Perfectly Imperfect Cripples
Perfectly Imperfect Cripples
We are all cripples; or we all cripple ourselves in one way or another. It may not be as obvious as those who are in a wheelchair or those who live with any host of diseases that deform the body, but nevertheless we all have issues. Some may battle serious diseases such as depression or anorexia, while others battle more obscure diseases like narcissism, kleptomania, or social ineptitude. More than those who would admit it have addictions to sex, drugs, or alcohol. As we battle our own issues, our attention tends to turn inward and we don’t realize that others suffer as well. Empathy allows us to understand that every single one of us struggles in some way. Compassion allows us to realize that nobody can get through life alone. If we allow empathy and compassion to guide our actions then we can free each other from our individual struggles.
In 1986, Nancy Mairs wrote “On Being a Cripple” about her intimate relationship with Multiple Sclerosis. It details her stages of emotions and of coping with such a debilitating disease. She shares how she deals with life every day, how she sees herself, and how others see and treat her. Even though I don’t have MS, I couldn’t help but think of the similarities between her battle with the disease and my own problems or those of all the other people I know.
Mairs sets the stage of her story by relating a humorous anecdote about her finishing up in the restroom one day and, after a moment of distraction about writing her essay, loses her balance and falls backwards onto the toilet to become stuck like a beetle on its back. Due to her limited use of limbs because of MS, she flailed and floundered around a bit before finally righting herself – all the while laughing about her predicament (Mairs 244). Mairs’ introduction to her story is unique, and quickly diffuses what might be considered a tragic subject about a degenerative disease with no cure. Throughout her writing she couples her sense of humor
We are all cripples; or we all cripple ourselves in one way or another. It may not be as obvious as those who are in a wheelchair or those who live with any host of diseases that deform the body, but nevertheless we all have issues. Some may battle serious diseases such as depression or anorexia, while others battle more obscure diseases like narcissism, kleptomania, or social ineptitude. More than those who would admit it have addictions to sex, drugs, or alcohol. As we battle our own issues, our attention tends to turn inward and we don’t realize that others suffer as well. Empathy allows us to understand that every single one of us struggles in some way. Compassion allows us to realize that nobody can get through life alone. If we allow empathy and compassion to guide our actions then we can free each other from our individual struggles.
In 1986, Nancy Mairs wrote “On Being a Cripple” about her intimate relationship with Multiple Sclerosis. It details her stages of emotions and of coping with such a debilitating disease. She shares how she deals with life every day, how she sees herself, and how others see and treat her. Even though I don’t have MS, I couldn’t help but think of the similarities between her battle with the disease and my own problems or those of all the other people I know.
Mairs sets the stage of her story by relating a humorous anecdote about her finishing up in the restroom one day and, after a moment of distraction about writing her essay, loses her balance and falls backwards onto the toilet to become stuck like a beetle on its back. Due to her limited use of limbs because of MS, she flailed and floundered around a bit before finally righting herself – all the while laughing about her predicament (Mairs 244). Mairs’ introduction to her story is unique, and quickly diffuses what might be considered a tragic subject about a degenerative disease with no cure. Throughout her writing she couples her sense of humor
Cited: Mairs, Nancy. "On Being a Cripple" 50 Essays: A Portable Anthology, 3rd ed. Ed. Samuel Cohen. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2011. 244-256. Print.