Invincible: Stories of Hope and Courage by Individuals with Disabilities

By Shalini F Wickremesooriya, PhD

The book is a collection of stories that reflects the lives of disabled individuals across the globe.

Each story is narrated by a courageous individual who refused to be defined and shaped by a label or a medical diagnosis. These individuals chose life and living instead of doom and gloom. They are not international superstars but are stars nevertheless because they valiantly defied limitations imposed on them despite the odds that were stacked against them.

The stories are a gift of hope and inspiration to the countless number of individuals with disabilities.

You too can overcome!

The stories also carry a loving message to parents, caregivers, teachers, health professionals, neighbors, family and friends.

Look beyond the disability and recognize the
person who is struggling to emerge!

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: May 27, 2016
• ISBN: 9781524610531

Shalini F Wickremesooriya, PhD

Shalini F. Wickremesooriya was born in Sri Lanka. She is the mother of two grown up children. She earned her doctoral degree from the University of Sheffield UK. She is certified member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists, UK, and licensed by the Sri Lanka Medical Council. She is an independent practitioner who engages in research, clinical practice and teaching. She has extensive experience speaking at international conferences and liaising with professionals across the globe. She truly believes in knowledge sharing and makes every effort to disseminate information to varied audiences, using different platforms. She is also a firm believer that humans are lifelong learners and encourages people to evolve at every stage of their life.

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© 2016 Shalini F Wickremesooriya. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 05/26/2016

ISBN: 978-1-5246-1054-8 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5246-1052-4 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-5246-1053-1 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2016908330

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

CONTENTS

DEDICATION

PROLOGUE

SENSES ON FIRE

MOVING UP!

FOUR QUARTERS

ODD MAN OUT

TOUCHED BY A SILVER LIGHT

TWO PEAS IN A POD

I WILL CONQUER!

IN SEARCH OF FREEDOM

WHIRLWIND

FINDING PEACE

DEDICATION

For

       Udena,

                   Suchi &

                               Sanchi

You light up my world!

PROLOGUE

I was motivated to write this collection of heart opening, inspirational stories by considering the many individuals I have had the privilege of meeting and working. They are from different countries, cultures and religions; from privileged and less privileged families.

The stories are personal journeys of these courageous individuals who refused to be defined and shaped by a label or accept a medical diagnosis. They chose life and living, instead of doom and gloom. They are not international super stars, but stars nevertheless, because they valiantly defied limitations imposed on them despite the odds that were stacked against them.

They have enriched my life and humbled me. They have filled me with joy and wonder. They have given me the gift of a thankful heart; a heart that sees and is thankful for the simple, little things that are often taken for granted. I share these stories with the hope that you too will let the pebbles of hope and courage,

freely rise within you and

splash into the river of your life,

to create ripples of endless possibilities,

that explode and expand far beyond your expectations.

SENSES ON FIRE

Living in a small town, our life was simple. Every day was predictable. The highlight of the week was the family trip to church with a chance to dress up in our Sunday best. Although this idea was appealing to my two older sisters it was problematic for my brother and me. My brother hated getting into a suit. He wanted to dress like the rock stars whose music he listened to in secret. By the way, I was the only one who was privy to his dark secret, because we shared a bedroom or rather an alcove. I hated dressing up and going to church mostly because I am an ‘Asperger’s kid" or that is what everyone called me. I think they forgot that I had a pretty name. I hated the Sunday dress. Everything, from the label that scratched the back of my neck, to the fabric that felt like ants were crawling on my body, irritated me. I could not bear the screechy sounds that came out of the old church organ or the voices of the ladies in the church choir which reminded me of cats, whom I despise with a passion. My response to worship in song was to clamp my palms against my ears, close my eyes tight and rock my body from side to side. Embarrassed my mother would try to gently pry my hands away. The more she tugged, the more agitated I grew. I would then bite my lower arm and jump about screaming creating an even bigger scene.

I have a collection of sensory ‘issues’. When my senses get an overload, I crash with a bang. I am insufferable at these times, repeating actions that are unacceptable or irritating to others, in a frenzy. As a kid my parents were clueless about my disorder. I was given time off and sent into the punishing corner a million times; I am exaggerating of course! This made me go crazy and my mum crazier. She would rant and rave and tear hair off her head. Dad was my savior. He would shake his head, wink at me and carry me away. I loved it. Dad had learned long ago that arguing with mum when she was in a ‘mood’ was a losing battle. He also knew that if he held me tightly in a bear hug, I would relax and calm down faster. I know that mum and dad made it up later on, as they sat on the couch all huddled together watching a television show. The television set was donated to us by a kind neighbor when he purchased a new one for his kids for Christmas. This was perhaps the only luxury in our home. We were permitted to watch programs chosen by mum after all the school work and chores were done. She used to often say that ‘television is a necessary evil, to be indulged in occasionally’. I never really understood what she meant because she loved watching her favorite programs.

Talking of schools, I went to five different schools during my short life time. I was a puzzle; school staff could not solve. Although everyone was quick to agree that I was different they expected me to follow the herd, and to do it well. I was not given any concessions. I was supposed to fit in to their agenda. It didn’t cross their minds that they can try to fit in to my agenda as well. Am I making sense? Let me explain it a bit more clearly. These days I hear of placements and catering to special needs. These concepts were unheard of when I was going to school especially in my neck of the woods. I graduated from high school at the ripe old age of twenty years. Speak of being ancient! I was a dinosaur as my brother often reminded me. I think he got bullied for my mad cap behavior; poor kid. Even more embarrassing was my date to the graduation ball. The unfortunate guy, Simon, was considered a ‘slow learner’; as slow as a snail and older than me. Everyone who paired us up thought they were doing us a favor – that we were too thick to ‘get it’. We understood what was going on around us in our own ways, but we were also powerless to change it. What alternative did we have? We had to either go to the ball together or stay home being pitied by everyone. Mum was worried that I would go bananas with