Perspective Of A Girl Who Has A "Disability": Part 2 | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

Perspective Of A Girl Who Has A "Disability": Part 2

The light at the end of the cave

6
Perspective Of A Girl Who Has A "Disability": Part 2

Budapest: an incredibly invigorating city that leaves you speechless. This magnificent region of Eastern Europe is balanced with eye-opening history and extraordinary fun. It's the place you go to when you don't want to grow up -- millennial Disneyland, if you will. No one ever wants to really leave, though. I met three 20-somethings from New Zealand and their next destination, Transylvania (lol), was delayed by two weeks because they were captivated by the fascination Budapest had to offer.

As a part of my study abroad adventures, my friend and I decided to travel to a unique city where we decided on Budapest. During our visit, we explored through the underground caves used in the thick of WWII. Before our caving experience, we were given these ridiculous suits fit to dress a miner digging for gold. Our outfit wasn't complete without a hard helmet and a bright flashlight strapped to it. We were greeted by a large-sized door that was definitely not proportional to what was waiting for us inside. What a tease.

As the group entered the cave, we all walked inside bending our knees and tilting our heads forward in order to fit. The guide led us through the cave, explaining the history behind this underground treasure. She navigated us even further, expecting us to climb through a dark, miniature hole.

To my surprise, we were forced to mount slippery muddy rocks, slide underneath low stones, and crawl through narrow tunnels. We had to contort our bodies in strange forms to successfully maneuver ourselves.

Now, as this being part 2 of my "disability" articles, (see part 1: https://www.theodysseyonline.com/the-perspective-girl-who-has-disability-part-1), I was scared to death when I realized this excursion wasn't just a walk in the park. Seeing that the others within the group were struggling a bit, a sense of panic ran through me.

In my first article, I explained the first time I understood about my "disability" at five years old, how my fine motor skills and muscular strength on my left side are delayed and depleted caused by a stroke at birth. Fifteen years later, I was challenged with this new experience. At first I tried to conquer this cave with both hands. Physically, it was almost impossible for me to do that. My left side is naturally shorter than my right. If I were to grab onto a rock with my right hand, my left struggled to follow, making me off balance and causing near-death experiences into a black hole even deeper beneath the cave. So, instead, my left side assisted my right hand -- along with the help of the tour guide and the rest of the group.

I felt weak, hurting from the multiple cuts and bruises I sustained. However, something miraculous happened. Halfway through, we had to climb up this narrow, slippery hill made up of mud-covered rocks. Somehow, a burst of energy shot up my spine. I felt invincible at that moment, huffing and puffing my way up while quietly repeating the words "you can do this." I was high on determination and persistence, purely focusing on the trail in front of me. It was a feeling I wasn't familiar with until that moment, but I felt unstoppable. After three hours underneath Hungary, I accomplished something that I never thought I was able to do.

The cave in Budapest is essentially a metaphor for life. We enter life blindly, as there is not much we can see before it begins. Even though some choices we make result in failure and struggle, there is ultimately a light at the end of the tunnel following the obstacles we overcome.

I consider this obstacle a true victory, an experience I will always look back on when I need some confidence and drive. Find your "cave" that keeps you going.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
girl
Pexels

In case you're unaware, "resting bitch face" is the term used to describe when a person's natural, expressionless face makes it look like they are mad at the world. Whether they are walking down the street or simply spacing out thinking about what to eat for dinner, it's very easy for others to assume that this person is either upset or mad at them. Because of this, those of us with Resting Bitch Face (RBF), and especially us women, have all experienced many of the same situations and conversations, including:

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

The Stages Of A Crush As Told By The Cast of "Bob's Burgers"

We all go through certain stages when we have a crush, Tina just explains it better.

1089
my heart just pooped its pants
Google

We've all had a crush before. Whether it leads to something or nothing, the process has all been the same. The awkward feelings, the stalking, and the stress of trying to keep this huge secret. The feeling of becoming a total spazz is something that cannot be avoided, and the most spazzy family that can relate to this feeling is the Belcher's.

Keep Reading...Show less
you didnt come this far to only come this far lighted text
Photo by Drew Beamer on Unsplash

At the tender age of 18, we are bestowed with the title of “adult.” For 17 years, we live under the rules and guidelines of our parents, school, and government, and to stray from any of those rules or guidelines marks us as a rebel. At 18, though, we must choose which college we want to go to or what career we want. We are allowed and encouraged to vote. We can buy lottery tickets and cigarettes. We can drop out of school, leave our household, and do other "adult" things. At 18, we start down a path of thinking for ourselves, when for the entirety of our lives other institutions have been mandated to think and do for us.

Keep Reading...Show less
university
University of Nebraska at Omaha

Creating your schedule for the upcoming semester can be an exciting process. You have the control to decide if you want to have class two-days a week or five-days a week. You get to check things off of your requirement checklist. It's an opportunity for a fresh start with new classes (which you tell yourself you'll never skip.) This process, which always starts out so optimistic, can get frustrating really quickly. Here are 25 thoughts you have when registering for classes.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

10 Thoughts Of A 5th Year Senior

What about those of us who don't do it all in four years?

1949
college shirt
pointsincase.com

"College will be the best four years of your life" is a phrase that we have all heard growing up. College is painted as a magical place to us while we are in high school. A place you go to learn, meet your best friends and probably have the time of your life while all of this is going down. Four whirlwind years, where everything that you've known changes and you start to learn what it means to live on your own, have a job, etc. But what about those of us who don't do this all in four years? Major changes, hard courses, switching schools, career paths changing, these are just a handful of factors that could extend your four years to five, six or seven. There is nothing wrong with taking extra time to graduate, but returning as a fifth-year is a little different. Most of your best friends have most likely graduated and moved and while you may be one of the oldest undergraduates on campus, you might feel as awkward as a freshmen. A world that became home and comfortable to you is still there but it's slightly different than you've known it to be and you have to find a groove to fall into. These are thoughts you'll have as you look ahead to returning to your college campus, with a victory lap planned.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments