It’s There

Because Josh doesn’t have a physical disability, sometimes people meeting him for the first time don’t realize that he is working over-time to present the way he does. His gentle nature is genuine, his intelligence is obvious, his sarcasm is on point (sometimes), and his diagnosis is invisible…at first. But just because you don’t see it, doesn’t mean it’s not there.

I’m not suggesting that you look for a disability in Josh or anyone else. What I am suggesting is that we often make judgements about someone that we don’t know, based on what we think we know, or what we think we’re seeing.

Here’s an example – I was parked in a handicapped space because after 3 major back surgeries, my mom needed it. She had been issued one of those handicapped placards that gets hung from the mirror. I had pushed her in her wheelchair into the store and had to go back out to the car. A lady started yelling at me that I don’t look handicapped! So, I yelled back, “which one of me are you talking to”? She got uncomfortable…and shut up.

Josh doesn’t make those kinds of judgements.  He values people for how they are, as they are, right in front of him, at each moment.  Sometimes, he says out loud the things the rest of us might not dare say.  I think that’s cool…even when it’s uncomfortable!

I have some amazing people in my life.  Josh is one of them. And he might just be the most authentic person I know.  Some days his diagnosis is loud and intrusive, and some days it’s quieted and subdued, so, the Josh you meet might be a bit different day to day. Regardless of his state of being…he sees you, he will be kind to you, he values you.

I think all people have that kind of grace within them. Sometimes it gets buried pretty deep. But just because you don’t see it, doesn’t mean it’s not there.

Listen to the Podcast: JHA024: Getting To Know You | http://www.sonyaking.com/jha024-getting-to-know-you