Via Charlie Kravetz.

Originally shared by Isabel Navarro

10 THINGS PEOPLE CAN LEARN FROM PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

1) True happiness is really possible in a “broken” body.

Most say they would rather die than live with a disability and I thought I would never be happy again. But a few years after becoming paralyzed, I was happy. I found happiness through simply being alive, and through family and friends. I still wish I could walk again, but true happiness resides in me.

2) Patience can get you through almost anything.

When you have a disability, the patience required is at a whole new level. Very often we have to wait longer for all types of things and over time we become masters at honing in on it.

3) Accidents can and will happen.

The cold-hard truth is that accidents that cause disabilities happen every day, and they could likely happen to you or someone you know. The realness of this possibility is tangible in all lives, but when you have a disability you’re just a bit more aware of it.

4) Disability can happen to anyone.

Maybe no congenital disabilities run your family, but say your first baby had cerebral palsy. It’s shocking suddenly finding yourself in the camp of either being disabled or the family member of one. The wisdom here is to never forget we are all imperfect physical beings, and to never think you’re exempt. We will all die one day and we’re all human.

5) Don’t sweat the little things.

We are confronted with crazy things all the time, so we learn to prioritize what is really worth freaking out over. That is why so many of us seem so zen-like. The movie is sold out? The restaurant has a two-hour wait? No biggie. It could always be worse.

6) Being different is an opportunity.

Most people don’t like being different or standing out.However, it’s not as bad as you’d think. In fact, when you live the life as someone who’s different, you learn right away it has its cool moments. You get to meet amazing people and get in on special opportunities. When you’re vanilla, no one notices.

7) Fitting in is overrated.

When you have a disability, you pretty much have a free-for-all card to be exactly who you want to be. You don’t need to fit in to feel good about yourself or to think you “belong.” You belong to yourself, we know this. And that feeling is amazing.

8) You can’t judge a person by their looks.

You hear it all the time, don’t judge a book by its cover.Don’t ever think a disability is equitable to someone who is not impressive or successful. You never know what someone with a disability is capable of.

9) Life is short. Embrace everything.

Having a disability can, unfortunately, have an impact on your lifespan. For many people with disabilities, living to 95 isn’t probably going to happen, which is why most people with disabilities have figured out the secret to life — enjoy each day as if it were our last.

10) Weakness isn’t always a negative

Being weak or disabled isn’t necessarily a negative thing. When living with a disability, you learn to be OK with receiving help, and over time, many of us realize that we all need help in our own way, even athletes and the President of United States. It’s unavoidable and part of the human experience.