"The Difficult is that which can be done immediately; the impossible that which takes a little longer." ~George Santayana~
Difficult and Impossible used to be just words to me before contracting my Stiff Person Syndrome and diabetes combo. Never did I associate these words with simplistic things like walking, putting on shoes, just standing. Difficult and Impossible have morphed into words I struggle to live by...Challenge and Overcome.
Dealing with a stratification of physical complications, I dislike the word "ill" as I do not perceive myself as sick. I have disabling conditions mystified by the rarity of SPS. Life is a daily challenge.
My last month has been an aggressive agenda for me, taxing strength and pushing limits. I have had a couple days of self-inflicted bed rest. I was thinking to myself, "Why don't you stop? This is insane."
The answer came to me as quickly as I asked myself the question; because the agenda was difficult, not impossible. Memory flashed a couple of pictures in my mind: laying immovable on the bathroom floor, completely rigid and in intense full-body spasm, and an incident of a torso-spasm precipitating a respiratory arrest, sinking to the kitchen floor in a blackout. In those situations, effort was impossible. Difficult is a struggling challenge.
I chose to run the race. Sweat, pounding of hooves, kicking up dust...the Kentucky Derby. Worthwhile effort is an accomplishment, a winner's circle moment for me...a "Run For The Roses."
Artist: Dan Fogelberg
Song: Run For The Roses
...And it's something unknown
That drives you and carries you home.
And it's run for the roses
As fast as you can
Your fate is delivered
Your moment's at hand
It's the chance of a lifetime
In a lifetime of chance
And it's high time you joined in the dance
It's high time you joined in the dance.
NORD is coordinating the observance of Rare Disease Day in the U.S. on February 28, 2009.
Copyright © 2009
