I was introduced to disability from birth. As a result, I never thought anything about it. It seemed just as "normal" to me as any other difference between people: hair color, eye color, skin color, height, etc.
Half a Leg
My grandfather on my father's side used crutches.
When my dad's family lived in California, before my parents even met, their car broke down on the side of the road. As my grandfather was at the back of the car, another car lost control and rear-ended his car. I think he fell asleep at the wheel. My grandfather tried to jump away, but one leg did not make it completely out of harms way - so he lost his leg from the knee down.
I was never close to my grandmother on my father's side - not sure why. She seemed so cold, we never felt comfortable with her.
Maybe she was just overly concerned with us not messing up her house, or maybe she never got over not liking my mom, or maybe she did not like kids, or maybe she just did not know how to show affection. Who knows.
But my grandfather was such a nice and happy man.
We used to sit in his lap. He would hug us, tell us jokes, and share stories. I remember him always smiling and laughing.
Half a Leg
My grandfather on my father's side used crutches.
When my dad's family lived in California, before my parents even met, their car broke down on the side of the road. As my grandfather was at the back of the car, another car lost control and rear-ended his car. I think he fell asleep at the wheel. My grandfather tried to jump away, but one leg did not make it completely out of harms way - so he lost his leg from the knee down.
I was never close to my grandmother on my father's side - not sure why. She seemed so cold, we never felt comfortable with her.
Maybe she was just overly concerned with us not messing up her house, or maybe she never got over not liking my mom, or maybe she did not like kids, or maybe she just did not know how to show affection. Who knows.
But my grandfather was such a nice and happy man.
We used to sit in his lap. He would hug us, tell us jokes, and share stories. I remember him always smiling and laughing.