In the last few weeks, I have had the opportunity to view life from a different seat than I'm used to. A broken ankle severely limits your mobility, but it does so much more.
The simplest things have become a challenge, such as getting through a door or narrow places. Cooking is impossible (try standing on one foot for 15 minutes) and driving my manual transmission car is forbidden.
I'm thankful that my disability is temporary, but it has raised my awareness to those who have struggles that last a lifetime. We all have things to overcome in our lives; some are temporary and some are permanent. Hopefully through those hard times, we learn lessons or change our perspective and have a greater appreciation for others who have to overcome obstacles in life.
One of the things that Senator Edward Kennedy will be remembered for is his advocacy for those who don't have a voice. Those who are starving, poor, in need of medical help, the homeless, children and the civil rights movement. He put a focused light on these things so everyone else can see them.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=112268401&sc=gaw&gclid=CN_kgZfOy5wCFURR2godFDT4Iw
One of the wonderful aspects of being a journalist is that we can show others a perspective that others may not see. We can shine a light on a problem or a concern and teach others that sometimes we DO have influence and compassion for those who obstacles to overcome.
I want you to start thinking about doing a story on someone who has overcome obstacles or someone who has shown great strength in dealing with challenges in life. Someone who is strong in their conviction that despite the fact that they may not have what others have or have to work harder than others that they are an incredible inspiration to us all. Do you know someone like that? Can you think of a story like that?
I'm not talking about someone who has just broken an ankle and has to be in a boot for 8 weeks. I'm talking about things that really bring out the strength in themselves and others. The Crazy Story is a good example. Consider this story of an autistic young man who became his high school's basketball hero.
Comment on this blog what story you have in mind. Surely you know someone who has had to overcome a challenge in life with a strength in them that would make most of us buckle. I'd like to see what kind of journalist you are. Go out there and find a great story and then tell others. Change people's perspective.
I feel really bad about that. I hope you get well soon.
ReplyDeleteBy: Chris catchings
A good story to me would be something that I have first account knowlegde about. This is why I would select my father as a candidate. Now this my seem childish, but what he has ovrcome is something politians may go through. My father left corporate America and entered a completely different realm, the realm of church or discipleship. Now through the years my father spent with the church he gained executive administrator status do to his trustworthiness in helping other individuals and the steadfastness to stay with the morals he was taught. Though a few years ago there was a fallout at the church and he was ridiculed, outcasted and shamed. That year away from the church system seem to drag for us all, but something good happened that June, the pastor was moved to a different church, the pastor became a good friend of the family during the time he spent with my father. So, we were moved along with him. My father is now over evangelism and discipleship at this church. Thae basis of this story is that even though the same people that rejected him he still stayed to help the group that turned their back on him in a time of need.
ReplyDelete- Stephen Birt
I dont think that your injury has limited u too much. You've been doing good about keeping us busy but im sure it is hard to get around on crutches. I just wanted you to know your doing great...And my brother is a perfect example of some one who has been through a lot and is trying to overcome it. I would certainly be able to make a good package about him and his struggles. We all face obsticles in our lives and what we need to realize is that the choices we make today determine the obsticles we face tommorrow.
ReplyDelete-Codey Cooper
A good story I came up with is on a kid with prostetic legs. This kid doesn't let his disability affect anything that he does though. He still plays sports as in base ball and wrestling. Even while doing that he still has the job of being a good big brother to his younger sibling.
ReplyDeleteA story that me and my group has considered doing is one on a student that attends south cobb. She is one of our cheerleaders but not quite. She goes to all the practices and cheers with the team. I saw her at a cheerleading practice and noticed how devoted she was and thought it would be a good story. Her name is Racheal and she does have some sort of disability I just don't know what it is yet. But I think this will be a good story similar to Crazy's story because it'll showcase how much school spirit she has.
ReplyDeleteIv really havent thought of doing stories like this because at times i feel like they think we might be taking them as a joke but in reality only we know how serious we are about it. Now i see another perspective of it. its so sad at times how people dont take advantage of the person they are and the advantages they have, how kids like this have to open there eyes.
ReplyDeleteMy friend had lukemia when she was 8 years old.Her parents did the best they could to destroy it,but the cancer won.It was hard on her parents,her younger and older sister.I belive her parents have A LOT of strenght,because I could never image losing a child and go on living.Her parents dealt with it the best they could and still dealt with rasing 2 other children. -Amanda
ReplyDeleteSo, I'm in love with what Codey said! I 100% agree with everything he said! As you already know since my mother was 24 i've watched her get worse and worse dealing with M.S. Sometimes I think why her, and I know she thinks the same. But I'm a strong believer that everything happenes for a reason and theres a lesson to learn in everything! I have a lot of respect for people who have to deal with problems like you and my mother, because yall decide not to just sit there and let the world pass you by! And for that i'll always have respect for people like that!
ReplyDeleteAbout a month ago my mom told me about a man she encountered who has only one leg and still does all his chores and goes on with life as if nothing was wrong with him. She was curious and asked how he managed without any help, he told her it was easy and that he did everything he used to do but with only one keg. the older man still cuts his weed-eats while cutting the grass. This man really did make me realize that life goes on. I do believe he is an inspiration to many. I think that he would be very honored to tell people his story.
ReplyDelete-Christina Wimberley
For me, coming up with story ideas is not very easy. I want to be creative with a story like this though. I want to open people's eyes and make them realize that the world doesn't end when something bad happens to you! There are lots people living and dealing with disabilities everyday. I feel like everyone should be grateful for everyday they live.
ReplyDelete- Lunna Zamarron
Matthew Blaylock, a graduating senior at Cherokee County High School dove into a pool two days before graduation. Matthew was going to go to college on a full ride scholarship for football. When he dove into the pool, he broke his neck. After many months, surgeries and lots of intensive physical therapy, he is out of the hospital. He was on a resperator for 3 months, and still can't breath on his own now. He is paralyzed from the neck down and is confined to a wheelchair. His life was taken from him in an instant. I saw Matthew twice a week, every week for the whole summer, and I still go see him as often as I can. Whenever I ask him how he is, he just tells me he is happy to be alive. Matthew has always had the most amazing smile that he showed off constantly. Even after this life changing accident, he still smiles every second. "I just keep believing I'm going to walk again. I never doubt that I wont get up on my own."
ReplyDeleteThis just shows that being disabled, not being able to function on your own, is a life changing event, but its not the end of the world. Matthew is the greatest inpsiration, he just shows constant strength and hope.
- Ashleigh Taylor <3