The gift

The gift of movement. How often do you think about and appreciate all your body can do? All the little movements our bodies do that we may take for granted. Lifting your hand to your mouth to brush your teeth, eat, brush your hair, bend over to tie your shoes, sit up in bed, just to name a few. I have not always been so acutely aware and as grateful as I should be for the gift of movement that I have. Like most of us do, I take it for granted far too often.

You know the saying, someone always has it worse than you, be grateful! While this is certainly true, it is not always helpful to say that to someone. But also, when soaking in the truth of that statement, if you are able, it is really eye opening. The truth is, we all struggle in some way. Some days, months, years we are better equipped to handle our struggles, and sometimes they almost take us under, and we feel like we are drowning. It is easy to get bitter towards others that have what we do not, physically speaking in this instance.

I decided a long time ago that I do not have the energy to be bitter, nor the right to be, towards all non-disabled people. It would be easy for me to. I could resent others because they can do things I cannot, or I can face the reality that is out of my control and instead put my energy towards where I am at right now. Everywhere I go, everything I watch on TV, I see mostly people who are not visibly disabled. Rarely, do I see in person, a person with a visible disability. In a rare instance, a TV show may show a person with a disability, but we still live in a time where we think, “oh wow, that is awesome, finally!” It should just be the norm, but it is not.

Part of how I appreciate my gift of movement is exercise. I became interested in exercise during college. Since then, I have been consistent with exercising in some form. I am always looking for treatments or therapies off the beaten path. I have had some success with those types of things that I have chased down, and some I have not. Trial and error but continuing to move forward. To me, “exercise” is swimming, water jogging, stretching, or even chores around the house certainly are exercise for me. Exercise for me does not have to mean what it means to a non-disabled person. It is what I make it, and it keeps me moving and motivated. I have no doubt that it has helped me.

One of the most defining and precious moments in my life was when my son Jack taught me how to run when I was 45 years old. He taught me to run in the water. I am so glad we captured that beautiful moment on video. Even though I had watched others run my whole life, I had no idea how to do it. He was 12 at the time. He was so kind, gentle, patient and encouraging. It took my breath away. I was in awe of that moment. Since then, I have been consistent, and I have improved so much. I never thought I would have the chance to “run” in my lifetime. It was not the way I had daydreamed about so many times throughout my life, but even better. It was my way.

It takes humble courage to accept that your way may not look like most around you. It takes confidence to regularly commit to something grueling. I cannot ignore the fact that I have the gift of movement that so many long for. I want to protect it, and honor it for as long as I have it. I always say, do whatever you can, however you can. You may just surprise yourself.

Until next time …

Amy Shinneman is a former National Ambassador for the Muscular Dystrophy Association, disability blogger, wife, and mom of two boys. You can find her blog at humblycourageous.com and reach her on Instagram @ashinneman.