Good evening, everyone. I stand here today not just as a speaker, but as someone who has been on a journey, full of questions—questions that many of you might have asked yourselves at one point or another.
One of the biggest questions we often ask is, “Why was I chosen to have a disability?” It’s a question that comes from deep within, especially during the tough times. Some may wonder if they did something wrong, or if they are being punished in some way. I understand that feeling. I’ve been there too. But here’s the truth—disabilities don’t happen because you did something wrong. Life doesn’t work like that.
Sometimes, it’s easy to feel like life is unfair when we face these challenges. But what if we look at it differently? What if we were chosen because we have the strength to handle it, even when it doesn’t feel that way? What if this is a path to achieving something greater, not just for ourselves, but for others too?
When I was younger, I asked myself these same questions. I struggled with epilepsy and being bullied. I felt like an outsider, and I often wondered, “Why me?” But over time, I started to see that having a disability didn’t mean I was less than anyone else. It didn’t mean I was broken or wrong. It simply meant that I was different—and being different can be a gift.
Maybe, just maybe, we’re given these challenges to help us grow in ways we never imagined. Perhaps we are chosen to show the world that success isn’t about being perfect; it’s about rising above the obstacles in our path. It’s about finding strength in our struggles and showing others that they can do the same.
You see, I believe that having a disability can be part of a bigger purpose. It pushes us to be more creative, more resilient, and more understanding. And through these challenges, we can inspire others. When I speak at schools and universities, I’m not there to say, “Look at my struggles.” I’m there to say, “Look at what I’ve learned from them. Look at how we can all use our own journeys to help others.”
So, did we do something wrong to deserve this? No. Were we chosen for a higher purpose? I believe so. We were chosen to show the world that even when life doesn’t go as planned, we can still achieve success. We can still find joy, love, and meaning in our lives. And most importantly, we can help others along the way.
Thank you.
