On Being a Cripple

[Lulu54]

A recently released text book crossed my desk last week and inside was a wonderful surprise.  They are using Nancy Mair's essay, On Being a Cripple, in the section on identity. This is a woman who has lived with MS for almost 50 years, built a career, raised a family, and contributed much to the world in her work with death row inmates and her writings on life from a wheelchair.

I had the chance to meet Nancy and her husband this fall when they were on campus for a special appearance.  This is a woman who still has much to offer to the world, despite her slow decline into totally disability with her MS.  She now requires assistance for everything in her life, except thinking and embracing new opportunities.  She has not let bitterness or anger at MS change who she is.

She is truly an inspirational person to spend time with and I hope you will set aside some quiet time to read her words and reflect on their meaning.  

http://userwww.sfsu.edu/~mmartin/Mairs.pdf

be well,
Laura

[Lulu54]

I am so glad all of you took the time to read this and understand her words.  

GG - you can get in line with me on being in awe of this woman and her approach to MS.  I need to email her and ask if she has updated her journey in writing  since this is a rather old piece.  

You might want to check out her book  Waist High : A Life Among the Nondisabled if you would like to read more.

[Guitar_grrrl]

Oh, what fun!  A new Hero!  I'm really not being facetious, here, this woman ROCKS!  Thank you so much for this, Laura.  I wanna be like her, and I think I'm well on my way.

Like Nancy, I don't look at this like a "Pollyanna" approach - we can live well in spite of this rat b@stard of a disease, and we are NOT our disease.

Just sayin'

[RazCarver]

thanks Lulu really liked this essay.

[JaneK1975]

Thanks Lulu. A beautiful essay.

[shoshin]

Here is a post from Wheelchair Kamikaze on a similar theme:

http://www.wheelchairkamikaze.com/2012/02/dont-get-stuck-in-suck.html

(the last word rhymes with muck in case it gets blanked out)

[Lulu54]

Daphne, I'm glad to see that you liked this essay.  

~Lu

[DaphneJ]

I thought it was a great post, MS is a devastating diagnosis for many and to hear of someone who has managed to contribute so much despite adversity gives hope and that is something that many of us need.
Daphne

[Emily_MHManager]

Hi everyone -

Please keep this on topic, which is Lulu suggesting a book she likes, and thinks others will enjoy also.

Thanks,

Emily

[Lulu54]

I hope that the essay is read in its complete version, it offers a great uplifting message of hope and determination.  She speaks specifically about directing her anger toward the disease of MS rather than being angry at herself.  She also writes about letting go of the anger at herself and forgiving herself because she didn't bring on her MS.    

[sllowe]

Oh, Lu. What a chance encounter that must of been, to have the opportunity to spend some time with this amazing lady.

Thank you so much for sharing this with us. Truly inspirational and motivating.
-Shell

[Cosmobirdy]

LuLu,

That is a great essay - thanks so much for posting the link!!

Rita