I is for Inspirational
I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve been told how much I inspired someone to be better in their life. This applies to healthcare practitioners, other chronically ill people, and your average person you might see walking down the street. I appreciate the kind words, and it is nice to hear someone say something positive for a change. But to be honest, I just don’t see myself that way.
See I don’t envision myself as being that special. I do what I do because it is who I am. I’ve always been what some call a giver. Years before I even graduated high school, I joined emergency services. Not because of anything other than I wanted to help people, and I loved doing it. I was lucky enough to have a career in pre-hospital emergency medical services for many years before being diagnosed with a chronic and debilitating illness.
After my first (of many) diagnoses I promised myself I would find a way to continue helping people in spite of my illness. I became involved in a local support group for those with the same diagnosis. I began researching everything I could to not only help others but to help myself in the process. From the same early age, I was involved in volunteer emergency services in a variety of roles. All of these roles were rewarding, and I enjoyed each one in their own way. And I consider myself very lucky to have made a difference in more than one life along the way of the last few decades.
Others may see this as me being an inspiration to them. However, all I see is the fact that I have something to give, and in an effort to make sense of my own life and help others along the way, I plan to give just as long as I am capable. My ability to give has been severely hampered by physical restrictions of late, but I still have lots to give. I just don’t see how that makes me special.
I’m just another guy who is too stubborn (or stupid) to quit, lay down and die!
Has anyone ever called you an inspiration? How did it make you feel? What were your thoughts? Please share with us in the comments below! We’d love to hear from you!
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