Recently I took my message into the local middle School, where 400 sixth grade students discovered firsthand what it is like to cope with a physical disability. From Monday through Thursday, I visited them in their classrooms and gave them a fun opportunity to experience the obstacles that people with physical and learning disabilities face – and the tools used to overcome them.

Students were excited and curious. They asked tons of questions and were eager to volunteer. Some took a spin in my wheelchair, walked with the cane, while others had the chance to wrap a gift with one hand. The students saw what I could actually do with what seems to be a "dead arm."

After one of the sessions, a student sent me this note:

“Do you still have therapy? Do you have feeling in your hand or leg? Can you hold up fingers like 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 or do you have to do it all with your right hand?” She goes on to say, “Your story is so amazing, your movie was so emotional I can't believe you survived. To me your movie and story was so heart touching. When you got better it was wonderful you started a helping program for people like you.”

And that wonderful letter came from a sixth grader! Of course children can understand – even better, I think, than many adults.

Another student wears an upper body brace because of her disability. She told me how she didn’t feel alone after having me come in. We instantly bonded and she had a chance to talk with her fellow classmates about her experience.

For some of the students this was the first exposure to anyone with a disability. This gave the students an idea of what people with disabilities face. They took home a better understanding of how to interact with people who have disabilities. Receiving their written thank you messages - made the experience for me, that much better.

Our society tends to focus so much on the cost of accommodating the disabled, even pitying them, that we forget to appreciate their strength, and understand what we can learn from them. There's a contributing person in there, not a burden. It's about acceptance, understanding and appreciation – not pity

From speaking to sixth graders, I moved onto speaking with first year physical therapists at USC. I gave them a perspective from a stroke survivor so they will have a deeper appreciation of what dedicated therapists can accomplish with a better understanding of the patients they serve.

Exercising for cardiovascular fitness at my local college. A student nurse wraps my still paralyzed left arm and straps my left foot to the pedal of a stationary bike. My muscles get moving; and, wow, do I feel it today!

Do you have a physical disability? Take advantage of your local college’s adaptive programs for cardiovascular fitness – swimming, strength training, etc. These wonderful courses are designed for us with disabilities. There is no excuse for not feeling and doing better!

This article was published Feb 23, 2005 by Kate Adamson. Reprinted with permission.

 Visit Kate’s website.

Kate is Public Relations Director for The Stroke Network.

Copyright © January 2006

The Stroke Network, Inc.

P.O. Box 492 Abingdon, Maryland 21009

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