Your Own Kind

Samantha has Multiple Sclerosis. If you are reading this and you are a devoted follower, you already know that about me. Since, I know I have mentioned that a few times before in previous writings. I apologize for the repeat. 

If you are a new reader of this blog , this new piece of information is for you. Yes, that is the reason I am in a wheelchair. Nope I can't stand up or walk without assistance from assistive devices or a person. Not going to lie it does, for lack of a better word suck! I mean not being able to hold a glass of water and drink it  quickly without using a straw
or splashing it on my face. Whatever. Sorry, venting a little. Lol.This is all something out of my control so just going to accept it and with the help and leading of God, I'm just going to deal with it! I'm going to try super hard to live life with a smile on my face!

I got diagnosed with multiple sclerosis when I was 21 years old and I am now 38. You guys do the math. It has been a pretty long time living with MS so I'm pretty much used to it. Most of the time.

Having multiple sclerosis, does have  very positive perks. But on the flip side the atmosphere is not so positive. I'm not going to bore you with that stuff or discourage you. So I will stick with the positive.

One example I want to share is this. Since I am a disabled woman, I'm able to utilize the Paratransit service. It's a shared ride for people who do not drive but need to go somewhere. In order to be eligible for the service, you must first be interviewed. Then, if you are approved to use the service. You need to call a day before to schedule your ride. The day of pickup is always a mystery. Drivers may be early, on time, or super late. The lateness I assume is mostly due to spontaneous traffic.  Well, that's all I wanted to say about that.

To be honest most times, I do enjoy urilizing the service because, it is a way for me to really meet people. I pass out my cards too. Hopefully my whole demeanor is encouraging to people.
Some people I meet are pretty cool well sometimes.

I think what makes it the way it is, is because I get a sense of comfort being with the people of "my own kind." Well sort of. Let me explain what I mean. Most of the time, I need help entering the vehicle, putting my seatbelt on, sitting up straight. Most people don't have problems doing the normal stuff.

So, to be around people who do have problems with that kind of stuff makes me comfortable, and not feel so weird or sorry for myself.

My story kind of reminds me of Jesus eating with the tax collectors. See many people did not like Jesus for some reason. Many people definitely do not like tax collectors. So Jesus and the tax collectors they kind of had common ground.

See, don't you feel comfortable when you're around people who are somewhat exactly the when you are. I know some people don't like to use the paraTransit van, because of their own personal reasons. Mostly because they don't have to. Mostly, because they're able to do normal things. If you are normal, embrace the normalcy! Because things can change as fast as a blink of an eye.

Encouraging thought of the day:  

Thank God today you can hold the glass of water without 
splashing it on your face or spilling it.

Gavin Kelontae