“You’re my new hero,” he said.

I had heard lines like this my entire life. Hanging out at a bar amongst friends, sitting in the park solo, or just waiting at a bus stop. Strangers often feel so inclined to tell me how “inspirational” I am. At this point, honestly, it just goes in one ear and out the other. People say “God bless me” when I’m riding down the street as if I’m rolling on water. I never understood it. It’s as if, to some, my existence in itself is a source for inspiration like a light socket is a source for electricity. I could never appreciate it because I never earned it.

That’s what made this time different.

This guy met me for the first time only five minutes before, but he knew me. He knew my name is Jimmy, and that I’m not just “a kid in a chair.” He knew I had driven 13 hours with my partner in crime to promote

[dis]ABLE. He knew [dis]ABLE is a brand I started to change the way the world views people with disabilities. And, most importantly, he understood why, and not just because I told him so. He understood why because he has a son with a disability who has encountered many of the same obstacles I had shared with him in just those five minutes. He understood why I am so passionate about showcasing how we can ALL disable our limits.

Experiences like this reaffirm my belief that [dis]ABLE is not only serving its purpose, but has the potential to change the lives of many. Many other disability-related causes encourage people to “hope” and “believe” as if there is something wrong or bad with having a disability- just because the limits of someone with a disability may be more visible. We can’t live life simply hoping. By sharing my story and showcasing other “disabled” individuals, I want the world to see our lives aren’t disabled at all. People of all abilities can choose to live happy, fulfilling lives… if we just disable our limits.

So while I had only spoke with this man just a few minutes, I feel proud to have inspired him. He wasn’t inspired because I’m in a wheelchair, but rather because of what I’d achieved and am working toward. Having been born to parents who believe in me and give me the confidence to achieve my goals, I know the difference he can make in his son’s life. That is a difference I can be proud of, no matter how small or big [dis]ABLE’s effect may have been.

If you’d like to join me on this journey, check out my Kickstarter and join the Movement!