When Your Disability is New: Part 2 “There Is Always Hope”

As I drove to work this morning, I was amazed at how much had changed with my eyesight during the past week. When I drove to work in the early morning darkness a week ago, it was the first time I’d realized something was wrong with my eye. I saw that there were cars ahead of me on the road, but I could not tell how far ahead they were – two yards or two hundred yards!

This week, even though the condition of my right eye is slowly continuing to deteriorate, I could see better…or, perhaps it would be more accurate to say I better understood what I was seeing. I believe my brain is learning to interpret what it is seeing with greater accuracy. That gives me hope as I have been afraid that if the surgery scheduled for later this week fails, I will never be able to drive again, or at least I would not be able to drive in the darkness. I was not uncomfortable driving to work this morning. I could clearly tell where the cars in front of me were, and I had no trouble navigating.

All of this is to say, there is always hope. We tend to think situations are simply the way they are and that they will always be that way. It’s not true. No matter how bad, things can and often do get better, or in a situation like mine, while my condition got worse, my ability to understand what I was seeing got better.

Winston Churchill said, “Never, never, never, never, never give up.” I believe that’s true. If you are new to disability, your situation is not stagnant. Things can change. We can change. Our ability to accept, adapt and carry on is pretty awesome. Don’t give up. Life with a disability may be different, but the sun will shine again and you will feel its’ warmth. Whatever your circumstances, you can still learn, you can still find beauty and enjoyment in life. Please don’t give up; there is always hope.

Disability Network/Lakeshore is your “go-to” place for help. If you are new to a disability and need answers, please call 616-396-5326. We’re waiting for you to call, and we’ll never give up on you!