Blog SMA Awareness

Flight or Fight: A Perspective from Life in a Wheelchair

In life, we are often presented with choices: to fight or to flee. While some may find solace in escape, I have found myself repeatedly standing at the crossroads, staring down the path of resistance. Countless moments have demanded a decision: to confront the obstacle before me or to succumb to the allure of flight. And more often than not, I have chosen to fight.

For me, the choice to fight isn’t born out of recklessness or bravado; rather, it stems from a deep-seated fear—a fear of the unknown, a fear of failure, a fear of relinquishing control. The thought of surrendering to my fears, of allowing them to dictate the course of my life, is a prospect I find unbearable. And so, despite the trembling of my hands and the racing of my heart, I steel myself for battle.

It’s not easy, facing your fears head-on. The very thought of it can send shivers down your spine and paralyze you with doubt. But I’ve come to realize that growth lies on the other side of discomfort. Every challenge, and every obstacle is an opportunity for transformation, a chance to emerge stronger, wiser, and more resilient than before.

Take, for instance, my fear of flying – a fear that has plagued me for as long as I can remember. The mere thought of boarding a plane fills me with a sense of dread, and sends my mind spiraling into a frenzy of worst-case scenarios. And yet, there have been occasions when flying was unavoidable – when the only way to reach my destination, to achieve my goals, was to confront my fear head-on.

In those moments, I had a choice: to let my fear consume me-to turn back and retreat to the safety of the familiar ground- or to summon the courage within me and step onto that plane. And though every fibre of my being screamed for escape, I chose to fight. I gritted my teeth, clenched my fists, and pushed through the fear, one shaky breath at a time.

And you know what? Each time I did, I emerged on the other side stronger, more empowered than before. Not because the fear magically disappeared – it didn’t – but because I proved to myself that I was capable of facing it, of standing tall in the face of adversity.

But fighting isn’t just about conquering our fears; it’s about confronting the challenges that life throws our way, refusing to be defeated by the odds stacked against us. It’s about refusing to settle for mediocrity, for the path of least resistance. It’s about daring to dream big, to chasing after those dreams with unwavering determination, no matter how daunting the journey may seem.

So to anyone who finds themselves standing at the crossroads, paralyzed by fear or doubt, I urge you: to choose to fight. Choose to confront your fears, to embrace the challenges that lie ahead. For it is in the struggle that we find strength, in the face of adversity that we discover our truest selves.

And remember, you are not alone in this fight. Reach out to those around you for support, lean on them when you need to, but never forget that the power to overcome lies within you. So stand tall, face your fears head-on, and let the world know that you are not afraid to fight for the life you deserve.

Finding My Feet delves into my world, exploring the nuances of my decision-making process. We witness the moments of triumph and the instances of vulnerability as I confront the inherent injustices of a society that often overlooks the voices of the disabled. We take a look at my perspective and understanding through a lens of hope. of what it means to confront adversity with unwavering resolve and to carve out a space for oneself in a world that can be both harsh and unforgiving.

My journey is not merely one of physical limitations, but a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. It is a narrative that transcends the bounds of a wheelchair, offering profound insights into the human experience. In navigating a world not designed with my needs in mind, I often grapple with questions of agency, identity, and purpose.

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