I was born with a disability that progressed as I grew and aged. My loss of mobility was much greater than was ever expected. Nineteen surgical reconstructions helped slow it down a bit, but nothing could stop the eventual loss of my mobility.
I had a career I loved. My disability’s progression ended my ability to do that job (even with accommodations, which were not an available option back when this happened.) I had a master’s degree in my field, 12 years of successful experience, and had worked my way from an entry-level position to a top management position in a relatively short time.
And just like that, it was gone. I couldn’t physically do it anymore.
Losing your mobility is difficult. Losing your job at the same time (which also meant losing my health insurance, at a time when a disabled person couldn’t get health insurance outside of a workplace) was devastating.
That was over 25 years ago. I took some classes, got certified in another field that I could physically do, and began a new career. Again, it was a job I loved. And then, after 20 years in my new career, once again, a physical issue made me unable to continue at that job, or any job.
Inflammatory arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis left me almost bedridden and in so much pain. Just when I thought it couldn’t get worse, I was diagnosed with invasive cancer.
Throughout all of this, adaptability was my best ally. A bit lost without the ability to work anymore, I took the chance to write and publish a book, which had been a dream of mine since I was a teen.
When your circumstances alter your life, you really only have two options — let it destroy you or embrace adaptability.
