The Olympics & Others That Deserve Gold Medals

 Dear Fishes, 

       The Olympics are upon us and it's hard not to be inspired by the outstanding athletic prowess of the many athletes. Hearing the stories of how Olympians struggled with their sport and how they persevered in the face of adversity is inspirational; do we also give credence to those who are suffering on an Olympic level with disabilities? Society gives pity to those who have chronic illnesses and debilitating disabilities, but shouldn't those individuals be seen for more than they are? I think so. 

      Those who suffer chronic illnesses and other disabilities should be given gold medals for sticking with life despite the hell that they've been called to bare. Our society praises those who have bodies that are working in their prime and gives pity and sorrow to those who are fighting every single day of their life to live. It isn't glamorous having serious illnesses, thus why people don't feel inclined to give credence to those that suffer. Yes, there are those that have disabilities that succeed with life at rates unheard of, but those are not the standard. Those that struggle on a daily basis with living deserve accolades for sticking around. I don't get gold medals for dealing with the many hells that M.S. (multiple sclerosis) causes. I live each day because I believe there is something better to wait for and that I have a testimony in Jesus Christ and that He wants me to live my best life in spite of having huge setbacks from health. Many think I look fine, but they don't see what I deal with on a daily basis, nor do they see physically what I've had to endure for the last twenty-four years. 

      I have a friend who is in a wheelchair permanently that had brain tumors. Her first surgery with getting the tumors out of her brain didn't cause any lasting effects, but the second time she had them, she couldn't walk anymore after surgery. She lives with a super pubic catheter and is in excruciating pain all of the time from it, along with not being able to walk. She is also constantly getting UTI's from the catheter. Her quality of life is terrible, but still she presses onward and I think she deserves a gold medal for having to go through what she goes through, but there aren't people covering her daily successes and what she deals with. 

     Our society idolizes those with superhuman strength and endurance. We, as a society, notice those that look pretty, have exceptional wealth, and can do things that most others can't. While I can appreciate the skill level and dedication that Olympians have to be at to participate in the Olympics, there are others out there who deserve gold medals for living and should be noticed more even if they're at nursing homes trying to stay alive in the midst of dealing with unspeakable hells. I admire my friend and I've told her that she deserves a gold medal as well for her endurance and long-suffering. 

       The Paralympics are a step in the right direction for giving those with disabilities the chance to showcase what they can do despite their disadvantages, but what about those who are in debilitating pain and that look "fine" but aren't? Where's their moment to shine? Or is it meant for those individuals to keep quiet and suffer needlessly? I do believe that God will right the wrongs of this life and make up the difference with those who have had unfairness in their lives--that's what I'm holding out for, otherwise, I would have committed suicide a long time ago with what I've had to suffer. I think the biggest thing is that people should be kind regardless. 


See ya in the sea anemone, 


B. 

       

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