When discussing human diversity, we often say, “Cherish individuality.” However, the society we live in tends to simplify and organize things by assigning labels and categories. While this system may be rational, it often overlooks the depth and complexity of individuals. I carry the label of being a “person with a severe disability.” This label has been both a source of support and, at times, a source of constraint.

At the same time, I have come to accept this identity as part of my individuality. In this article, I will explore the contradiction of disliking categorization while choosing to embrace and present myself through this label. My journey, filled with conflicts and realizations, might resonate with others seeking to navigate similar complexities.

The Label of “Person with a Severe Disability”
Let’s start by understanding the significance of this label. A person with a severe disability refers to someone who has undergone a significant physical change midway through life. This label helps others instantly grasp the challenges we face and the context of our lives. However, it also risks limiting how others perceive our potential.

When I first acquired my disability, I noticed a distinct change in how people interacted with me. Words like “It must be tough for you” or “You’re doing so well” became more frequent. While well-meaning, they often left me feeling reduced to the label of “disabled” rather than being seen as a whole person. It was a lonely and, at times, painful experience.

Discomfort with Categorization and Inner Conflict
I have always felt a strong discomfort with categorization and labeling. Simplifying individuals into neat boxes often strips away their richness and uniqueness. Yet, here I am, actively using the label “person with a severe disability” in my activities. Why?

The answer isn’t straightforward. One reason is practicality—using this label allows me to share my experiences and thoughts in a way that others can easily understand. It also creates a sense of solidarity, showing others in similar situations that they are not alone.

However, this choice comes with its own conflict: am I allowing myself to be confined by the very label I criticize? I constantly wrestle with the desire to go beyond this label and express my multifaceted self.

Embracing It as Part of My Identity
Through this struggle, I’ve found an answer that works for me: viewing “person with a severe disability” as part of my individuality rather than the entirety of who I am. Accepting this label has allowed me to discover new perspectives and possibilities.

Having acquired a disability mid-life, I’ve gained far more than I’ve lost. For instance, I’ve developed greater empathy, a heightened appreciation for small joys, and a deeper understanding of the importance of living authentically. These realizations have helped me integrate “the disabled me” and “the non-disabled me” into a cohesive and unique identity.

It’s Okay to Embrace Contradictions
What’s important isn’t eliminating contradictions but learning to live with them. Life is full of contradictions. Instead of forcing everything into one coherent narrative, acknowledging these complexities can lead to a freer, richer way of living.

The label “person with a severe disability” describes part of me, but it does not define me entirely. Beyond this label, I am someone who enjoys hobbies, dreams of new possibilities, and finds joy in everyday life. These diverse aspects form the mosaic of who I am.

Cherish Your Own Individuality
To those reading this, if you ever feel confined by a label or suffocated by its implications, I encourage you to see it as “a part of your identity” rather than your whole being. While it may not define everything about you, it is undeniably a part of your story. Embracing this piece of yourself might reveal new opportunities and joys.

The term “person with a severe disability” doesn’t encompass all of who I am. Yet, through this label, I’ve connected with amazing people and experienced things I might never have otherwise. We are not bound by our labels; we can transcend them and live authentically.

Living with contradictions, learning to love and accept them as part of who I am—that is the essence of what I’ve discovered in my journey of parallel living.

If this article resonates with you, I hope it inspires reflection, conversation, and perhaps even sharing it with others. Together, we can embrace the richness of our individual lives.