E-Community Activity: Valuing Yourself

Send this message to the e-community of protégés and mentors.

Subject: Valuing yourself

Think about how the following advice from young people and adults who have disabilities does or does not apply to your life. Then share advice you have for members of our e-community.

• Always remember that it's OK to be unusual.
• Don't be afraid to express and stand up for what you believe just because it may be different from everyone else's beliefs.
• Trust in who you are. No one can take that from you. If you don't stand up for yourself, you'll get trampled.
• Learn to think for yourself and not follow the "herd." Be tough; be assertive; do not get discouraged. Accept life as it is, NOT as you would like it to be.
• Live in the world of reality, but allow yourself moments of meditation and reflection on the nature of things. Whenever possible, enjoy good music, good food, good companionship.
• Remind yourself that every life makes a difference. Make as large a difference as you can.
• Do not think of yourself as more "special" than other people. You may have a few more hurdles, and higher hurdles, to deal with than others, but life is learning to clear the hurdles no matter what they are. If you want something, earn it like everybody else.
• Never, never (did I say never?) use your disability as an excuse for not doing something. Remember, there is a whole world out there ready and willing to make excuses for you, and if you yourself make an excuse, others will happily accept the excuse. But every time such an excuse is given and accepted, you've limited what those around you will be prepared to let you do.