This is Ron with your Motivational Message:
On NBC’s, “The Voice,” the contestants are hidden from the view of the judges while they audition. The judges must listen and form an opinion based only on ability, and not on the outside appearance of the contestant. The judgment on each contestant is solely based on based hearing the music that radiates from the soul of each singer. It amazes me how quickly and easily we can judge others sometimes—we let our first impressions stifle our growth. I am also guilty of judging people based on my first impression. I have missed out on great people because I too, am distracted by what I see. I need to be reminded that people have more to offer than how they might appear on the outside.
I recently had an opportunity to share what my life was like as a quadriplegic to a group of undergraduates and a group of graduate students at Oregon State University. One professor, Dr. Megan McDonald, asked her students to respond to my presentation in writing, detailing how they felt when they first saw me and after I finished speaking. Following are a few of their thoughts:
“My initial reaction when I first saw Ron was I was excited to get to know him, but also very intimidated. As I started learning more it brought tears to my eyes for many aspects. I wanted to call my brother and tell him I love him, I was embarrassed for ever complaining about a “bad” day or the “struggles” I face in my life. Nothing is really that hard or bad after hearing you talk.”
“Asking us our thoughts, what we think about what you can do and what you have accomplished pushed everyone out of their comfort zone. I thought this was a very important concept to get across to everyone and to make us see that, not only do we observe and make assumptions about individuals who use wheelchairs, but that you make observations on how we perceive you.”
“When he first came in, I wasn’t really sure how to react when he was making jokes. As we got more into the talk, though, I became relaxed…I used to get upset if I had a bad workout—how dumb! I am learning to be grateful just to be able to work out. It has honestly given me a new approach, as a hypothetical new pair of glasses, to look at the world with.”
“When first seeing Ron I thought about his wheelchair and wondered what bound him to it. …It was not until you started telling stories that I stopped looking at the chair and started looking just at you.”
“When he first came into class I did feel uncomfortable just because I have never met a quadriplegic before but that feeling soon went away after we got to know him.”
Your first impression could change the course of your future. You could include or preclude any person that you meet and determine who could be in your future. If I would have followed some of my initial reactions, I would have missed out on people like Kevin and Daniel Webster Doe who were two individuals that I would have normally rolled right past. If you know my story, you know they changed the course of my life. I pray that I continue to keep my eyes, ears, and heart open to those that God brings into my life. Lord, help me to see past the surface and into the hearts of people. I hope that you and your family had a happy Thanksgiving. We enjoyed hosting 18 family members, but goodness; it was tough on my wife! Like always, though, she pulled it off and it was an awesome holiday.
To your inspiration,
Ron
As a special “thank you” for any end of the year tax deductible gift made to Never Give Up, you will receive a Kevin’s Pal at no charge.
Kevin’s Pals can also be purchased separately—these plush smiley faces make wonderful gifts for any age and celebrate Kevin’s life. Each Pal is accompanied by a card with Kevin’s picture and inspiring words about him. To purchase a Kevin’s Pal, please visit: https://www.ronheagy.com/shop-rollonron-smileys.php
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