Courage Doesn't Come Naturally
   by Alyzza

Most aren't born with courage, and surviving with a disability doesn't immidiatly impart courage to you. It comes from learning to overcome fear, rather than from the lack of it. I've heard it over and over again "You must be really couragous to live with your handicap" and I ask "What other choice have I got, suicide?" That immediatly points out the fallacy of their statement. No, courage is not in surviving with a visual impairment, it's not in living as a hermit for fear of the world, or walking under the burden of stereotypes, or merely existing. It's in thriving despite adversity, in doing your personl best, not the "best" others thrust apon you, it's in living up to your own expectations, not those of others.

Courage is realizing that in the end, it's merely between you and God, not you and the world. It takes courage to make the highest expecations your own, to try when you know that you may fail, to fail and try again, or to know when it's time to back down and not lose face. Everyone is born a coward, courage is something that grows, and is effected not by genetics, or medical health, but merely by character.

An act of courage doesn't have to be a large act, or a historical one. To take your first step after having fallen so many times, to lift your head for the first time, or even to take your first breath, these are all milestones on the road to courage/ To face people day after day, knowing that you will get the same types of comments often. Making friends despite all of the failed attempts.

Merely existing? No, really LIVING.

Alyzza