Thursday, July 16, 2015

Still finding ways to enjoy life through all the challenges

When it comes to living with any type of disability at times it can be challenging finding activities that are fun that you can participate in. It was always my dream to become a professional race car driver, but from the start I knew it was simply too physically demanding of a sport to be involved in. Did this get me down? No, it didn't. You see for many of us when we face challenges it simply forces us to become creative. After all, simply having a disability does not take away our ability to enjoy life or have a good time.


Thankfully some of us can find other ways to be involved in the things we love. In my situation I took my love for Motorsports and founded Laps for Muscular Dystrophy. As you can see even though I couldn't become a professional race driver I found another way to be involved. Unfortunately, at time some people make the mistake of believing that once they’ve been diagnosed with a condition of some form of disability that their ability to have fun is somehow diminished. But this is not true, now sure there might be things we are unable to participate in but there are still many other ways for us to enjoy life. 


Plenty of ways to enjoy life with a physical disability


It may surprise some but many people with physical limitations still participate in sports - just in a different way. It's like those who love ice sports can play Sled Hockey which was designed to allow people with disabilities to play ice hockey. Boccia is another sport that those with cerebral palsy or related conditions involving a wheelchair can participate in. Surprisingly there is a long list of sports people with disabilities can still participate in. But if you’re not into sports simple activities that are fun aren't that hard to find, even if it's just a small thing. One thing I have found that allows me to join in with my friends and have a good time is playing cards. The greatest thing about the game is that doesn’t really involve much physical activity. Now the only area I have ever run into problems is when it comes to shuffling cards, but that's nothing an automatic card shuffler can't fix. But even in times when it comes to activities that don't involve our friends there are still other things we can do. 


One thing I really enjoy doing is going to the movies to enjoy the latest comedy or action movies. Thought I do seem to always be the unlucky one picking the seat with people who either talk or kick your seat throughout the movie. So lately I do prefer to watch movies at home. After all theaters do create plenty of physical challenges for me. But sometimes you have the best experience seeing a new movie in theaters. One of my favorite movies this year as to be Baby Driver as it packed plenty of action - something I really enjoy. You see in life we must always do our best to focus on the positives, not the things we can’t do but the things we can. In the end we might just have to find our own unique ways of participating in the things we love.