40 years with Dystonia, a lesson in Gratitude

One of the biggest lessons Dystonia and being disabled has ever taught me was a sense of gratitude. One thing about my resilience is that because of who I am, I never thought why me but was always grateful for what I did have. When I was 12 and got diagnosed, I developed writer's cramp in my right hand. Instead of being angry or depressed, I was thankful that I had a left hand and decided it was time to learn how to write with my left hand. This was one of the lessons I learned very early on: be thankful for what you have.

I have always been grateful that I had parents who were always supportive of my dreams and never ever priced our health care needs. For that I am eternally thankful. Growing up with the investment in health and wellness has always been something that has been ingrained in my DNA. Taking care of my health, disabled or not, always goes first. The fancy purse or luxury trip is going to be second.

I am thankful for my support ecosystem. Friends who have been there for me since day 1. Who saw me for me beyond the funny walk or as someone in business school once referred to my gait as my swag. Or the friends that called my handicapped placard as being a VIP, thus wanting to drive with me. Or the friends that created a spreadsheet when I was having brain surgery when my mom needed a break from the caretaking role. Or the friends that brought me coconut oil for my hair to regrow or the Flintstones vitamins for me to recover quicker. Or the friends that brought me tacos and Chris Rock on a DVD after that unexpected battery change. Or the friends that say write the book Carrie, your story needs to be heard. But really, for anyone that ever held the door open for me or for anyone that walked a little slower to be at my side, those small acts of kindness created huge ripples of gratitude in my heart.

So in this week of Thanksgiving, I am so grateful for the people that I have surrounded myself with that have made me even stronger with Dystonia. And as lesson number one of living with a disease for 40 years: be thankful for the good and the bad days. Without the bad, you never will appreciate the good.

Living with Dystonia for four decades has given me a perspective that I wouldn't trade for anything. It's taught me to find joy in the smallest victories and to recognize that strength isn't about never struggling, it's about choosing gratitude even when things get hard. My journey has been filled with incredible people who have loved me, supported me, and walked beside me, sometimes literally at a slower pace. And for that, I am forever grateful. So as we celebrate this Thanksgiving, I hope we all take a moment to appreciate not just the easy days but the tough ones too, because they're the ones that remind us how lucky we are to have what we have and who we have. Here's to gratitude, resilience, and the beautiful life that comes from embracing both.