I just finished rereading a book that was meaningful to me years ago. I had forgotten all about it until a dear friend recommended OUT OF MY MIND by Sharon M. Draper. I absorbed every word of it, once again, with even deeper emotions than previously, perhaps because each decade of my life fills me with more compassion. Melody is a young lady with cerebral palsy and is unable to speak; in fact, by the end of the book, at age 11, she has never spoken a word. She is brilliant and trapped within her incredible knowledge and amazing imagination. Throughout the book, most people put her in the box of “less than” due to her inability to communicate like most. They assume and treat her as if she is unable to think, since she cannot express her thoughts and emotions. Fortunately for our heroine, others show never-ending compassion, understanding and support. Believe me, this is not a “happy ending book” because that is simply not realistic. Melody and her family will face daily challenges forever. It is, however, a book about caring about who we are where others are concerned.

Compassion is a muscle that can be built, or allowed to atrophy. When mentoring an ostomate, I never forget how important that muscle is in my ability to help. Regardless of how many times I hear similar stories, each story is different and meaningful to the person letting me into his or her world. Believe me, everyone in the ostomy world has been in need of compassion at some point in their medical history. I can never let my compassion muscle atrophy due to complacency or distraction. In fact, I know my ability to support and assist is due to the reality that so many have asked for my help, shared their stories and given me the opportunity to guide them.

As I continue to think about Melody and her countless challenges, her desire to just be “normal” and play on the playground at recess, join friends for a meal without needing to be fed by an adult, express her intelligence, I count my blessings. What is so easy for some is impossible for others. This is not about feeling sorry for those considered “handicapped.” It is about pulling on your Superpower cloak and recognizing the potential in everyone, supporting and reaching out when possible, and empowering those who want to live their best lives.

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