“Whether you think you can do, or think you can’t, you are right.”

Henry Ford.

Jen Dearaujo has spina bifida and is paralysed from the waist down.

She still believes she is fortunate.

She has a loving husband, a great job and support from a host of family and friends.

Those things drive her to be an ‘I can’ type of person and that attitude pervades every day of her life

Jen had a ‘normal’ upbringing. Graduating, going to the prom and picking up diplomas.

Positive attitude

 

And it was her sister, during the early years of her life, that instilled a positive attitude which helped to create the person Jen is as an adult.

“My big sister was my biggest supporter and she has always been my cheerleader, my supporter and my biggest kick in the behind,” said Jen. “She always made me focus on what I can do and never on what I cannot do.

“There was always a part of me that thought her encouragement was a way to encourage me to do her chores for her!

“My brother also taught me to work hard and never give up.

“I am in a wheelchair and this is my life. Others may have two working legs. It’s what we have. The word disabled does not apply to me. Trust me, I am very able.

“I now have a wonderful husband and he knows that when I get that look in my eyes, and set my mind to something, I am going to do it, no matter what.

Clients are amazed

 

“The word ‘can’t’ is not in my vocabulary!

“I have a great job at a salon. Clients are amazed when they walk in and see what I am able to do. When I see one of them really watching me, I show off a little bit more to show them just how able I am!”

When Jen was asked to speak and tell her story at a TED talk in Massachusetts, her initial thoughts of getting on stage and talking in front of so many prying eyes was…’no way’!

But she said the one thing that being in a wheelchair has taught her is that… ‘I can’.

“Something inside of me told me that I could do it,” said Jen.

Motivation

 

“You, me, the person next to you, we are all the same. There are things that you can do that I cannot do – and vice versa. We are all a little able or a little disabled. The fact that I am different doesn’t mean I am less capable of having a full life. I only focus on what I can do.

“I am fortunate to have a husband, friends and family that motivate me each day. But to be truthful, that all starts from within.

“So, the next time you hear yourself saying ‘I can’t’ ask yourself, how can I?

Read more: BLOG: ‘If I am going to be paralysed, I may as well be really good at it’.

Read more: NEWS: The disabled community will be hardest hit by the energy crisis.