Finding Joy Through Your Struggles

I was born with my neuromuscular disorder, but not diagnosed until 21. I didn't learn I have 33% of the physical strength of the average person until I was 26.

Which always feels wild to look back on - that I was bopping around with little concept of why my body was the way it was, comparing myself to the average person's capacity, and having no idea how to explain to people why I struggled to do certain things, for over 20 years.

I also didn't grow up with representation that I related to - the 2 main disability figures when I was growing up were Terry Fox, who's known for running (I couldn't run), and Rick Hansen, who uses a wheelchair (I didn't use any mobility aids). They're amazing and inspiring icons, but I never saw any part of me in their stories.

It wasn't until I found the Speaker Slam community 5 years ago, and heard stories of other people living with disabilities that I related to for the first time (even though they were different from my own), that I actually started understanding the point of sharing your disability experience.

I tried to hide mine as much as I could for over 30 years, out of fear that nobody would get it, that they'd think of me differently, and that it was just my own thing to overcome.

But some struggles aren't meant to be overcome. They're meant to be lived with.

The best way that I've found to live with my disability, which will (to the best of my knowledge and medical options so far) never go away, has been to look for the good parts of my life. ✨

Maybe you're also experiencing a difficult situation that won't be going away anytime soon.

We can recognize and feel that things may be difficult, while still appreciating moments of joy to keep us going. Not despite our struggles, but through them.

That's part of what my TEDx talk is about. Everyone can benefit from finding and creating their own joy to get through their difficult times - and this talk shows you how.

You can watch, comment and share by clicking on the YouTube link here - thank you so much! 🙏🏽💖✨🎉