Postscript: I wrote this article last night as part of a submission to the Youth and Philanthropy Initiative Canada (YPI) program, so that the nonprofit organization that maintains my building Strive Living Society could be considered for a $5000 grant. I consider my life an ongoing success story. Schools and students involved in the YPI program are looking for stories to help combat negative stereotypes.I have decided to share this writing here as well in the hopes it inspires all who read it and please do feel free to comment.- Patrick
(All links open in a new window.)
I have spastic Cerebral Palsy, am 60 years old, use an electric wheelchair to get around and I let nothing stop me :-). A geek and a nerd. Most definitely, curious by design.
Here's my success story, and why success keeps on coming at Freedom Place. It is my sincerest wish that it inspires people and perhaps allows them to see success where they have not seen it before.
My life is an ongoing success, because I do not define accomplishments in narrow terms, and thus I'm able to gather up all of the small successes in daily life into an ongoing positive achievement. Do not misunderstand me, this is not some new age flowery sugarcoated outlook. Challenges exist, and indeed they are necessary. Without them people would not discover truly new avenues and ways of doing things. I understand this and it is a big part of my success.
When I first arrived at Freedom Place, after having some time to look around and absorb the environment, I was personally a little terrified because I understood that it would be very easy to slip into a routine where pretty much everything was comfortable and taken care of. To me that meant stagnation. So I reconnected with a volunteer group, The Vancouver Community Network (VCN) on Hastings in Vancouver and arranged to travel twice a week to the office to do some volunteering. I am a computer and electronics geek and VCN deals with refurbishing computers and assisting low income and destitute people to have access to the Internet.
Some see me as a little extreme because I don't use handy dart unless absolutely necessary, I prefer to use my wheelchair to travel down to the Skytrain in to Vancouver and then to the office. It reminds me that it is important to be independent and stay connected with community as a whole.
Therefore, the secret to my success, is seeing the opportunities which exist for everyone rather than trying to package success into a predetermined shape. The tenants and staff at my home Freedom Place are Groovy and eccentric in their own ways, they help me and I help them. I have learned a lot in the past 18 months or so and that adds to success.
I am very thankful that I am not "normal" because that would've limited the opportunities to look at things differently. If you see someone, who appears to be different, introduce yourself to them, even if it feels a little funny. New ideas may be waiting right around the corner for you, and ideas can lead to success.
This is my ongoing success story.
Sincerely Patrick Clark, tenant at Freedom Place.
(All links open in a new window.)
 |
| Photo of myself, January 8, 2020. |
Here's my success story, and why success keeps on coming at Freedom Place. It is my sincerest wish that it inspires people and perhaps allows them to see success where they have not seen it before.
My life is an ongoing success, because I do not define accomplishments in narrow terms, and thus I'm able to gather up all of the small successes in daily life into an ongoing positive achievement. Do not misunderstand me, this is not some new age flowery sugarcoated outlook. Challenges exist, and indeed they are necessary. Without them people would not discover truly new avenues and ways of doing things. I understand this and it is a big part of my success.
When I first arrived at Freedom Place, after having some time to look around and absorb the environment, I was personally a little terrified because I understood that it would be very easy to slip into a routine where pretty much everything was comfortable and taken care of. To me that meant stagnation. So I reconnected with a volunteer group, The Vancouver Community Network (VCN) on Hastings in Vancouver and arranged to travel twice a week to the office to do some volunteering. I am a computer and electronics geek and VCN deals with refurbishing computers and assisting low income and destitute people to have access to the Internet.
- VCN does many other socially responsible things in addition to those mentioned. All to empower people via the use of technology in innovative ways. It is my honour to be involved with such a great group of people and the organization as a whole.
Some see me as a little extreme because I don't use handy dart unless absolutely necessary, I prefer to use my wheelchair to travel down to the Skytrain in to Vancouver and then to the office. It reminds me that it is important to be independent and stay connected with community as a whole.
Therefore, the secret to my success, is seeing the opportunities which exist for everyone rather than trying to package success into a predetermined shape. The tenants and staff at my home Freedom Place are Groovy and eccentric in their own ways, they help me and I help them. I have learned a lot in the past 18 months or so and that adds to success.
I am very thankful that I am not "normal" because that would've limited the opportunities to look at things differently. If you see someone, who appears to be different, introduce yourself to them, even if it feels a little funny. New ideas may be waiting right around the corner for you, and ideas can lead to success.
This is my ongoing success story.
Sincerely Patrick Clark, tenant at Freedom Place.
No comments:
Post a Comment