Never Surrender to Labels

What do you notice most about someone you know who’s been given a debilitating label?

“True understanding comes from looking beyond the labels we place upon them. (Michelle Obama)

Jason, a former tax consultant, now sought a life of ease in retirement yet rarely veered from his customary past norm requiring a well structured daily schedule. So his wife Myra, who recognized his “Obsessive Compulsion Disorder” (O.C.D.) with his mind racing around like a fluttering hummingbird, regularly managed  his eating , laundry, and shopping needs at the exact times, quantities and places he wanted. She also calmly dealt with his latest bouts of social anxiety in risk taking group situations by encouraging him to only confide “one to one” with close family and friends  in places he felt most safe.

But one exception to the heavily predictable lifestyle that Jason relished happened with the timely arrival of football season in September. For rather than absorbing himself in his self serving cocoon, Jason began to uncharacteristically  express to Myra, his sudden need to “reach out” with someone he could talk sports with.  So by sheer chance shortly after, he noticed Ben, a glum looking, elderly man waddling like  a walrus from his seated  table at an informal sports event gathering with Myra one Saturday evening. Obviously, Jason, knew nothing of this stranger’s severe Alzheimer’s diagnosis. For Ben now suffered from deep memory loss, poor balance and impaired speaking abilities        

So the moment seemed right for Jason to take a seat next to Ben at the bar soon after a video of pro football legend Dan Marino suddenly flashed  on TV screens  around the room. For their common interest in sports sparked an intensely emotional conversation between them for over an hour about various games that happened  during the old championship days of Miami Dolphins football. Myra, meanwhile, seemed to sense the importance of Ben’s  intimate contact tonight.  For upon observing both men willfully overcoming their expected communicative deficits, she soon began to cry. 

Know then that this story provides a plea of hope for those who appear burdened by society’s prejudgment and emotional trauma resulting from  serious debilitating conditions. For with the combination of free choice, the right setting, and determined effort, it’s plausible that the afflicted one can learn to refashion themselves with others in a non – disabled manner. As an added feature in this blog entry , I include a subtitled photo collection below, that reveals four notable figures who  overcame such a negative disorder label in their lifetime. 

James Earl Jones 

The booming resonance of his baritone voice blossomed for this gifted Academy Award actor in spite of his painful childhood as a shy stutterer. 

Elton John 

Being burdened by severe epileptic seizures did not deter  “Rocket Man” from finding his niche to become a superstar in the rock music industry. 

Muhammad Ali 

Feeling rejected as he fell behind in school as a disadvantaged reader because of dyslexia, future boxing great Cassius Clay (as he was then named ) gained his confidence back by transforming his body into an extraordinary model of physical fitness and subsequent boxing fame. 

Gabby Giffords

Experiencing  debilitating brain and body injuries as a result of a mass shooting  in 2011,  past Arizona/ U.S. Democrat Congresswoman Gabby Giffords endured years of challenging physical and cognitive therapy. Yet she’s now able to continue her career aspirations in partnership  with  her husband, Senator Mark Kelly as an activist in support of gun control and other political party issues at hand.