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Marjorie Cortez: Life with disabilities can serve as an inspiration

Life with disabilities is a sad situation. No two ways about it.

I had a friend whose degenerative disability started when he was a young child and continued to his death in his early 40's.

He had lost the ability to walk by his teenage years and his ability to breath unassisted by the time he was in his late 20's. He was aided during this time by his single mother and younger sister who, until she also became too disabled by the same disease in her late teens, would wheel him around in a wheel chair. An electric wheel chair was eventually obtained to do the job.

By the time my friend died, he was barely able to control his wheel chair and required 24-hour care to maintain his breathing and other vital functions.

I think a lot about him and his great intelligence, with a mind that was completely alert and thus fully aware of his terribly diminished condition throughout his life. Even as he eventually suffocated during a prolonged power outage when the emergency power for the respirator and 24-hour aid both failed him.

I think about him because during all the time I knew him, he was grateful to be alive. It sometimes makes me feel very ungrateful.

I have had severe medical problems all my life and I have a son who will never understand above a three-year-old level. But he is such a joy and he is so happy - he doesn't realize he is handicapped. I attempted suicide when I was sixteen, thankfully, I failed. I would have missed the wonderful experience of raising my son, among many other wonderful experiences. My family has stated many times they are glad I failed, as well. You can never know, especially if you take the path of the person who committed suicide the effect you will have for yourself and countless others.

Having been disabled all my life with quadropledgic crebral palsy all my life and being confined to a wheelchair, I would like to add my comment. In my infancy, my parents were advised by the medical professions to put me into a institution and that I would not live beyond the age 20. Yesterday I celebrated my 74th birthday. I, with the aid of many many helpers, have obtained two advanced degrees. I worked for USPTO for 26 years having to retire early do to a work related injury My family consists of my wife of 42 years and 3 sons and 10 grandchildren. Since I retired my wife and I have served two LDS missions from our home.

Sometimes life seems to be dark and there is no hope. We should realize that there is hope and fulfillment no mater how bleak it looks. Things get better if one keeps pluging away.