Image Description: Cactucs with yellow flowers and and thorns.
Disabilities are like flowers growing in the desert; despite the arid climate, a beautiful flower blooms. It seems unlikely that such severe conditions can produce a bloom, but it does. My experience with a disability has been like that. I have been able to produce a beautiful blossom, despite the harsh conditions I had to endure, in a world not meant for me.
To grow in a desert, the flower has to endure intense heat and little water. I have felt the drought of not making progress despite the effort. How I thirsted for a drop of water, to refresh me! Even when the bloom has a dry spell, they can endure it and do not wither. I was able to sustain and did not shrivel.
Some desert flowers such as Succelence, can store water in their leaves to hold the water, to sustatin during dry periods. I have to store strategies that have worked in the past, even when it does not seem helpful.
Other types of desert blooms develop a waxy surface to protect them from the drought. My disability has often caused me to have a coating that has strengthened me. The struggle that I have faced has powered me.
Cacti also have thorns that help to protect them. They can not only ward off prey, but also provide shade from the oppressive heat. I have felt the sharp prick of thorns of feeling different, and was afraid to let others in. If they knew that I had one, I would have to feel the pain of rejection. The thorns are not seen, and I have the advantage of sharing my story. I can shade myself when others may not be receptive to hearing about my disability.
Desert flowers can endure a wide variety of severe conditions. The blooms do not wither and perish. Instead, they bloom in the most doubtful place. The conditions that I have to survive in are not ideal. The blooms have learned to adapt to not only surivive, but thrieve. So much of our world is for neurotypical people. Even though it was not ideal to flourish, I did not shrivel, I bloomed.
