Confidence…

As you have read lately, I’ve become more forthright with my opinion and less afraid to speak out. I tend to say what’s on my mind and don’t hold back as I’ve now realised that being open is the only way to get on in life. The old me was too conscious of what others were thinking and didn’t want to be too confrontational. I’d be worried about how my voice sounded so I just tended to stay quiet. There has not been a total transformation of my personality as I’m still shy and nervous in certain areas of my life such as meeting girls (I think will be the case forever). However, the new me won’t be messed around anymore.

The secret to my new found confidence has a lot to do with a change in mind-set. Depressing as this seems, I tell myself that everyone thinks you’re a retard so there is nothing to lose. That way, I can speak freely without worrying about what I sound like in the hope that people will realise I’m a normal person after having a conversation with me. Also, a ‘Wheelchair Boy’ speaking up would catch people by surprise because society doesn’t expect disabled people to have views, let alone be able to express them in the way I do.

Take when I visited Blue Inc last week as an example. Normally, I would have smiled at the fairly attractive girl behind the till and wheeled out without saying anything. I don’t know why. Maybe it would be me sub-consciously attempting to look good. Whatever the reason, supressing my outrage just to impress a woman is ridiculous. So, I asked to speak with the manager, which made me feel better. Even if nothing comes of the complaint, at least I know I’ve not kept the issue locked up inside.

If I had just sat back, grumbled under my breath and not followed up Southampton Guildhall about the wheelchair positioning, I would not have got complimentary tickets to see Wiley in September. I’m not saying you complain and get free stuff but just that sometimes in life, a positive can come from a negative. Of course, the main aim is to raise awareness because if people don’t know about a problem, it can’t be changed. However, you can’t live in fear of saying what’s on your mind because the result could be a good thing.

Bye for now!