Half Full?

Handicaps.
Sometimes it is apparent who has a handicap, right? That would be the person in the wheelchair, or with a walker, or perhaps the tell-tale signs of Downs Syndrome. Right?

I am not always so sure!

I am fairly certain that the folks with handicaps are the ones who treat those aforementioned folks differently. When we don't understand an inability, we tense; we change our tones, our actions, or even our speech. It is a majority of us "normal" folks that cannot comprehend "different".

Most every person that I have ever met with any sort of disability has a huge heart, a genuine sincerity, a deep-rooted joy, and an innate gift of simply accepting those who choose to take a moment to spend with them. I just watched a show about an autistic young man with an incredible photographic memory who has artwork hanging all over the world. THAT is not a handicap! During that same show a young man who had become paralized from the waist down decided to conquer Mt. Kilimanjaro in a self-designed wheelchair. THAT is not a handicap! Years ago I attended a function where a crowd of thousands was asked to put on their jackets with only one hand and then tie their shoes with only that same hand. He then introduced the Guest Speaker who had been shot and lost the use of one of his arms and explained that was his every morning. It was quite an eye-opening experience!

I think the "handicap" lies in not seeing the PERSON! Not seeing the abilities they have and the opportunities they offer. Most of us complain about traffic or crowds in the mall. If we were to change our viewpoint and see our days as "Half Full" or heck, how about sloshing over the top, what a difference we could make!

Have a "Half Full" kind of day!