The Power of the Indomitable Human Spirit
It never ceases to amaze me how some people just have something about them that keeps them going. I was saddened yesterday to hear of the passing of Stephen Hawking, but reminded also of his ability to overcome the challenges that life set before him. Even with motor neurone disease, he managed to continue his work and become a renowned physicist. He let nothing stand in his way of pursuing his goals.
Another inspiring lady I have met, a fellow stroke-survivor, Rachel Capps. I have met Rachel several times socially and she never ceases to amaze and inspire me with her attitude to life and her ability to keep living despite having profound disabilities. I saw a conversation today concerning the following article about Rachel on a facebook page, and there were several comments from people who couldn't understand why she was grateful to have had a stroke. I will admit getting on my soapbox (politely) and making the point that it's okay to disagree with someone's perspective, that everyone is entitled to their own opinion. While I don't know Rachel well, I do know some of her story (and have read some of her book). It's people like Rachel that show us that even in the worst circumstances there are things to be grateful for, that you can find the positives if you look for them. She has a young family, she's doing her best in difficult circumstances and showing her children that anything is possible if you just try and go about life with a positive attitude and a growth mindset. I find it amazing that she has written her book all with one finger.
I think it's people like Rachel that show the rest of us how to live better lives. Yes, maybe we've lost a lot having had a stroke. Yes, we've had to give up careers, unsympathetic friends and partners. But what we haven't lost is the ability to choose. Choose happiness. Choose kindness. Choose forgiveness. Choose to be understanding and compassionate. Choose to live.
Like Rachel, I'm grateful for my stroke in a way. It showed me that I had quite a few toxic people in my life, it showed me the ones who are really genuine and who I want in my life. It showed me that I can loose a lot and still survive. I don't need to cling to things that are meaningless and people who are shallow.
I met a woman on a trip to New Zealand who had been in a car accident, when they managed to find her she had been crushed into the space beneath the steering wheel. She's broken so many bones and had so many injuries she wasn't expected to survive. But she did. She choose life even though she would be in constant pain and would battle every day.
Attitude is everything. If you have the right attitude, then nothing can stop you.
As a teacher in a low SES area, I noticed students who just gave up because they didn't have people in their lives or communities to show them what was possible. So I plastered the wall of my class with hand-made posters of inspiring people, and stuck quotes on the corners of desks. I started lessons with songs and clips showing people who overcome a variety of challenges. I shared with them some of my story, learning to walk, and talk, and read and write and everything that normally we spend years learning to do, all within the space of a year. I shared my journey hoping that it would make a difference to some of them.
We all need some inspiration from time to time. Having left my teaching job to pursue other goals, many of these inspiring posters have found homes on my walls in my study and on the bedroom mirror. It doesn't matter where you find your inspiration, or what keeps you going, so long as you have something to live for. I love the poem Invictus, one of Nelson Mandela's inspirations:
So, thank you to Rachel for reminding me that anything is possible if you have an indomitable spirit.