The Hardest Thing about having a disability.

I think I wanted my independence at this age.  Knowing me I probably climb up into the rocking chair myself!!

A couple weeks ago I got interviewed for a church up in Portland.  They are doing a Woman Dessert for their church Christmas party.  So three people from the church came down to camp to hang out with me for the day to hear my story and video tape me to take back to Portland.
One of the question was, "What is the hardest thing about being disabled?'  For me, the hardest thing about being disabled is that some people think I am more disabled then I really am.   I think because of my speech, people who don't know me think I have a developmental disability.  When I tell them that I live on my own, have a job (one that I been at for almost 8 years), drive, and live across the country from my family, they are speechless!!

Cerebral Palsy can't stop me from
doing a 5k!

 The other day at the doctor's office, she asked me if my mom lived at camp with me.  I said no, my mom lives in Iowa and my family is all in the Midwest.  She was so amazed!!  I give a lot of credit to my parents.  Growing up with five siblings, my mom and dad treated me just as one of them.  One time I told my mom, "Thanks for not babying me."  She said, "Brianne I didn't have time to baby you!"  I am so grateful for that!!!
There are people that just don't know, and their are people who just don't want to know!  It is hard when people don't want to know.  You can tell them and show them until you are blue in the face, but the keep treating you as if you are less capable then you really are. 
I want people to know and to treat me as the same as you would yourself or your other friends.  For almost 10 years I have been working with people with development disabilities.  As a side note, they also want to be treated just as you too!!
When I first started working with people with developmental disabilities, I had a hard time believing that I was one of the staff members.  For years I believe what some people told me and treated me.  My first job after college was at the Northern Hills Training Center.  In my mind I thought people were judging me.  I thought they were thinking, "Why is she staff, she has a disability."  This is only  what I believe not what they actually said.


In John 8:31, Jesus tells his disciples,  "If you hold on to my teachings, you are really my disciples.  Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."  The disciples were confused because they were not slaves, so they wondered how they could be set free.   Jesus answered, "Very truly I tell you everyone who sins, is a slave to sin.  John 8:34.
"Why is not my language not clear to you?  Because you are unable to hear what I say.  You belong to your father, the devil.  When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies."  Jesus goes on to tell us that there is no truth in him. 

When I first learned about having a relationship with Jesus, my counselor taught me that I was believing lies that were not from God.  It was in counseling, where I learned that Satan and Jesus were both real and both wanted my heart and my mind.  There was so many lies I was believing.  One of the biggest lies I was believing that I was not good enough and that people were viewing me as less then I was.  I also figured they were right.  This was so real at the Training Center.  My mind and heart were struggling.  One of the biggest things my counselor taught me is to tell myself the truth.  The truth was, 1.  I wasn't really sure if the staff at the Training Center thought this.  2.  I know that am just physically disabled and that all that matters.  I would love to tell you that my first job is were I learned these truths, but it wasn't.  God had to bring me out to Oregon, working more with developmental disabled adults, and years to learn this truth.   But nine years after graduating college and being in the "real world," I have learned this truth.  But ONLY with the love and patience of Jesus!!
I remember one time being in Deadwood with Brooke.  She was talking to someone, and I was standing right beside her.  The girl asked Brooke, "How is she?'  Brooke looked at me and said, "I don't know, Brianne, how are you.?"  I said, "I'm fine!"  Brooke was so annoyed when the girl left.  About a year ago, I was with my friend in a thrift store.   I was looking at something in a case, the lady behind the counter asked my friend, "What's wrong with her?"  My friend said she was so annoyed that someone would say that.  She answered, "Nothing!"  The funniest story though, is when I moved to Oregon, I had to go to the doctor's office to get a shot.  I got a random Dr.  He looked and me and in a loud voice, said "DO YOU READ LIPS?"  He was dead serious!  I said, "No!  I can hear very well!"  My friends here in OR and I still laugh at that one!!

Learning to tell myself the truth.  I am
capable as my peers!

In Matthew 7:7, Jesus said, "Do not judge, or you too will be judged.  For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged."   So as I conclude my blog this week, I ask that you get to know someone with a disability before you assume anything about their life.  You might be surprised what they are truly capable of!!