I can still hear the question, from many people: “When you going to act like an adult?” Simply, I answer, never.

Living with a disability, it can force a child to grow up faster than they should. Growing up, you get bombarded by questions about why this or why that? You in turn go to the adults in your life who give you the reasons, you are different, you are special. You deal with the stares, the looks, the people who outright ignore you, and you mature in the knowledge that the adult world is full of hurt and pain. Why you ask again and the adults in your life simply say, that’s the way it is.

But if we adults are suppose to lead our children by our examples, shouldn’t we change things to how we would like them to be? We tell our children, treat others as you want them to treat you. Yet, as adults, we don’t.

Living with a disability, many who say, that’s just the way it is, would think that having a disability is a burden, a cross to bear. I say to them, I will bear said cross. Perception on how we view the world is through our own eyes, but if you look through the eyes of a child you see truth, honesty, and innocence. A disability is nothing more than just a modification in doing life’s tasks. Nothing more and nothing less.

As adults, again, we easily see it as a limitation. We don’t hire people that we don’t understand. Yet, this large minority of workforce is ready to help. We carefully watch everything a person with a disability does and remark how amazing when they do something we thought they couldn’t. In mind’s eye I know there are things I just can’t do, but I also don’t discount anything. I will attempt to do things before I put them on my can not do list.

I do have adult eyes now, but I refuse to give up my vision of truth, honesty, and innocence. We are children of life. We shape the world around us with our actions. Do we want to continue down the narrow path of difference or do we want to open our eyes to the possibilities of life?

For some it will be a leap of faith to trust others. But children do it all the time and it’s a good thing. Matthew 18:3 says, “… unless you become like little children you will not enter the kingdom of heaven”.

Life is full of hapiness and beauty even amongst the challenges. Be a child of life and lead by example. Be positive when everyone else is so negative. Smile if at the sight of death. For we are here only for a short time and we need to remember the good, the positive moments that make life a pleasure. How many times have you heard someone wish they could go back and relive a certain childhood memory? Why does childhood have to be limited by age? It’s your life, live it!