While watching the news the other day I came across an amazing story of two young people that have beat the odds. Aimee Copeland, a 24 year old, recent graduate of the University of West Georgia had decided to go zip lining with friends just last summer. While zip lining the line broke and she fell into the river, where she caught a flesh eating bacteria. In order to save her life, doctors had to amputate both of her feet, one leg, and both hands. On Saturday February 23, 2013 Aimee Copeland met Kyle Maynard at a Gala in Gwinnett County. Kyle Maynard was born a Congenital Amputee; he had been born without most of his arms and legs. These two were dealt unbelievable hands; most would be discouraged. Kyle Maynard on the other hand did not let his handicap become his disability. Just last week he accomplished his goal of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in 10 days. Not only did he bear crawl his way to the top, but he chose the most difficult route to get there.

Many times we look at our life and ask why me? Why must I face these financial problems, health issues, or relationship struggles? The question we should be asking ourselves is why not me. Why can’t we take the hand we were dealt, put on a poker face, and come out on top? For the majority of us the only disabilities we possess are mental. We have told ourselves too many times that we cannot overcome adversity, and therefore we tend to believe this is so. Kyle Maynard said something that will forever stick with me. He said “Don’t sit back and idly accept the fact that circumstances are what they are, Go and do something.” The next time you wake up feeling sorry for yourself don’t. Remember somebody always has it worst than you and, a setback is a setup for a comeback.

Author Melissa Brown