I was quite surprised when Coop called my mom and asked if I would do a testimony at this gathering tonight about what Young Life has meant to me. For those that know me, you know why I was surprised. But for those that don’t, I am probably the guy that walks with a limp. I don’t really look like there is a disability in my life. So, I thank Capernaum; Coop, Skeeter, Travis, and CW, for looking past my disabilities.
I have never been asked to do anything close to this before so forgive me if I am extremely nervous. To answer your question of “why” I am nervous, you need to look at my definition of cerebral palsy. Coop, CW, Travis, and I all have Cerebral Palsy. Mine is considered mild, right side more than left and has given me speech apraxia. The 19 surgical procedures have kept me out of a wheelchair and speech therapy for all those years has left me with the vocabulary I have today. The connection between my nervous system and muscle control in my face has left me with an “out going” vocabulary of an 18 month old child. That is understandable to you but I know exactly what you are telling me. Can you tell I have had to listen to this explanation many times before? But, this is my speech and how I communicate within your world and mine. My world understands me better and every once in a while I get out something new, especially if it is sports related. Because I can’t speak like everyone else, the world tends to think I don’t understand and can’t do much. But, that is enough of the medical junk.
However, to understand what Young Life has meant to me, you kind of needed to know that stuff. When I am in a new situation (or any situation), I do not say much. I am shy as a result. I am trying to figure things out that you would not give a second thought. Where is the rest room? I can’t ask what I need to know.
Young Life has allowed me to be me. I have become self confident. I have come out of my shell with them whether they know it or not. They understand me. They will figure it out.
I have been able to enjoy singing. That takes my mom’s breath away. But, I just love to sing.
Coming out of my shell has meant so many things to me like …..
….knowing where everything is so there isn’t a need to ask
….knowing that people are friendlies and that I won’t get pushed around
….Knowing the people are my friends
….knowing that they and I have God in our hearts and souls, but then maybe it is all these things.
I found that I do not get as frustrated as I once did. I just keep trying to get the person to understand what I am trying to communicate. I am now able to express my love of sports. Whether it is saying “Score!” in soccer or teasing Skeeter about North Carolina. I have a strong sense of other’s abilities and help out wherever I can. And, I have learned that it is okay to have different friends for different things.
Many of you tonight who have grown up with a disability, especially our moms, have read and re-read Mothers of Handicapped Children, by the late Erma Bombeck. With a little poetic creativity on a section, I find the words that help me express what it has been like. “ I (that would be God) will permit Drew to see clearly the things that I see (that would be God again)…ignorance, cruelty, prejudice … and allow Drew to rise above them. Drew will never be alone. I (that would be Him again) I will be at Drew’s side every minute of every day of his life.”’
God has a different plan for me. It is different than yours. So far, I have learned a lot. And, I plan on continuing down the path He is setting for me. That is what Young Life Caperaum has allowed me to see.
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