Through many failed attempts at being normal or the same, I’ve learnt one major thing.
Being the SAME was overrated!
As a teenager my mother said to me, “Vahen, if you didn’t have some drama in your life to contend with you’d be bored.” While I do believe I was born to be DIFFERENT,
I wanted to MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
In the process of understanding how MY DIFFERENT would allow me to MAKE A DIFFERENCE, there were times I was frustrated and confused. I often reflect back to 20 years ago, when Transverse Myelitis took my independence and nearly destroyed my life. I thought my dreams of making a difference had ended. This was NOT the DIFFERENT I had in mind.
In the midst of trying to understand the “why’s” of my different, I found this daily inspirational…
Influence – Uniquely You.
“Have you thought about all the events that led up to this moment in your life?
Like why are you here? Or what is your purpose in life?
I believe God knew exactly where you would be right now, and exactly what you would be like. He knew about your passions, your gifts, and the platform you would have. He made you to be uniquely significant, and to have an impact on the world around you.”
This was confirmation that MY DIFFERENT, would enable me to MAKE A DIFFERENCE, and I had to walk through every door to help others do the same.
In 2017, when I was crowned the first ever Miss Wheelchair Canada, and won Miss Kindness world in Poland at the Miss Wheelchair World pageant, I realized I had another opportunity to make a difference. To inspire not only people with physical disabilities, but anyone who has ever felt fearful, unworthy, or unloved.
If you ask me about my journey as a person with a disability, I’ll tell you that it’s not been easy, but I am living my dreams. I am an author and motivational speaker, with the title of first ever Miss Wheelchair Canada and going farther than I ever thought possible.
My passion to ignite hearts with hope and to make a difference, was what fueled my vision to create a non-profit charity “Going Farther.” I know there are many others like myself who are facing impossible challenges, and paralyzing fear keeps them from moving forward, and Going Farther wants to help.
Like Bean Gill, (Miss Wheelchair Canada 2018, and CO-Founder ReYu Paralysis Recovery Centre) who I am honored to be standing with, together we are EMBRACING our DIFFERENT and GOING FARTHER.
Thank you to The Congress of the Philippine Associations of Alberta, and the Filipino Journal (where this article was published) for choosing to partner with Going Farther & the Reyu Paralysis Recovery Centre. It’s supports like yours, that will help ignite, empower, and equip others to GO FARTHER!
I have embraced MY DIFFERENT and I’m GOING FARTHER.
Please partner with me to help others do the same.
Why Going Farther exist...
Ways you can partner with Going Farther to help support the mission …
- Following Going Farther on social media (See links below) and by sharing our content with your friends, or by inviting them to subscribe to www.goingfarther.org
- Invite or refer me to speak at your next school assembly or community event.
- Pray for me and the Going Farther team as we continue to step out and go farther.
- If you believe in the mission of Going Farther, and wish to help me spread the message of hope, please consider a one-time donation or becoming a monthly supporter. CLICK HERE TO SUPPORT GOING FARTHER
Partnering together to help others go farther is what Going Farther is all about. We are better together, and We CAN go FARTHER TOGETHER.
Thank you for your continued encouragement and support.
