I never cease to be amazed at the uber-cool things people feel called to do, and the obstacles they can overcome to do them. For me, real people's stories both inspire me and help me keep things in perspective.
Stories like this one about Will Spence. Confined to a wheelchair by Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and able to breathe only with the help of a respirator, Spence recently launched a social networking site for people with debilitating diseases or injuries. As the article describes it...
Spence has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. His movement is limited to his head, and even that is limited.
"You can only spend so many days focusing on you or your disease," Spence said. "Choice is a powerful thing. I choose to try and make a difference."
That is why he has spent 5 months and his lifesavings to create a social networking Web site for people with debilitating diseases or injuries.
"If you are like me and you have trouble getting out of the house, at least you have another avenue to connect with people," Spence said.
He said, "It gives me a personal significance because I am going through a disease that is debilitating and devastating and I feel like I can connect with others through this Web site. It gives me personal satisfaction. To be able to help people is just as exceptional."
Much as I would like to pretend that I have a perpetually sunny attitude, the reality is that there are times when I just feel downright cranky about the things I see standing in the way between me and what I want.
When that happens, stories like Spence's offer an invaluable sense of perspective. For example...
Spence built the Web site one painstaking keystroke at a time. He uses his mouth to maneuver a metal rod over each computer key.
Snippets like that leave me feeling, "...and those obstacles standing in your way feel like such a big deal...why, exactly?" Followed quickly by, "Dude, get over yourself and get back to work. You've got a world to change."
Check out The Occupational Adventure Guide
Curt Rosengren, Passion Catalyst TM
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