My childhood may not be like the average experienced by most individuals born with Osteogenesis Imperfecta.  I was raised by a grandmother who allowed me to find my own physical limits.  She raised me on the principle that while I was physically different from most people, I should never view myself as such.  Because I was brought up on these ideals at such an early age, I rarely questioned why I could not do something.  I would climb furniture, and ride a big wheel bike and even a skateboard rarely getting hurt.  What I learned early on is that there are many ways to get to an end goal and I think that my mind was shaped in a way to find and utilize alternate routes.  Of course I did break several bones growing up.  Through those times, I learned a lot about patience, personal strength, and perseverance.  Someone may look at me and say ‘Well, you are obviously physically different.  You cannot walk, your bones are more brittle than than the average person, you are only 3′ 1″ tall’.  Those are all obvious statements but I have learned that adaptation has been the key to my perseverance on all levels of life.  Society has made a world built for the ‘average’ person.  I have no problem with this as it serves to be efficient for most.  It just means that I have had to adapt by using the tools (physical and mental) that I have to conduct my life in the way I see fit.

I understand well that my circumstances are not common.  I had many things occur in my personal life that also contributed to my personal drive and persistence.  The death of my mother when I was young and the passing of my father when I was in my early 20s taught me a much deeper lesson on life and opened me up to realize my own potential.  That being said, my everyday obstacles are, most likely, not what people may think.  My personal doubts and challenges are part of the creative mind I was born with.  On a regular basis I question:  Am I doing good work?  Can I make better records?  Am I working hard enough?  Am I a good friend?  Am I being fair and honest?  Am I helping others?  Much like most artistic minds, the things that hinder me on most occasions are internal.  These are things that affect those with and without disabilities.  All things are perspective no matter what your situation.  You have two choices, you can work with what you have and move forward or you can fight against what you have to work with.  You also have a choice to accept what society, in general, has decided a person in your situation should be or you can choose to do what you want to do with your life which just may change society’s viewpoint.  The growth of the internet and especially social media has brought a great advantage as the world has become smaller.  People are now able to see, connect, and have an opportunity to understand such a wide range of personal experiences.

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