1.29.2013

I Define Me

I was captivated by this brief advertisement (1:07 mins) I have seen while surfing the net. I thought that you might find the content intriguing like how I initially felt.


Disabled... Yes, we see them everywhere: on the road, at the mall, in school campuses, etc. Some may be walking with a guide, others with an assistive orthoses such as a wheelchair or a cane while limping through the destination they are treading; while a few could be deformed all over or would talk with a slur.

Sad to say, a common scenario that may have a negative connotation to the word, "disabled" are those we frequently see on the thoroughfares begging and making it their way of living.

When I was younger, the sight of any disabled person we saw on the road while my friends and I were in the school bus was the source of our ridicule! We stared, gawked, mocked and even laughed to our heart's content. Yes, I was guilty and like you, I too wondered for the reasons behind the disability, the life prior to the injury and the many how's the injured is coping with the lofty issues prevalent.

Would you pause for a moment please? Does anyone give you the pleasure of having the feeling of being inferior over them? Deep down your heart, did you ever feel "disabled" because of a skill you lack, the demise of a significant other, a failed relationship or a horrible episode in your past?

Tell me what you have in mind. What defines you?


Video source

42 comments:

  1. Wow, that is so powerful. You are so special!! I like the new look of your blog!!

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  2. My Dearest Farida,

    congratulation for your blog new look.So pretty.
    Disable just not only physically in my point of view.
    I always feel disable even to defeat my weakness.I love seeing people disable in positive way rather than normal persons physically. From their sufferance they could earn the paradise more than us normal person.
    Be happy that you are being chosen to offer your sufferance to 'Him'' for other people.
    I admire you my dearest friend
    love

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  3. Great video, will have to share this, thanks Farida!

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  4. I am disabled from polio as a child. I do not define myself at all...I am just me...Dee. That is how others see me after the first hello.

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  5. People treat me differently since I had my stroke, it is really hurtful. But, I choose to let my Father God define me.

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  6. I am physically abled in all aspects but have very low esteem and do feel 'disabled' in so many ways. My mantra this year though is to feel good about myself and be proud of what I can do.

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  7. Gosh that sure is something to think about! Good one.

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  8. The word "disabled" is sometimes misleading. You see people with so-called disabilities and yet, they are quite able and capable to function in their own capacity. And then there are people who seem not to be lacking anything physically, yet they are complete wrecks inside.

    What defines me is my relationship with God. How close or how far I am from Him determines what I can and cannot do, who I am and who I'm not. It doesn't really bother me much what other people think. We are all flawed and I have come to the point where I stop pleasing everyone.

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  9. first i like your blog's new theme and title, so clean and cool
    i like the ad, it has a forceful impact, the message is clear do not discriminate people - i fight for any form of discrimination - sexual, racial, ethnic and religious

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  10. People can disable you through unkind words and gossip. Aileen is right. I dont have to please everybody and as long as I trust myself, no word can ever put me down

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  11. I used to feel inferior before because I always feel insecure with myself. Yes, I may not have disabilities but I have felt that way. But through God's grace and motivations, I have worked it out. Everything has a purpose and I know disability has too. Thank you for sharing this Ms. Farida!

    Mommy Maye
    www.momaye.com

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  12. This is a great eye-opener to those who look down PWD. I am sor tof guilty about this too. Sometimes, you will realized that they are luckier than than those having normal body. They are more humane than others.

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  13. Disability comes in two forms physical and mental. Sometimes people don't realise that they are disable and don't seek to do the best that they can.

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  14. being disable is not a choice so people should not judge them.. they should be treated right.. :)

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  15. Yes, that's the attitude! :D Definitely, at some points in my life, I felt disabled, incapable. But I overcome, and I define me!

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  16. nice video, i have seen a lot of disable people but they enable to do what they need to do so I don't we can call them disable.. disable for me are those who are doing nothing..

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  17. I love the video Farida, Being disable is not by choice so I felt bad to those people, After watching MMK's episode I learned things, Sometimes I felt disable if things goo bad and I felt like I can't do anything. Thanks for sharing !

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  18. such a powerful post, farida. loved the video too.

    many disabled people have a huge amount to offer irrespective of their disability.
    thanks for sharing.

    wish you a nice weekend.

    big hugs.

