KosAbility is a community diary series posted at 5 PM ET every Sunday by volunteer diarists. This is a gathering place for people who are living with disabilities, who love someone with a disability, or who want to know more about the issues surrounding this topic. There are two parts to each diary. First, a volunteer diarist will offer their specific knowledge and insight about a topic they know intimately. Then, readers are invited to comment on what they've read and/or ask general questions about disabilities, share something they've learned, tell bad jokes, post photos, or rage about the unfairness of their situation. Our only rule is to be kind; trolls will be spayed or neutered
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Some of you may have been following my list about what CP has taught me, and, while I'm no longer sure that there are actually 39 that are equally worth writing about, I'm not ready to pack in after only ten.
24. This one was probably going to be slightly different when I imagined this list, because I like to keep things lighter or more upbeat when I can, but, being faced with it again this very morning just shows me it's an old tape I still listen to. CP has taught me that I am not really a valuable part of things. Because it never occurred to me that postmodernista would be worried when she didn't hear from me about the diary in front of you today. Because it was just me and my dumb list. Even though I know it's bad for the community to have unfilled scheduled slots, I just don't think of myself as a member of anything, because I'm used to hovering around the edges.Also, able-bodied people generally think it is miraculous when I can do anything, so I must confess that, in the past I got a lot of credit for, in retrospect, half-assed efforts. I don't do it as much now, but it is a bad habit.
23. The amount that you care about something is more reflected by what you do, then by how much you agonize and worry.
I still get caught up in this now, from time to time, but it doesn't make me deep or sensitive to wallow, to make myself nauseous from not eating or exhausted from lack of sleep. Better to make a small start at something I feel good about than hate myself because I can't fix everything, right now.
22. Sometimes things "everybody" likes are boring. Also, weird people are fun.
21. I guess this is more a lesson I wish I could take to heart than one I already have, but your friend having happiness doesn't mean there's less for you.