Accepting smaller things in life is something which is not common in our generation. To do small deeds in life for someone else does give you a certain amount of satisfaction or a sense of achievement. For instance, serving water for everyone while sitting on a table, helping a blind man cross a road, making room for a lady to sit in a crowded bus. These are a few examples. For me having ataxia and being able to achieve small things or goal in life makes me more determined and focused.
Being handicapped or disabled creates in you a spirit of never to give up and makes you more determined. It certainly has in my case. I have always mentioned of my will to walk. For a normal person, walking is something which he or she does all the time and is not a big deal. For me on the other hand, since I am in a wheelchair all the time I look forward to walking every time and am so excited and thrilled to do more of it every time.
My walking has definitely improved and I am able to walk with confidence and without any fear of failing. It has definitely made my legs stronger and along with swimming has gone a long way in my being able to do things which I never could. Let me tell you of something else which really lifted me up. Sitting cross-legged is very important for your leg muscles and I see people sifting in that position daily. I was also sitting quite regularly in that position in my old wheelchair. Ever since I have gotten a new wheelchair it had become very difficult for me to sit cross-legged. I started practicing it in my physiotherapy sessions and it rewarded me with great pleasure.
Last weekend I tried sitting cross-legged in my new chair and was able to do it. It really gave me a sense of achievement and all the hardwork I had done had certainly paid off by this accomplishment. Again I come to the same point of being able to achieve small things in life gives you immense pleasure and joy.
By going for Quran classes I have also learnt to be more patient and willing to accept the smaller pleasures in life. There are numerous things one tends to learn as life goes on and as you become more mature and sensible in life. Being disabled and in a wheelchair has enabled me to look and admire the efforts made by people who are handicapped. Living in a wheelchair is not easy, as it is a physical and mental struggle day in day out. I have learnt to cope with all the struggles and frustration coming with it. There are a number of things I have learnt from ataxia which I would never have learnt, had I not had ataxia.
Having a strong willpower, never to give up, positive thinking and the sense of achieving my goals have enabled me to become a better person. I would say that my new job has also helped me in a number of things. Being given a greater amount of responsibility and able to communicate freely has certainly helped me in learning more about life. I would come back to the point of being able to accept or achieve smaller things in life will lead to bigger things. You always start at the bottom and gradually make your way to the top. Being able to struggle for anything in life is very important. Even if you may not achieve your desired goal but the fact that you struggled for it is important.
As you can see there are a number of things contributing to be a better and caring individual. Being able to accept the smaller things in life and achieving goals in life makes your life more meaningful and interesting. I would consider my having ataxia a blessing in disguise as it has really made me into a much more determined and strong willed person. Having ataxia has taught me how to be happy in life, how to strive for your goals and most importantly how to struggle in life.
