Blooming Naturally

Opening minds to acceptance need not be negative. My journey with Wil’s diagnosis is likened to a flower blossoming through a crack in the concrete, unfolding, stretching, growing, reaching, and opening fully to the sun. At first unbelievable, then freeing, and now a natural part of life.

Disability is a natural part of the human condition. Yes, you can argue I will get trampled again and again. Yes, I will be under the concrete again finding a new space to grow. But herein lies the difference. The concrete is real, but I don’t have to stare at it. I now know there is always a crack in the concrete somewhere because I have experienced it.

I’ve experienced bumping my head multiple times in search of the sun. I know that bumping my head — now in a progressive way — is simply part of the process in reaching a glorious opening to expand with the sun.

It hurts no less to continually bump my head. But I know, very deeply within me, that the more flowers I bloom, the more the natural human condition of people with disability will be recognized as a beautiful, natural part of life, and to be appreciated as such.

There is room for all of us to grow, but only when we open ourselves to fully supporting this growth that blossoms in its own natural way and time.