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  19. Great video Farida! Continue to be an inspiration to many. By the way, I love the new look of your blog! :)

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  20. We are able or disabled, for that matter, if we think so. The ad has strong, lingering message.

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  21. inspiring video; the lesson: don't judge a person

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  22. Great video! Very inspiring and uplifting! I agree with Aileen, The word "disable" is relative. It depends on what angle you see it.

    We are considered disable only if we think, we are. It's all in the mind. What;s the purpose of having yourself complete if you lose your soul?

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  23. i was really moved with the video. I realized that being disabled does not mean the weakest in the sight of our society, but the bravest people in the world. they overcome the ridicule from people who doesn't understand what their going through.

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  24. Last night, I was thinking about the topic of underrating oneself especially for young people. Many times, I always feel so blessed that I shouldn't ask for more...When do I feel disabled?... I would feel "disabled" if something really bad happens to anyone in my family, and I couldn't do more to help him/her/them!

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  25. How depressing the adjectives were!!! I felt for the word VULNERABLE!... BUT I LIKE BEST, "I DEFINE ME!"

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  26. Wow! This has given me something to think of. Specially about myself. I may not be physically handicapped but I am guilty of not using all my senses in the best of its abilities. I fail to thank God that I was born complete and it's something to be rejoiced upon. Yet, I tell this to my children to share their talents with no reservations and limit. I guess, it's about time that I should ponder of what I must share to the world. Thank you Farida. :-)

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  27. Sometimes, those that are physically handicapped are actually the ones capable and can do things better than the one who are physically able yet uncapable.

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  28. the ad has a really huge impact. I also think that I am disable myself but I guess it's all in the power of the mind.

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  29. Since having slipped disc, i had been to the mall pushed on a wheel chair. I was thinking of it like a social experiment, to see if anyone would look at me or treat me differently, specially in the stores. Pero wala naman, I didn't feel any different. Pero iba pa rin nga siguro talaga.

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  30. Others cannot make us feel inferior without our consent. Knowledge is really power, without these powerful inspirations, we lose our way most of the time :) keep them coming!

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  31. Very inspiring and a great reminder that we must stay alert to the ways we contribute to -isms in our world... TY for this one.
    Eliz

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  32. I don't see those people (mostly the guys) begging on the street as disabled but lazy. Being disabled doesn't mean you're not capable of doing anything, as long as you have the will and the hope to move on with your life you can do anything even when your physically handicapped.

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  33. Maybe I should show this to my dad, who has not been able to use his right hand since his stroke 7 years ago. Thank you for sharing!

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  34. If we cannot ignore what others think of us, then we are letting other people define us. I've never really thought of what defines me. Hmmm... I would say that my relationships with God, my family, my friends, the people I care about defines me.

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  35. First of all, congrats at the new blog theme or look. And about the video, it is really something that made me think a lot of things.

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  36. hello farida! love to see another blog in its simplest look! :-)

    your post suddenly reminded me of this guy from college who walks on cruthches but doesnt mind going up the stairs to his class at the 4th floor.... i think he graduated with a laude... :-) we all have our own disabilities... it may not be physical, but yeah i think we all lack something in some aspects.... and it is our obligation to help ourselves overcome that disability whatever that might be... :-) this is such a nice post farida

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  37. lovely post as always. What is mind heart and mind and what I put out in this world defines who I am. My actions, deeds and thoughts are powerful.

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  38. i dont think any disability should define anyone at all. we are all capable of doing something great. it all depends on our attitude and how we deal with life and our experiences.

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  39. A good and provoking video. I lost much strength and length of one leg from my stroke. I need a cane. I am very slow, but I keep on going. I don't know how others perceive me. I keep moving forward.

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  40. I don't define me - What you see is what you get - I am what I am! I work with in a developmental preschool where I see all kinds of disabilities and those little kids, I'm telling ya, they amaze me continually!

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  41. {new follower from GFC...thanks for following me as well} As a former Special Education teacher, I can't express how amazing, how sweet and how lovable my students were (over the years I taught k-12). It is a sad society that sees them for their appearance on not the love they give. They don't know that they are "normal" (I hate saying that word...hope you know what I mean) they just love everyone not matter who they are. Love that video...may need to share it too.

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