Disability is not ugly, or fragile or a broken part of life.

I’ve just been watching Kurt Furnley on the ABC.   He is an Australian paralympian.  He is outstanding and listening to him has got me thinking.

I have a mental illness,  schizophrenia but I refuse to see myself as disabled and I would not change my life or my journey in any way.  I refuse to see myself as damaged or inferior in any way.  My reality at times may be different to the mainstream,  the so-called normal or average population,  but really who wants to be just average, just so-called normal when you can be considered interesting and resilient and strong, by being different.  I am an individual and although I may be considered not normal I like who I am because I am unique and by being unique I challenge the stereotype of what a so-called mentally ill person is and what I can achieve.  ✍️ Writing a blog has been empowering for me in ways I would not have dreamed possible 4 years ago.  I feel valued and resilient and my voice matters.. I don’t consider myself disabled anymore. I have a voice.