In this article you will read a true story of a good friends struggle with disability, not knowing how to feel, and coming to accept the cards he'd been dealt. I've only met this man almost a year ago and he truly is his own character. It is inspiring to see someone who can laugh in the face of negativity and continue living his best life the best way he knows how…

When I was a senior in high school, I was sitting in a class called, Peer Leadership. We were doing an exercise where all the desks were broken up into three sections facing the whiteboard. Right side of the class was agreed, middle section was on the fence, left side was disagreed. The question that was posed to the class by another student asked, "Do you think that women would be good in a presidential role?" As everyone was scurrying around to get to the section they agreed with, I stayed cozy right in the middle section. When everyone calmed down, I was the first one to be called on to explain my reasoning. I stated "I believe that having a woman president, we might not be in certain situations, like wars, that should happen. Also, they might have different opinions on how to solve certain problems." My teacher then looked at me and said, "Let's not go to the middle section as the first person to give a response."

That was four years ago. Many things have happened since that point in my life, but my mindset has not changed. July 11, 2017, I was diagnosed with Spastic Paraplegia. This means that certain muscles in my body will tighten and stay that way. When I was diagnosed I only asked two questions. First question was, "If I have a child will he or she have the same disability?" The doctor answered, "Yes, it is a genetic disease." My second question was, "Am I going to be in a wheelchair?" The doctor answered, "Yes, but it is not certain. Some people do end up in a wheelchair and some stay the way they are right now."

Almost a year later, I now walk with a cane and leg braces. When I am at school on campus, I use a scooter to get around. Whenever I talk to new people they ask how they can help me get from point a to point b. I understand that people are just trying to be nice, but I was born into a family where giving up was never an option. Every new person I meet is usually very surprised by my attitude about me being disabled. I use comedy to make people feel more comfortable with me being around. The reason I do that is not just to make things comfortable, but because I look at both sides of the situation. One side, I can be sad that I am disabled, or I can be happy and move on with my life because I am still able to live and experience life.

When I look at being disabled, I don't see it as a bad thing, though, yes there are negative things about it. I understand that I will never probably run again and play sports the way I use to. I am okay with that, I have accepted I will not be the next Derek Jeter. There are some perks to being disabled though! One, I get great parking and I get a scooter to drive around on. Plus, I get to prove to myself and to everyone I meet that I am better than their perceptions of me.

As I am now okay with being disabled, I did sit on the fence and look at both sides of the situation. I have come to the conclusion that everyone has a war no one else knows about, but my war is just noticeable. Words I choose to live by, "If you get hit, get back up and move on."

-Conor Holtz

Those words could not be truer. We all go through so much on the inside and it takes a toll on our lives. I know that everyone can think of a time when they were stuck in the middle of something, having the frustration of not knowing what to do, and finally coming to realize that everything is in your hands and you can't allow your emotions to run your life. When these things happen there are a few things you have to do. One, you have to allow yourself time to hurt and feel all of the negative emotions. You have to know when it's time for you to let them go. You have to take a step back from the situation and look at it from various angles. After going through it and understanding the situation, you'll know what you must do to get yourself back on track.

Doing these things will help you get through whatever you're going through quicker and more efficiently. Take your time, everyone heals at a different rate. Don't be too hard on yourself. You will make it out soon. Pain is temporary, internally and externally. Just trust and believe in yourself.