As a child I always wanted to fade into the background.  I did not want to be noticed.  I have red hair, I was noticed.  Usually it was by someone’s maiden aunt who liked to pinch cheeks! Anyway, what I am getting at is that circumstances change our perspective, our lives and the manner in which we relate to each other.  I have just finished writing a report on accessibility in my town, specifically the occasionally impassable sidewalks.  Did I want to do this report?  No!  Did I have to do this report?  Yes! As I have stated earlier people with disabilities tend to be quiet.  They do not ‘rock the boat’ so to speak.  Well they should.  There are people out there advocating for us, for what is right and we need to give them our full backing.  We must speak out (politely) when something is wrong and it can be fixed.  Complaining is one part of the process, finding a solution is the next part.

I believe every problem has a solution.   It may not be what you had hoped for, it may not be easy, but there is a solution. There is a saying ‘if you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem’.   Harsh words but perhaps fitting.  If we do nothing and put up with inadequacies, we are doing nothing to correct the problems. By doing nothing we are condoning the situation and that is intolerable. We MUST stand up and be counted.  If we want things to change we must be part of the process.  It is not fair to expect good people to fight for us.  We can show others, the disbelievers, that we are not “cripples” we are independent, intelligent people with disabilities.  Think of us as boats with the anchor trailing in the mud.  We may not be as fast as you but we will get there eventually.  We all have an obligation to contribute to society in a positive and progressive way.  We could simply take the handouts as they are given or we could be a part of the solution.  We can fix what is wrong once it is identified.  I want to be a part of the solution.  I believe I can be a valuable contributor in may own way.

One thing for sure is that I will “not go gentle into that good night”.  I have a voice and I know how to use it.  Sigh, I guess.

(thank you Dylan Thomas)