See What Is Right
Through this week, Glenda and I had a conversation, really, not an interview. She was open, authentic, and transparent in sharing the stories of her life and her publishing achievements. If were in my old job, I would have tried to find a way to talk Glenda into coming to work for me as work-at-home writer.
Glenda and I had a conversational interview — one question at time. I sent her a conversational email that ended with a question. She added to the conversation when she retuned the answer to the question. When the answer email arrived, I responded to the conversation and sent an additional question.
One exception to the one question at a time rule occurred.
Thinking Glenda might want to know I was going to ask this final question, I sent it early along with another, stating it would the the last of the questions.
I should have known that Glenda wouldn’t need time with this — that she would have the answer.
Here’s that question and here’s Glenda’s reply.
I’m sure that, as a woman with a significant disability, you find folks often focus on the wrong things when they meet you. . . . But then, I feel that sort of thing happens to me too. . . . If you could tell the whole world something once, have them believe you and understand, what would you tell them?
Despite my speech impairment, I am not deaf. I can hear just fine. And I am not cognitively impaired. I am an intelligent woman and I understand you, as long as you are speaking English.
Despite my cerebral palsy and my jerky movements, I have the same needs, wants, dreams and desires as anyone, as any woman. I do not consider myself courageous or brave for simply living my life and following my dreams. After all, what else am I suppose to do with my life? Other peopleââ¬â¢s misperceptions and assumptions are what limit me, not my so-called disability.
Look beyond what is wrong with me and see what is right. You may be pleasantly surprised.
Thanks Liz for conversing with me in this way. Iââ¬â¢m curious to see how it turns out.
You just explained the reasons I’m so glad to have met you. Thank you so much. I’m honored to call my friend..
–ME “Liz” Strauss
Related
13.3 Glenda Watson Hyatt, Learning to Write
13.2 Glenda Watson Hyatt, published author
13.1 Meet Glenda Watson Hyatt
A 4-Part Series: An Interview with the Amazing Glenda Watson.Hyatt
“I do not consider myself courageous or brave for simply living my life and following my dreams.”
Sorry Glenda, I give you way more credit than you do in this sentence. I know
hundredsthousands of people who don’t live their life nor follow their dreams, and they have no physical disabilities whatsoever.YOU, my friend, are a courageous and brave shining star, and you cannot convince me otherwise. Period.
(That goes for you, too, Liz!)
Hey Wendy,
I’m sure Glenda would agree with me. It’s not like you’re a burned-out, old ooal, Ms. SuperNova. 🙂
I know you sent me your reply via email, Liz, but I stopped by to read it again, and it still brought an emotional twinge in my eye. 🙂 Thanks, friend!
Ah Wendy, you’ve been shining all of your life. 🙂
Glenda,
I’m with Wendy on this one.
I’ve spent my adult life working with people with mental retardation, cerebral palsy, seizure disorders, and now older people both healthy and with all the ills age can bring.
Anyone who takes their life as they find it, dealing with it as it is, while continuing to dream their dreams, and keeps working toward them without giving up, is courageous. Seeing yourself as just doing what needs to be done proves the point. I’ve seen too many people with no apparent limitation let themselves be less than they are through fear or self-defeat to think any differently.
You said it, Rick! I’ll make sure that Glenda sees it too! 🙂
All I can say is, “Wow!!” What an inspiration to us all. Liz, thank you for asking such a powerful question and Glenda, thank you for sharing your spirit and wisdom!
“Look beyond what is wrong with me and see what is right. You may be pleasantly surprised. ”
Love it!!!
Be well and please keep making a difference…
Pam
Hi Pam,
Inspriation is most certainly the right word. Looking for what’s right is more a wise request; it’s s fine philosophy of life.
Liz,
Glenda mentioned something that caught my eye:
“Other peopleââ¬â¢s misperceptions and assumptions are what limit me, not my so-called disability.”
Others have already commented on Glenda’s obvious strength of character. I wanted to comment on “other people’s misperceptions and assumptions.” I have no doubt that they hinder Glenda. I also have an idea that they hinder the people that label and dismiss others so easily. They have missed out on knowing a wonderful person in Glenda, and probably so many more people in their lives.
Hi Tariq!
Welcome! That’s such a great point.
Yes we do hinder ourselves as well as those that we label I so agree. It’s the same as when as when we hold anger to someone it often hurts them less than it hurts us.
Liz,
What a wonderful analogy. It suggests the solution in a way. To me, the solution to anger and the self-destructive bitterness it produces is communication, forgiveness and ultimately letting go. It seems that the solution to labels might be similar. Openness to communication with those that are different can lead to ultimately letting go of labels and stereotypes. This can lead to real understanding and mutual respect.
What do you (Liz and readers) think?
Hi Tariq,
Openess to communication is the only way that we learn about our differnces — by meeting at the core of the matter where we agree and not a the edges where we look or think differently. We love our children. We love to breathe. We can start with thins as simple as that. 🙂
Liz,
Glenda’s answer to your question fit the bill for a powerful testimony about choosing to live rather than whine. I exerpted your question and her reply for a post on my site. An excerpt from the post, FYI:
[….] I was looking for a personal testimony about choosing to live rather than whine in the face of significant difficulty and found one in a jewel of a post about Glenda Watson Hyatt by Liz Strauss on Successful Blog. Her blog was recommended as a ââ¬Åmust readââ¬Â to me by a good friend, Robert Hruzek who writes Middle Zone Musings. Thanks Bob! You were right….
Glenda’s reply is a perfect choice. I’m glad Robert pointed it out to you. 🙂
Liz,
Thaks for writing about her. Bob actually pointed me to your blog generally. Your writing attracted me to the story about Glenda.
Oh, Tariq,
I see, well. It’s good that you got here. I’m pleased to meet you. 🙂
Glenda,
Thank you for your gracious words, but also for your inspiration.
It was my privilege to talk with you at my table. I appreciate you taking the time and making the effort to come by and grace it with your presence. You are a joy to talk with. You have courage, good character and a heart that cares for people ââ¬â a very rare combination in what I think is an increasingly fractured society. However, our society has great hope as long as people like you keep writing and spreading your message of hope, courage and commitment to good, lasting relationships.
I wish you all the best for your tour, the sale of your book, and for all of your life and endeavors.
Iââ¬â¢ll drop by on your blog as I can, and you are always welcome at The Kitchen Table. Perhaps we may even cross paths here again on Liz Strauss’ fantastic blog.
Liz,
Kudos to you for creating a wonderful place for people to learn, meet and grow. Because of this place I met you, Glenda and others who enrich my life, and I am learning from all of them. I appreciate you.
Tariq,
I saw your article. It was brilliant! I appreciate your wisdom and your generosity of sharing your insights. Thank you for your glow!
Liz,
Thank you for your kindness.