My Disabilities Do Not Define My Life
By Robin J. Titterington
By Robin J. Titterington
I was born with spina bifida (think Baby Noor!) When I was 19, I
became deafened from an antibiotic given to save my life from severe
kidney infections. When I was 33, my kidneys failed and I began
dialysis. I had a transplant and have been on dialysis for nine years. I
am not eligible for another transplant due to my worsening scoliosis.
Yet I hesitate to submit my story.
Why? Because my disabilities do not define my life. Our culture is
such that if you do not look like people in magazines and in movies, it
is assumed you have a sad life. I am a Christian, a woman, a sister, an
aunt, mom to my pets "the fabulous furries," a devout Braves fan, and a
tree-hugger. I can think of many more adjectives before I would arrive
at “person with a disability.”
My life is not so different from other single women: I graduated from college (with honors), I hold a Master’s degree from New York University, I am a certified public manager, and I have 20 years of full-time work experience in rehabilitation administration. I own my house (which I share with the fabulous furries), I drive my car. I have traveled to most of the 50 states, Mexico, Canada and Austria. In fact, during both trips to Austria I received dialysis treatments.
Why do I feel I have a happy, satisfied and peaceful life? No doubt most of it is due to my faith. I know I am never alone. That is not to say I never have a bad day, but knowing I am not alone and that I am loved by my Lord gets me through the rough times. I am a sister in the Daughter of the King lay order and my sisters are wonderful spiritual role models. I feel challenged by learning from them to continue to grow in faith.
Of course, none of this would be possible without my parents. Sadly, they both passed away when I was relatively young, my mom died when I was 14, my dad when I was 24. I am now 51 and grew up in a time when expectations were not high for someone with a severe disability. Yet there was never a question that I might not go to college, just like my older brothers did. I am sure they must have had to fight a lot to get treatments and education for me but their expectations of me were high. (And my family laughs a lot too!) We are now on the second generation of “Give me a ride, Aunt Robin!” I hate to brag but I have been told I am more fun than Six Flags!
Lastly, there are my friends. Some are close by in location, some are not, but all are close by in thought and prayer. I have a group on my email listing of “earth angels” and one email to that group and I know I am lifted in prayer by many.
My life is not so different from other single women: I graduated from college (with honors), I hold a Master’s degree from New York University, I am a certified public manager, and I have 20 years of full-time work experience in rehabilitation administration. I own my house (which I share with the fabulous furries), I drive my car. I have traveled to most of the 50 states, Mexico, Canada and Austria. In fact, during both trips to Austria I received dialysis treatments.
Why do I feel I have a happy, satisfied and peaceful life? No doubt most of it is due to my faith. I know I am never alone. That is not to say I never have a bad day, but knowing I am not alone and that I am loved by my Lord gets me through the rough times. I am a sister in the Daughter of the King lay order and my sisters are wonderful spiritual role models. I feel challenged by learning from them to continue to grow in faith.
Of course, none of this would be possible without my parents. Sadly, they both passed away when I was relatively young, my mom died when I was 14, my dad when I was 24. I am now 51 and grew up in a time when expectations were not high for someone with a severe disability. Yet there was never a question that I might not go to college, just like my older brothers did. I am sure they must have had to fight a lot to get treatments and education for me but their expectations of me were high. (And my family laughs a lot too!) We are now on the second generation of “Give me a ride, Aunt Robin!” I hate to brag but I have been told I am more fun than Six Flags!
Lastly, there are my friends. Some are close by in location, some are not, but all are close by in thought and prayer. I have a group on my email listing of “earth angels” and one email to that group and I know I am lifted in prayer by many.
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