I am dedicating this post to Doug Forbis - I had the TV on a few days ago and came across a story on this boy (now 24 years old). He was born with sacral agenesis. Very simplistically, it is a condition that doesn't let your spine grow properly. He was born with useless legs, so the doctors suggested that they be amputated in order to fit them with prosthetics at a later time and to teach him to move without being hindered by them.
His legs were amputated at the age of 2. When you look at him, it looks like his body ends below his hips. Most of us, in his condition would have given up on life, would've asked for death or wallowed in self-pity. This guy, though has a fantastic sense of humor, is positive like most of us aren't on our best days and simply breezes through challenges like they are dominoes that can toppled with one's fingertips.
He refused prosthetics and taught himself to live a full life with his amputated legs. He plays wheelchair basketball, participates in track events, counsels other children with disabilities and is now getting his Master's degree in special education so he can eventually become a coach. He's engaged to be married and is sure he wants kids biological or adopted.
Why is it that most of us with everything going for us whine and complain and make ourselves miserable over the trivial problems we have I'm not going to spare myself either, I'm the biggest whiner there is. Yet, people who have so much lesser find happiness and strength to plough through incredible challenge? Does our appetite for life and happiness decrease with the number of advantages we are given? Or is it that we have an overwhelming sense of entitlement "the world owes me so much more" syndrome?
Every time I think of being snotty and complaining, I'm going to look back and make an attitude adjustment. Doug Forbis hates to be called an inspiration but he's okay with the title of a role model. So, that's what he's going to be to me a fantastic, fricking role model. Go Doug!!
