Disability is a Gift
By:
Bryan Bjorklund
Bryan Bjorklund, our community advocate, has been thinking recently about his disability, how he relates to the world around him, and how this relation gives him hope through these difficult times.
I was born with Cerebral Palsy and, for the longest time, I was embarrassed and ashamed of my disability. From an early age I had more questions than answers. Everything I had done even if menial, had been sensationalized or glorified. My earliest encounter with this was being the promotional poster child for a local camp for people with disabilities. As a child early on I loved the attention not really aware of what it all meant, I just knew I liked the interviews, photos etc. as I grew up and became more self aware, I always would ask myself “At what point will I be a normal kid?” When I realized I would never be able to play regular sports the way the able bodied kids do, I resented my difference and my disability.
As I progressed throughout grade school and college, I went out of my way to disassociate with the disabled community. I so desperately wanted to be known for something other than my disability, that I followed my true passion and majored in Physical Education with a concentration in Coaching. It was a way for me to accomplish three goals; be able to gain independence, feel and become accepted in a field in which I was a minority, and ultimately be respected and seen for something other than my wheelchair. As I sit here typing, I am reminding myself that it was never a matter of mission impossible, but rather mission incomplete. While I did earn my degree in the aforementioned field of study, I quickly realized these goals are truly meant for bigger platforms beyond the realm of education.
Now at the age of thirty-four, I realize that having a disability is for me a gift and not a curse. Things have a rather strange way of coming full circle. I now am actually thankful for my disability. Like many of my sports heroes who use their status as a platform for change, I too have a platform. Today I work for Independence Associates, as your Community Advocate. I often say that I am a duel citizen of sorts, because I am not only a consumer, but also an employee. Having been a wheelchair basketball coach for some time now, I have the benefit of working with athletes with a wide range of disabilities, giving me best of both worlds professionally and personally. Disability has and always will be a part of my life. Living with a disability metaphorically speaking, is like Spider-Man “With great power comes great responsibility”.
In these rather uncertain times for the world I wrote this not to inspire, but to empower. It is my hope to empower change no matter how big or small, for the better. While achieving and teaching independence remains our main mission, please remember that being independent for staff and consumers alike does not mean you are alone. We are here for you as we are most importantly for one another. Perhaps now is the best time to reflect and think about the following quote from President John F. Kennedy.
“And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country. My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.”
After much thought and consideration of President Kennedy’s quote, I want to remind all of you in what is the world’s darkest hour, that perseverance is power. I challenge all of us as we search for ways cope, let us be someone’s ray of hope. Instead of asking “How is disability a gift?” ask yourself, “How can I be someone’s much needed lift?”
