Jeremy Greenfield
Ms. Janel
Writing 101s
10/19/19
Living with the hand you were dealt
I was born with Amniotic Banding Syndrome, (ABS) a birth defect that left my hands and feet missing phalanges. I am lucky, it could be a lot worse. To summarize, the amniotic bag which held me in the womb ripped. The small strands become like rubber bands, that wrapped around my fingers and toes. Cutting off circulation, causing them to fall off, before I was even born. Due to how this works anything can be wrapped like this. My arm could have been taken, or part of my head. I’m very lucky, and once I learned about it, I never forgot it.Throughout my life I have been told to embrace my differences and to make the most of them, to not have people feel sorry, a lesson I think all people should learn.
I was always bullied in school so learning how to move on, and change my way of thinking was difficult, It seemed I was naturally born a victim. People beat me up when I was a kid. I was different, a freak, and was bullied. Sand thrown in my eyes, punches in the gut, and ostracized from groups. No one liked me because they thought I was a freak and a weirdo, and sadly being ostracized made me into a weird person. It became difficult to make friends, and I became really good at making friends due to the challenge.I made friends when I was younger despite my social and physical opposition. I became a class clown, desperate for attention and laughs.I found other people who liked the same stuff I did, and we bonded over it. I learned to be more accepting of the hand I was dealt with in life (Pun intended) and move on.
I went to a new high school where no one knew my past, and I could start fresh. I laughed and made jokes at my own expense, making people bond with me. People accepted me because I had accepted me, and allowed everyone to be in on the joke. I fully realized my gifts to walk in a room full of strangers, and leave with a room full of friends.
I’ve fully allowed myself to joke, to make friends, and to not allow my deformity to act as a wall between me and others. I now go to school, and despite my own efforts make friends. At work everyone loves me and likes to spend time with me. It’s all because I accepted myself, and did not force anyone else to change.
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