Today, I’m thankful for these words of wisdom coming from an idiotic, raunchy and rude cartoon show that my husband likes to watch
(while I sometimes sit and crochet next to him)

In this particular episode, the character Joe Swanson says that

It’s only when your worst fears come true, you find out how strong you really are.

Joe says this to his father, who is having a hard time facing his fears of having someone he loves with a disability.  Instead of fearing what abilities have been lost throughout a tragic event in your life, a person can turn around and really appreciate what they do have.

There are ups and downs in every life.  But without the downs, the ups wouldn’t seem as important.  In high school, I started out up, as a cheerleader having fun and then there came the struggle

with going through a car accident in 1997 resulting in a traumatic brain injury.  The injury caused me to relearn everything, from as simple as walking correctly, to brushing my teeth or drinking a glass of water.  I needed to learn new ways to do the same things I used to do, I still need to consciously remember to straighten my left arm, instead of clenching it to my side subconsciously.  Having overcome that period in my life has not only made me a stronger person, but it has enhanced all of the other events that people often take advantage of.  Advantages that a person would not think twice of, like finishing the reading of a book.  Many people with traumatic brain injuries do not have the attention span to stick with and complete reading an entire book.  Some people with brain injuries have a difficult time remembering the details of the past and therefore can’t enjoy movies.

So many ordinary things that people take advantage of every day.  Next time you accomplish something little…think about that