It’s something people have commented on as long as I can remember. “You’re always smiling. You’re always so happy”.  And for the most part, it’s true. I see my disability as a positive aspect of who I am. However, now and again, fighting against the barriers which society puts in my way as a disabled person can get me down. That’s when emotional support on difficult days is so important. One such incidence was just last week.

Support on Speed Dial

The day started will me toppling myself out of my wheelchair – all as I tried avoiding a car which was parked across the pavement. I was angry and upset with both the car owner and myself – the car should not have been where it was but there was room to pass. The incident shook me up and I phoned my hubby who came to my rescue and repaired some damage that I’d done to the wheelchair. As I blamed myself, hubby pointed out that the car had narrowed my path and was more to blame.

Unfortunately, my day didn’t improve. I encountered four further cars parked on the path that day, causing me to cross the road at unsafe points and put myself in danger. I came home that night in a foul mood, utterly fed up at having to negotiate so many barriers in order to just go about my daily routine. Hubby let me rant and rave at the selfishness of drivers.  He knew I needed a time to get it out of my system, a short moment of self-pity because after days like that, it’s hard to just keep smiling.

Turning Frustration into Action

After my ranting, he started to tease me about catapulting myself out of my wheelchair and slowly my mood lifted. Instead of feeling sorry for myself, I decided to relaunch my “Question Mark Where You Park Campaign”, which I hope to progress over the next few months. I’ve always tried to use my negative experiences to influence change and strive towards a more inclusive future for disabled people. And hubby is a huge supporter of the work that I do – often using his own annual leave to drive me to schools that have requested a Disability Awareness Assembly.

Whilst having Cerebral Palsy is a huge part of who I am, I have those emotional draining days just like anyone – it’s impossible to be positive 100% of the time. That’s why it’s so important to have people around you who “get it”. People who can sympathise but equally, people who can pull you out of dark moods quickly. People who listen to the ranting but also encourage you to use those negative experiences to push for positive change.

A Circle of Encouragement

And it’s not just hubby I’m grateful for. After posting a short rant on Facebook (it had to be done!), I received lots of support from friends and family – encouraging me to not to give up and encouraging me to keep campaigning for change.  I’ve put out several posts recently promoting my work with schools which have been widely shared and I’m so grateful for the support and encouragement!

So to hubby, my friends and family on Valentine’s Day – I love you! Thanks for understanding and letting me rant occasionally. Thanks for empathising and being in my corner. But more than that – thanks for encouraging me to keep going even on the hardest of days. And thanks for making me smile again!