MY VOICE, AN ASSET, NOT A PROBLEM
I want to talk to you about this. My voice. We all have little defects that annoy us. Some of us can cover up these flaws like zits, birthspots, freckles or ingrown hairs. But what about those of us who can not use make up to cover our marring features? How would you feel if tomorrow morning you woke up and you couldn't walk, or in an instant you lost your stamina, or maybe, something just didn't change the way you wanted it to. It can be tormenting, it can be taxing, but it can also be a chance to confront a challenging obstacle and grow. I want to introduce you to three wonderful people, whose last names coincidentally begin with R. These 3 R's are role models, especially for people like me. Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Christopher Reeve, and James Russell have overcome huge obstacles. Next to these people, my problem is minimal, next to my problem, your problem might be minimal, I can focus on my problem or I can focus on my assets. We all can.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt had a certain magic over America that inspired many peoples, but it wasn't for his disability, in fact, this was not widely known until his death. It was for his Ability to lead. According to his biography by Russell Freedman, before his polio, he raced his kids, played tennis, and lead a successful life as a young Politician in the New York Senate. He even ran for Vice President in 1920. But that all changed on a summer day in Maine in 1921. He felt a chill up his leg. He went to bed, and the next morning, his legs were numb. This was the beginning of a horrible physical demise over the next year. He soon built himself back to strength, even though he was never to walk by himself ever again, and in 1928, became the governor of New York. Sometimes he would joke about his paralysis calling things "funny as a crutch" or if he had to go, he would even tell you, "bye, have to run". But as much as he would like to joke in private, he would rarely show his disability in public. But even with that, he helped others with polio by buying and rebuilding Warm Springs into a resort for polio victims. He would always tell his fellow victims, "You've got to know you're going to improve. Stay mentally alert, Don't lose contact with the things you enjoyed before infantile paralysis. Roosevelt was responsible for yanking us out of the Great Depression, direct us to Victory in World War II, and creating the New Deal. No time to focus on his problem; too busy with the problems of the nations. His assets overshadowed his disability.
My second R gives us many good words to live by. Christopher Reeve was living an almost perfect life. He was Superman, he had a beautiful wife, and beautiful children. He was doing what he desired, he was living life the way it should be lived. But one day in Culpepper, Christopher Reeve went out horseback riding. It began perfectly, but at the third jump, his horse suddenly stopped. Reeve was flying in the air. When he landed, he was paralyzed from the neck down. That was it. His perfect life ended. He says-
"You're sitting here fighting depression, you're in shock, you look out the window, you can't believe where you are- and the thought that goes through your mind is 'This can't be my life, there's been a mistake.'"
Those words of Reeve's, as stated in the August 26, 1996 issue of Time describe the depression after any paralyzing incident for anyone. But instead of dwelling on his disability, Reeve launched a one-man campaign to inform America about Paralysis. His campaign has been successful, leading to much awareness, and bringing the likes of people such as John Lithgow and Jane Seymour to rally behind it. Reeve's first words to his wife Sara after the accident were, "Maybe we should let me go." What a change he has gone through. Reeve was the valedictory speaker at the University of Virginia in 1998. In his address he states, "The first time I came here, I was in a stretcher, this time I am in a wheelchair, the next time I will be here, I shall walk." He has made a bad incident benefit all. That makes a leader and a legend. Oh-incidentally, Reeve is back in show business-directing, not acting. His made for TV movie In the Gloaming received several Emmy nominations. He is changing direction so he can continue to focus on his assets.
On a personal note, I would rather dwell on my successes than on the moments that I was picked on, or laughed at, which number many. I wish that I don't have to prove myself in order to be accepted, but with my voice, I do. Last summer, I went to Boys' State. Many of Virginia's top leaders attended. There was every type of person there, including many different heritages and cliques. There were athletes, popular people, unpopular people, smart kids, and everyone else you could think of. I came in with high hopes of Statewide office which were quickly abolished. Many thought it was luck that got me here. How could someone with different ideas, and worse, a high-pitched voice contribute to a society? But Monday evening, I achieved a major turning point. I ran for mayor. As I spoke to my city, MacArthur City, it was like I was casting a certain magic over them. I lost the race, but won the respect of the other citizens. At the end of the week, many in the city told me I had taught them a valuable lesson, not to discount anyone with a flaw. My determination kept me going as I obtained City Clerk and the 2nd Alternate to Boys' Nation. But it was put best by my roommate from Colonial Heights-
"At first, I didn't know what to think of you with your voice and all, but when I heard you speak, I was so amazed, I was proud to say 'this is my roommate.' I chose to focus on my assets, not worry about the problem with my voice.
If you have been paying attention, you will have noticed that I have not mentioned the third R. There is a wonderful man that attended my school. His name is James Russell. He was born a normal child, but one day, doctors told his parents that he needed an operation for a hernia. Neglect during the operation resulted in a loss of oxygen to the brain for 5 minutes. He could no longer walk, talk, or function normally. From now on, he would have to be helped to the bathroom, have someone write for him, have someone else feed him, have the print on a page blown up so that he could read. At first, no one at school could understand what he said, his speech was unintelligible. Some at school chose to mock him because they thought he sounded funny. But as time passed by, these people began to understand him. And when that happened, they were in for the biggest treat in their lives. He has a wonderful sense of humor, and loves to have fun and to joke around. And last year, he made straight A's, touched many people's lives, gave an oral presentation on gun control to his English Class, all by himself, and he went to the prom. I was the proud man to sell him the tickets. Doing just that made my day. And on June 6, 1998, he graduated from his new high school in Pittsburgh.
When I speak or hear about these 3 R's, it makes believe in myself and in others. Coincidentally, all three men are paralyzed-but bodies aren't the only things that can become paralyzed. Fate paralyzes bodies, but despair paralyzes our minds and that can be a more debilitating handicap. If they can do it, I can do it. If I can do it, you can do it. I have been inspired by these 3 R's and I am learning to focus on my strengths. Spirit, not genius, drives people to the top. Everyone can be successful, no matter how many flaws they have. You don't have to be perfect. Life is rough enough for a teenager, We all suffer embarrassment, such as eating lunch alone, or dropping our books in the middle of the hall. Put in perspective these problems should not set us back. Truly, they are unimportant. And come to think of it, I am a very lucky person, all I have to cope with is this. Next time you break up with a boyfriend/girlfriend, don't think your life is going to end, just think of Roosevelt, Reeve, and Russell, and what they have gone through. When you are having a rough day, try to remember this voice, it might help.