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3 little conversations = amazing reminders

God is working so much through this blog and conversations that i am just amazed. my prayer and hope for this blog is to make people more aware and not be afraid to have conversations about having a disability and it is so wonderful to see how it is moving. i wanted to write about 3 conversations that have occurred in the last few days.

last week as i was driving my friend back to east campus she asked me about how hard it was to be able to get my license and want problems occurred. first i was so happy she asked this because people tend to be curious but are afraid to ask. i told her it was definitely a battle. when i first started the process people judged me a lot and didnt even give me a chance to prove that i could drive. i mean there was a time a person didnt even want me to take the written permit test. that was in high school and i felt that it wasnt the right time to learn how to drive and maybe i needed to grow in myself more. therefore i didnt start back up learning to drive until college. i had to go through a special needs instructor. i then figured out that i needed to drive with a knob on my steering wheel and a right handed blinker. my left side is stronger then my right so i hold the knob with my left hand and hit the blinker with my right hand. i did SO many lessons and figured out that my instructor was making me do lessons more than i needed. so i took my driving license test without my instructor being there. the evaluator at first freaked out an said she was not qualified to evaluate me. but aha! i had documentation that said i could go to a regular dmv. therefore i took the driving test and passed!! there is not a day that goes by when i drive that i do not think about how blessed i am to be able to drive!

on saturday i went to a yoga class at the gym. to be frank i am definitely not good at yoga! i fall sometimes and have to accommodate the positions so i could do it myself but hey im working myself up to getting better at it. anyways i wanted to say that the instructor was amazing. she would come up to me and help me. at the end of the class she came up and asked what disability i had. i told her and she said that yoga is going to be so good for me and i need to keep at it. i was SO beyond thankful for her openness and having the courage to come up and ask me what i had. she was so encouraging and i walked away with a smile because i love it when people dont just judge but want to know the truth and care.

lastly, i came home today to my roommates. my one roommate is doing a study on cerebral palsy and we had an open conversation about my condition and what can happen with others. they then said knowing me helps them be more aware of others who have the same disability and how to interact with them. that is what i love. i want to be an advocate for others who have a disability. i want people to see us as normal but do things a little different. one thing i want everyone to remember is you never know who you may impact. these little things let me realize to never doubt myself and to always keep pushing on. be a light for someone. you can even be a light for people you may never even know.

Comments

  1. AnonymousSeptember 16, 2013 at 5:09 PM

    I love you!

    ReplyDelete
  2. graceSeptember 17, 2013 at 10:29 AM

    You are such an inspiration Nicole! I am so honored to have known you and been able to know you in such a unique fashion. You will change lives and be such a light for the Lord.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nicole MartinSeptember 17, 2013 at 9:48 PM

      thank you so much! i appreciate the kind words and encouragement!! :)

      Delete

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