Growing up confined to a wheelchair has had its ups and downs. Like anyone else, I have my days where life throws me an obstacle that I don't think I can overcome, but I do. Thanks to my parents, I learned to never "see my wheelchair" and that life is what you make of it. At an early age I chose to do just that: make my life exactly as I wanted it to be. We all have the power to write our own story.
A Love for Travel
At a very young age I was determined to make sure that my story would be one that I could be proud of and love despite my physical limitations. As I got older I developed a love for travel, a crazy sense of adventure, and an indescribable love for all people in all walks of life. I accepted that my wheelchair would become my best friend and that there wasn't anything in the world that the two of us couldn't conquer together. It would help me become independent and would quickly become the walking legs that I never was fortunate to have.
Because of my Quickie wheelchair, I have been able to fulfill my love for travel and adventure. I've been fortunate enough to visit quite a few major cities in the U.S. and would have to say that Chicago is one of my favorites. Since Chicago is a wheelchair-friendly city, I have been able to physically enjoy all that the city has to offer. I have conquered my fear of heights by going out onto the glass ledge at Willis Tower (formerly known as Sears Tower), which sits 1,353 feet above the ground. I also love to stroll along the beaches, dine at amazing restaurants, and go from one end of the city to the other on their wheelchair-accessible CTA buses. I think that my chair may have more miles on it than most able-bodied walking legs.
The Best Days of My Life
My upbringing was just as ordinary as the next person's. When asked what my "best day in life" has been so far, it's a tossup. One of my favorite days would definitely be when I graduated from high school and just like any average teenager I was ecstatic to be graduating. I was the first person in a wheelchair to ever go from kindergarten to 12th grade in the school district and I received a standing ovation from my fellow classmates. It was a true realization for me at that moment that I accomplished something nobody else yet had, and that I had earned the respect of my peers while doing so.
The second best day of my life was when I became an aunt for the very first time. It was in that moment I realized that not only do I have to be amazing for myself, but first and foremost I have to be amazing for my nieces and nephews. I want them to truly understand that despite whatever comes their way in life they can accomplish anything. There may be times that I am in physical discomfort, but I never let that stop me from living my life to its fullest potential. I'm constantly pushing myself to be better than I was yesterday.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
My name is Sara, I'm 35 years old from Pittsburgh, PA. I'm a sister, a daughter, an aunt, a friend, and a professional. I suffer from a brittle bone disease called Osteogenesis Imperfecta. My life's motto is to "design a life that I love."
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