I am a paradox in many ways. Who I am, my beliefs, values, and actions simply contradict one another on the surface.
On one hand, I can be fiercely independent and determined that if I believe I can do something, I will give my all in an effort to ensure that it happens. On the other hand, I am reliant on others for many of my basic needs.
We each are part of the whole.
I can be so sure of myself and my abilities, that I charge, headlong, across the country toward a life I am sure to be more fulfilling. At the same time, I’m never afraid to ask for support from friends or strangers to help fill in the gap that I know I can’t manage on my own.
I can be a spiritual recluse, journeying alone to find my personal connection to the divine. Then enter a community and offer leadership through insisting that every unique voice is heard and valued through collaboration.
I suppose with all of this, it is inevitable that my intended message of inclusion and inter-dependence would be misunderstood. It is my firm belief that individual success and independence is founded upon the ability to relate to others in the community, both giving and receiving when needed. It is only through this impeccable balance of mutual exchange that one can foster a sense of independence and success.
A perfect example is: Megan and I need an accessible van so that we can continue to serve through speaking, and leading workshops, and create the impact in our community that we feel is our calling. It would be arrogant of us to believe that we could do this alone, without asking for help from anyone, and forging ahead without our community at our side. Even worse than this arrogance, it would lead us to a situation where success would be an impossibility, for in taking this burden on ourselves, we would be alluding ourselves to a world in which we would not be able to serve others as we intended.
For many of us, there can be a great sense of pride, and accomplishment in overcoming a great hurdle on our own, and indeed, there are times when this may be appropriate.
However, what limitations do we place on ourselves in such an endeavor? Do we limit our ability to serve a greater purpose? If we deny supporting others out of a sense of ego, is it not easy for us to ask for support. Particularly something that may appear to be quite large in expense?
From my perspective, it requires a huge willingness to be vulnerable, to expose ourselves to the community around a seemingly impossible need without knowing the precise avenue or outcome. The exchange here is not necessarily a direct one, as it is in business, in the handing off of one set of products or goods for services.
No, this exchange will create an impact down the line. It will allow us the ability to empower others with and without disabilities to live more fulfilling and inclusive lives. Our ability to interact with those individuals enhances their potential to make the same community impacts, rippling out and shifting the paradigm of what it means to have a disability and to live engaging and productive lives.
Check out our Pay It Forward Campaign: http://www.gofundme.com/3393f8
For every $50 we raise, we will contribute an hour of service back to the community!
Contribute and be sure to add a note that says:
Please contribute (hours) towards (organization from the choices below) in honor/memory of (name).
The organizations we will be gifting time back to are:
Read and Feed
http://www.readandfeed.org
Raleigh City Farm
http://raleighcityfarm.com/
Habitat for Humanity of Wake County
http://www.habitatwake.org
Contribute $50, and we’ll donate a full hour of service to the organization of choice. For those that would like to donate $25, we’ll contribute .5 hours for the organization of your choice.