"I Am. . .So Much More Than You See!"

"Uncomfortable" is the word that I would use to describe the way a doctor made me feel in a recent appointment. I went with my physical therapist to see about getting leg braces to help me with my walking. Little did I know the doctor would be surprised that I could even walk into his office because I have a Mitochondrial disease. He basically told me that I am lucky to be alive with the condition that I have and he was surprised that I did not come in on a scooter. Obviously, he has little knowledge about Mitochondrial diseases because if he had done his research he would have known that the disease affects every person differently. I said to him that even though I can walk I still have challenges with my endurance and balance. The point I was trying to make was that I am happy with how well I am doing but I will always continue to search for anything that can help me improve and compensate for my daily challenges. I left the office feeling angry not only for the c...

Have you ever been in an unfamiliar place but you feel like you are home? This was the feeling I got yesterday as I got a job offer for my dream job. I walked into the office of the nonprofit I will be working for and the butterflies floated away, my heart calmed down and I felt confident. This is my dream job because I will be helping people with disabilities learn the life skills they need to be successful. I will be able to use my life experiences to connect, my strategies to guide and my education to inform.  I can't wait to start making a difference in people's lives just like my "team" has done for me! While it took a lot of hard work, determination and persistence to experience yesterday, I truly believe that my career journey will help me guide my clients in the path that is best for them. Looking forward to this next chapter in my life! Written by Sydney Breslow 

In the process of looking for a job, there have been many times where I have felt angry about having a disability and said to myself or out loud, "I wish I could be normal." However, someone with a disability recently said to me, "normal is boring" and I thought, this is so true! I started thinking about all the things that would be different in my life if I were "normal" and I realized my disability has in part made me the person I am today. 1. If I were "normal," I wouldn't have met the amazing physical therapists that I have worked with, some of whom have become friends and even family. 2. If I were "normal," I wouldn't have the empathy that I have for people with disabilities. 3. If I were "normal," I wouldn't have the same relationship that I have with my family and friends. 4. If I were "normal," I wouldn't have met some of the amazing people that I did in college. 5. If I were ...