Choosing Empathy and Compassion in the Present

Living with a disability has shaped the way I see the world. Some days are filled with energy and joy, while others are heavy with pain, exhaustion, or barriers that most people never think twice about. What gets me through isn’t just resilience—it’s empathy and compassion, both from others and for myself.

What Empathy Feels Like

Empathy, to me, isn’t about someone feeling sorry for me. In fact, pity is one of the hardest things to carry—it makes me feel invisible, like my disability is all anyone can see. Real empathy is when someone meets me where I am.

It’s when a friend slows down their pace so I don’t have to rush.
It’s when someone listens to me without trying to “fix” me.
It’s when people respect my boundaries without making me explain over and over again.

In those moments, I don’t feel “other.” I feel human.

Compassion in Action

Compassion goes a step further—it’s empathy turned into kindness. I notice it in the smallest gestures: when a stranger holds a door, when a coworker checks if I need an accommodation, or when a loved one reminds me that rest isn’t weakness, it’s care.

But the most meaningful compassion I’ve felt is when people treat me as whole. My disability is a part of me, but it doesn’t define me. Compassion means seeing my value, my contributions, my humor, my creativity—all the pieces that make me who I am.

The Gift of the Present

Disability teaches me the importance of living in the present. Some days, tomorrow feels uncertain. Pain, fatigue, or accessibility challenges can change my plans in an instant. So I’ve learned to appreciate now—the laughter during a conversation, the comfort of someone’s patience, the quiet peace of being understood.

Empathy and compassion in the present mean everything to me. They remind me that even when the world feels overwhelming, connection is still possible.

A Small Request

If I could ask for one thing, it would be this: practice empathy and compassion as daily habits, not just rare acts of kindness. Put the phone down when someone is speaking. Listen without judgment. Offer patience instead of pressure.

You don’t need to fully understand my disability to treat me with dignity. You don’t need to walk my path to walk beside me.

✨ When we choose empathy and compassion in the present, we create a world where everyone—disabled or not—feels seen, valued, and loved.