https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=taTSxDVEHRM
Being married to someone with a disabliltiy (Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease "CMT", a mild form of muscular dystrophy) and having 2 children that could possibly have it too, this hit me.
When I first met Branch I didn't even notice anything different about him. He was just a funny boy that I liked hanging out with. It was only later when I saw him in shorts and he has skinny legs. CMT atrophies muscles, which basically means the muscles in his legs no longer get messages from the brain and no longer grow...basically. No amount of exercise will fix this. The muscles can literally no longer receive messages from the brain. Anyway, I saw his skinny legs and said something along the affect of "Your legs are as skinny as mine!" Wow, smooth and senstive right?? He was not offended thankfully, and explained to me about CMT.
One of the things I fell in love with Branch about was that he didn't let his disability define him, but instead used it to strengthen him. He has done so many things in his life that if the situation had been reversed, and it was me with CMT...well, I don't think I could have done as much as he has. He served a mission in the Philippines that required a lot of walking from him. He choose a career field in prosthetics and orthotics that means he helps people with mobility issues...move and live. He is living a full life with me and our two beautiful children.
In fact, in all the years I have ever known him to get angry was once. We had parked in a handicapped parking spot at our local grocery story in Dallas. We both got out and started walking to the store when the security guard yelled at us that we couldn't park there. We had the placard in our car. He pulled up his pant legs and should the women his braces and said "Yes, I can." Then explained to her what he had. He was angry in the car later. I think he gets tired of explaining to people sometimes, I know would. Though, just like in the video I have said, while parking close to stores and other places "We are so lucky you are disabled"...but he knows what I mean...
Here is a website for the type of AFO (ankle foot orthotic) that he wears.
I guess the reason for this post. I love seeing people that take their "weaknesses" and turn them into "strengths".
Branch is the strongest man I know.
