Disability 101

The unfortunate reality is that some people are not born disabled.

Some sort of life event causes them to become disabled.  

For some it is drug use.  For others it is accidents.  The variety of causes are endless.

Some are born into the culture and identity. 

They are disabled from birth, and many due to some infantile illness. 

The problem lies with coping mechanisms. 

I have been a part of a wheelchair basketball team, Triangle Thunder in Raleigh North Carolina (prior to being the Wake Wheelers), and have seen something interesting.

Some use the sport as their identity, and can be very dangerous.  The sport is not just a sport, but rather it is part of their new identity.  Through the sport, they become un-disabled.  They become human again.  They are whole again.  

The sport should be for fun, but for these people, they must play in order to regain their standing in life.  They need to be human again.  

For others, the sport is just fun and an outlet; and so it was for me.  It was an opportunity to help.  It was an opportunity to be around my peers.  Gimps understand other gimps.  We do not have to do so much explaining to one another.  And, as an older player, it was easier to help the younger players and serve as a role model. 

But, you also get to see the transition.  Some started off still engaged in the same activity that caused them to be disabled, substance abuse, and then move on to work and being productive.  Being leaders and positive figures and the community.  It is good to see those like Mike Atkins.  I saw the transformation, although it was rough at times.  

Then you have those whom continue along the destructive path.  Being disabled is not enough.  They risk further and new disability, to include and not limited to death.  It is for those you pray for, while having to take stern stances.  It is one such stern stance that has caused a problem for me lately.  Disabled people are not all innocent and “cute and cuddly”.  Instead some people are bitter, have hatred, poor coping skills, or on a destructive path.  There are spirit filled, good people too, me.

It is those to be feared and dealt with.  While it is those like Zippora, from Brooklyn College, whom hated everyone and sued everyone.  It is Jason, the founder of hope SOFEDUP, whom ended up in jail for murder because he could not cope with his disability. 

It is Kevin Bailey, for whom the sport is him becoming human again.  He has to play every game, but he calls himself coach, and has one of the longest losing streaks.  Part of being a coach is knowing and doing what is best for the team.  And, sometimes it means getting off the court so that you can match skills and height rather than “Watch me me me me, play”.  

Sports should be fun and just an outlet.  Like those videos on TV wherein parent and spectators take their sport a little too seriously and fight and duke it out; we need to balance our lives.  Proper coping mechanisms is turning to God in adversity, and there is plenty adversity, because, the disabled are still half people, asexual, and “deserve to get that check” rather than work.  I see too many disability commercials and they are all about getting that check.  

How about using my Master’s degree and giving me a job.  I do not and did not ever want WELFARE.  

To the disabled I say, have fun, and do not let the sport be your source of identity.  

The looming question is always; Is it better to be born disabled, be disabled all your life, or have tasted being able bodied and lost it?  The answer is the disability is only as good as you turn it to a positive.  Yes, you can drink and drug your life away as a coping mechanism.  Yes you can play sports and have that be your identity.  It all depends on what you what and do with your life.  

Get over it and use it;  DON’T WORRY, BE HAPPY.  :)

Unfortunately, Baby Momma Drama has caused me in part to put this sport on hold.