I think it is me
- Allison Murphy
- 7 days ago
- 5 min read
Something else that makes me super happy is feeling valued. I mean, who doesn't love a bit of recognition, right? Being valued means someone thinks you're fantastic, totally deserving of respect, and all-around great. In my world, my friends and family think I'm the greatest thing ever, but professionally, I feel like a missing sock in the laundry. I can't tell if I'm missing something or if everyone else doesn't see how awesome I am.
I've been luckier than a cat in a fish market; opportunities have popped up from the most unexpected places, like joining random groups, making phone calls, or just being at the right place at the right time. Take this opportunity, for example; my blog, where I get to ramble on, came about from a chance meeting at an expo. I started chatting with David and April from Friendly Connections. They gave me a platform to share my world, and I jumped on it faster than a seagull snatching a sandwich. Little did I know that they valued my ramblings by giving me this space. They trusted that I'd do my best and appreciated my quirky contributions. In other words, they thought I was awesome even when I was clueless about it. Thanks a million, David and April.
I recently chatted with some grad students at Iona University, sharing my life story—the same one I tell K-12 kids. But here's the kicker: while the younger crowd is thrilled to escape the classroom, the grad students soak up my story like it's the last slice of pizza at a party. They treated me like one of their own, even inviting me to help them understand disability and function better. We've been tinkering with a 3D printer, and let me tell you, the hands-on experience is worth its weight in gold. This deeper dive is going to make them top-notch professionals. My tales are giving these students a learning boost. But let's be honest; the highlight was munching on mini cannolis in the café and gossiping about guys and dating. For a moment, I forgot about my disability, saw my value, and just enjoyed being one of the gals.
I've mentioned it many times, but I'm part of Orange County Think Differently. It's a county initiative run mainly by volunteers to inspire everyone to be inclusive. Funny enough, I was already doing this alone, but now I have a platform to back me up. I've been to schools and businesses and even spoken at conferences about how easy it is to think differently. This work has been super inspiring for me. I've seen people like Joe making changes to include everyone. I'm now looking for places already interested in thinking differently rather than trying to convince those who aren't into it. I know this committee values me, and I feel appreciated as an individual. So much so that I'm thinking of starting a consulting business to change how people view disability, one company, school, or municipality at a time. I'm open to ideas for what to call this adventure. Feel free to throw some suggestions my way.
As I was putting this blog together, I started wondering if it was me who didn't appreciate myself or if it was others. That's a tough one. To me, it felt like people judged me based on my wheelchair or my speech struggles. But as I was writing, I realized maybe I was not valuing myself, which led to self-doubt. That made it easier to undervalue myself. I get that it's hard to see what others see in me. It's like when my mom says she wishes I could see myself through her eyes—the strong, confident, funny person with so much to offer. The one people rely on and turn to for answers—the one who lights up a room. A friend recently told me that people appreciate and value me not because of my disabilities but because of who I am. I need to see myself for who I am, not what I am.
I've always aimed to make the world a better place for everyone. I think I also need to see myself the way others see me. People have always said I'd do big things, make a difference, and show the world who I am, not just what I am. That's exactly what I try to do. When I see opportunities, I dive in and offer my perspective through my disability lens. I'm fortunate that my community recognizes my worth by including me. I'm also learning to value myself so others can see my value.
April Awareness:
Autism Awareness Month: Every April, Autism Speaks kicks off World Autism Month, starting with World Autism Awareness Day on April 2, recognized by the United Nations. This year marks the 18th World Autism Awareness Day. All month long, the focus is on telling the stories about people, boosting understanding and acceptance of people with autism, and building support worldwide.
Blah Blah Blah day: April 17 is Blah Blah Blah Day, a perfect excuse to finally tackle those little reminders from friends and family that you've been ignoring. It's also the perfect time to get cracking on those New Year’s resolutions you promised yourself you'd do. Fun fact: The term ‘blah’ first appeared in a 1918 memoir about gossip and pointless chatter. According to Dictionary.com, “blah blah blah” means meaningless talk or idle gossip. It's also what you might say when you're tuning out of a conversation or feel like someone’s nagging you.
Deaf History Month rolls around every April. While it’s not officially recognized as a national holiday, it’s a great time to spotlight the deaf community and its challenges. This month is all about celebrating the outstanding contributions deaf individuals and the community have made to our country. Plus, it’s a chance to dive into the advocacy efforts by various organizations working hard to make life better and more inclusive for those who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Scream Day, celebrated on April 24, might initially sound a bit silly, but it has its benefits. In today’s fast-paced world, we all deal with a lot of stress and anxiety that needs a healthy outlet. While meditation is a popular way to unwind, many psychologists believe that a good old-fashioned scream can help you let it all out. Yelling out your frustrations can surprisingly calm your mind.
Thank you for reading until the end!
This is the view from my wheelchair, where miracles can make a difference. Always Strive for the Impossible. Happy holidays. Come back next week to see what is on my mind and hear more about my experiences and The View From My Wheelchair.
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