Defying the Odds

What is your greatest fear? For me, it’s losing vision. Although we’re quite advanced now, it scares me to death thinking I would only see darkness all the time.

Most likely, blindness would limit what you can do and what you can achieve. You wouldn’t enjoy life that much. What would happen to you, your future?

Despite of that, there’s a long list of achievers who are visually impaired. To name a few there’s Stevie Wonder (Music), also deaf Helen Keller (Literature), Marla Runyan (Olympic Runner), Louis Braille (Educator/inventor), Thomas Pryor Gore (US Senator), Erik Weihenmayer (world class athlete) and Olegario "Ollie" Cantos, a blind Filipino who was the advisor to President Bush on disability issues from the Department of Justice.

Actually, all of our body parts are necessary as created by our master. For some reasons, there are born with physical challenges.

On January, Jessica Cox is in the country to inspire Filipinos to do more than what she has done. She also paid a courtesy call in Malacanang.

A Filipino-American, Cox was born without arms but can do anything. She become the first person to be certified to fly an airplane using feet, drives cars, plays piano, martial arts (black belter), had a degree in psychology from the University of Arizona and now a recognized motivational speaker. Jessica holds the distinction of being the first woman pilot in aviation history to fly with her feet.

How did she do that? She admits it was not easy, Jessica said she is guided by her favorite words of wisdom: “Never let fear get in the way of our opportunity.”

Also in the picture is the world famous Manny Pacquiao. We all know he started from humble beginnings and look where he is now. A billionaire and considered as the greatest Filipino athlete. He tried and won.

It is normal that there are times we have doubts in ourselves. If we could do certain things or if we could pass the test. All of us face challenges or problems some time. It depends on how we deal with it and respond to the situation. There’s a time we get afraid but for me, it’s advisable to move on and do something. It’s a cliché but praying and asking for discernment matters. Faith is an important ingredient to overcome things. Many have said to think out of the box, be open-minded and always stay positive. That would keep you going and continue the fight.

Reference: http://globalnation.inquirer.net/diaspora/diaspora/view/20090302-191847/Look-ma-no-hands