoken more than any other in my life, "I was born this way." Recently that sentence has come to take on a new meaning for me. I have come to realize that the Lord has blessed me with a resilience that is truly remarkable. I used to think that it was wrong, if not outright arrogant, to acknowledge my inner strength. I saw glimpses of it when healing from a broken heart or bouncing back from a disappointment. But I had never before allowed myself to affirm it. That is, not until I came to truly understand it's source.
Our ability to live our lives to the fullest no matter what our circumstances are is our gift from God. It doesn't come from us. The ability to find the joy in being in a crowd at Christmastime, the strength to make peace with past mistakes, and the love it takes to forgive ourselves and others all comes from our Lord. It is not ours to boast about, but it is ours to use. My Christmas wish is for everyone to see this for themselves as well. I believe that if we claim to know the Lord as our Savior, it is our responsibility to use and share every bit of joy, love and strength we can muster up each day. God knew I would need these attributes within myself to navigate this life that He has given me.
So, I am strong. I am resilient. I was born this way. And so were you."
Author: Allison
Written: December, 2005
Web Site: www.iwasbornthisway-allison.blogspot.com
Article Source: www.faithwriters.com
"Target at Christmastime. Shoppers trying desperately to find that right gift for loved ones. Elderly men people-watching on the benches out front. Children's faces glowing at what must seem like never ending walls of toys. Lots of people complain about this time of year. The crowds and traffic appear overwhelming to them, I guess. Personally, I love it! Every year I can't wait for the opportunity to see the stores and houses lit up. I can't wait to see children brimming with anticipation and excitement. I can't wait to hear the music that celebrates the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
Today at Target, I experienced something else I love about Christmas. When stores are overflowing with people, communication tends to take place between shoppers more than usual. You can't help but talk to your neighbor when you have been standing in line with them for ten minutes. My neighbor today was a little dark haired girl with big brown eyes. She was in her mother's shopping cart when she noticed me behind her. Much to her mother's dismay, she just could not stop staring. Given that I've now had thirty five years of handling this kind of situation, I felt perfectly comfortable striking up a conversation. She told me her name was Haley. After giving me her Santa's wish list, she asked quickly before running out of time at the register, "What happened to you?"
I answered, "I was born this way."
As with most children Haley's age, she looked puzzled. I'm sure her mother did her best to explain it to Haley on the way home.
On December 8 thirty five years ago, my parents were expecting to bring home the best Christmas gift ever to my older sister. They were expecting a healthy baby girl or boy. Back then, doctors didn't do the tests that seem so standard today. So, not only did my parents not know that I was going to be a girl, they also did not know that I was going to be born physically disabled. I was born with what is officially known as quadrilateral tetra-amelia. However, it's easier just to say I was born with no arms or legs. I can't use prosthetic limbs because I have no partial limbs to which they could attach. So, I use a power wheelchair for mobility that I steer with my shoulder. I write with a pen in my mouth and type with a stick.
Out of necessity and confusion, I began communicating with God at five years old. I accepted His Son as my Savior at thirteen. I have often said that if I ever write an autobiography, I will title it after the sentence I have spoken more than any other in my life, "I was born this way." Recently that sentence has come to take on a new meaning for me. I have come to realize that the Lord has blessed me with a resilience that is truly remarkable. I used to think that it was wrong, if not outright arrogant, to acknowledge my inner strength. I saw glimpses of it when healing from a broken heart or bouncing back from a disappointment. But I had never before allowed myself to affirm it. That is, not until I came to truly understand it's source.
Our ability to live our lives to the fullest no matter what our circumstances are is our gift from God. It doesn't come from us. The ability to find the joy in being in a crowd at Christmastime, the strength to make peace with past mistakes, and the love it takes to forgive ourselves and others all comes from our Lord. It is not ours to boast about, but it is ours to use. My Christmas wish is for everyone to see this for themselves as well. I believe that if we claim to know the Lord as our Savior, it is our responsibility to use and share every bit of joy, love and strength we can muster up each day. God knew I would need these attributes within myself to navigate this life that He has given me.
So, I am strong. I am resilient. I was born this way. And so were you."
Author: Allison
Written: December, 2005
Web Site: www.iwasbornthisway-allison.blogspot.com
Article Source: www.faithwriters.com