My faith is very important to me.  I believe miracles happen everyday, and I know theoretically I could be healed at any moment.  At present however, as well as in the foreseeable future, I am meant to use a wheelchair.  Members of my church and other people close to me understand that physical healing is not a priority of mine because they see that I am able to lead a fulfilling life regardless of my wheelchair. 

However, outside of my community I cannot count on the same understanding.  People of various faiths have tried to heal me on several occasions. Some think that I am in a wheelchair because of the things I have done wrong. Others think that I am entitled to a miracle because they see that my faith is strong. What they do not seem to realize is that my faith isn’t at all reliant on my physical capabilities. I am completely able to live out my destiny just the way I am.

I rarely feel embarrassed when people try to heal me, and I do not get mad at them because I know they mean well. They see me as disadvantaged and would like to help in some way. What bothers me about their attempts to heal me is that they are often compelled to do so because they have underestimated my abilities or assumed that I need physical healing in order to feel whole. In actuality, what makes me feel that I am just as worthwhile as anyone else is the fact that I am able to make meaningful contributions to society, despite my physical challenges. 

What the people who try to heal me need to understand is that everyone on earth is disadvantaged in some way. Even though my physical disadvantages may be more obvious than the disadvantages of some others, that doesn’t mean that I am any more desperate for a miracle.  Furthermore modern technology, such as my power wheelchair, ramps and automatic doors go a long way in minimizing my so-called disadvantages.  In a perfect world I would not have cerebral palsy, and for that matter, no able-bodied person would encounter any kind of hardship. But the world is not perfect, so be confident in who you are. 

Use the talents you have, and until next time keep on rolling in the city. 

~ Chantal