Against The Grain

Remi’s life hadn’t been the easiest. He’d gone against the grain as time went on. To the behest of the majority of the people he knew. Their ignorance and bigotry spoke for them. Religious beliefs didn’t help. People who never practiced what they preached. People who didn’t love others for who they are. Remi no longer cared what they thought. Or the comments they’d so often make. He was going to live his life his way. Happily. He let his actions speak for him. Others had already done the same after all. He’d gone against the grain for a reason. 

He’d spoken out against injustices after he moved to South Florida. He’d become a Public Speaker and Activist. It wasn’t something he was entirely comfortable doing. It was worth it in his eyes. He was leaving people thinking far more than he ever had before. He went against Societal Norms and standards by simply being himself. By pointing things out others didn’t often think about. He’d often use his own experiences to drive various points home. That people are going to judge you regardless of whatever decisions you make. So why not live life happily and let actions speak louder. 

“Thank you for sharing your story. It opened my eyes to just how hard Disabled people have it in this country” Quinn said during a Question and Answer session
“That’s why I share my story. To share the harsh realities people don’t often realize until after they talk to Disabled people” Remi answered 
I’m Disabled as well. I share my story all the time as well for the same reasons as you” Riley chimed in
Thank you for sharing some of your experience Riley. You sharing your story helps people you encounter even when you don’t realize it” Remi replied 

Remi talked about his Disabilities. How people judged him for living life in whatever way that looked like for him. A life that looked far different than most. His life overall was filled with losing people on top of his Disabilities. A month-long reprieve in Miami Beach was a Requiem. To grieve those who’d gone onto their next adventure. To heal his severely broken heart. To also find new ways to live his life as a Disabled person. He’d sit on the beach at sunrise and sunset reflecting on his past. Several epiphanies he had led him on a different path. 

He’d gone about his life far differently than before. He’d gone down a different road leading him to a healthier life. One where he had far more energy than he’d ever had before. He’d found better ways to help his body through the various ailments he’d sometimes suffer through. His seizures being the worst out of everything. It was taking him longer to recover after each one. He’d found ways to prevent them. People were left thinking about their beliefs toward Disabled people and their respective lives after speaking to him. People who believed the propaganda about Disabled people.

“I’m so proud of you” Hayden smiled
“Thanks. I’m happy my campaign is going the way it is” Remi replied
“I am also. The reviews are great” Emery chimed in
“I don’t want to see them. Not yet anyway. I want to wait until the end of the tour before I read them” Remi smiled
“That’s going to be A TON of reading for you” Emery laughed
“It’s a good thing I love to read” Remi laughed
“Yeah. It may take you a while though” Hayden giggled
“I’ll have nothing but time after the tour” Remi cackled

Remi often pointed out misinformation. Misinformation spread by ignorant people who didn’t understand the perspective of Disabled people. Misinformation made by people who didn’t know any Disabled people. Who’d not once interacted with any Disabled people either. People with no right to make decisions that would negatively impact Disabled people. It’d leave people thinking about what they’d been told about Disabled people. Portrayals they’d seen that may not be true. He’d share his own experiences as a Disabled person. The discrimination he’d face. The struggles he went through. Commonalities he shared with other Disabled people in one way or another. 

He’d gone against the grain. For good reason. He wanted people to see life from his perspective. How hard life could be for someone like him. How employers could get around blatant discrimination. Why he’d begun speaking out. Why he’d become a Public Speaker and Activist. Why he shared his story. His experiences. The injustice he faced. The injustices Disabled people faced. He wanted equal access for everyone. Disabled or not. He hadn’t realized the impact he’d made on others. The reviews he read helped him see just how impacted others were by him simply sharing his story. Reviews that gave him hope.