Lessons

I recently met four individuals as part of a training program. The program dealt with spinal cord injuries and part of the curriculum was to meet individuals who have suffered the injury. All these people were paralyzed from the waist down, with some ability to use their hands . It was a phenomenal experience. And this is why.

The common trait amongst all of them was that they had a very sharp sense of humor. Out of them, 3 were people who went on to get a Ph.D. The others have made themselves productive by either being motivational speakers or working at a hospice and helping other patients deal with spinal cord injury.

I was wondering what motivates these people. It is so easy to fall into depression when you suffer a permanent injury at a young age. Yet, these people have made it to the top of their professions and continue to be a source of productive work and immense inspiration to others around them.

Is it denial? Denial of the fact that they cannot ever walk and do the things someone who isn't physically challenged can do without even thinking about it? It could be. But I think denial manifests itself into a never-give-up attitude. The participants did say that being vain was a trait in their personality. The vainness propels them to fight and not accept mediocrity.

I gathered that it was the realization that one can never take anything for granted. Most of these people have achieved what they have because they have realized the importance of simple things like limb function, bladder control etc. , things we take for granted. Loss is a great teacher.

But the biggest factor I thought was that these people want to do good. They want to rise above themselves for the greater good of human kind. They have a seething desire to reduce other's suffering. Their life stories are truly motivational. These people are inspiration personified.

I take so much for granted. I complain a lot. This meeting put things into perspective for me. The only barriers are in the mind. The faster we get rid of these phantoms, the easier it will be to move forward. We have plenty to be thankful for. Importantly though, I learnt that achievement is not an end in itself. It is the motivation behind the achievement that counts.