ART BY:
 therainbowtroll

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You never know how, or when, your life can be turned upside-down. It is during these times that stereotypes can flood our minds with all sorts of negative thoughts. Such feelings often lead to depression and/or anxiety. However, with the love and support of friends and family, we can all cope with whatever life throws our way while rising above generalized expectations.


It's amazing how easily one can fall victim to self-fulfilling prophecies. Sadly, it's even easier to completely not realize how much one can allow their self-esteem, self-determination, and self-confidence fall to the wayside as a result of traumatic, life changing events.


Fortunately, with an open mind and self-dedication, we can find the good in our respective situations to positively contribute to friends, family, and society in general.


Sometimes we need a "Trigger" to begin our journey to self-acceptance. For me, it was "Silly Filly Studio's" animation, Snowdrop that did that for me. It was after watching this animation that I finally embraced my condition, what it would eventually lead to, and how it wasn't what defined me as an individual. If you haven't seen it yet, I highly recommend doing so. The link is below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=do6RDSwaWek

Long-to-the-short is how Snowdrop not only is the main character, but a non-stereotypical individual who is blind. She experiences emotions that come with being "Different" than the other kids in her class that, as in real-life, come as a result of stereotypical ignorance towards having a disability, special need, or limitation.


However, Snowdrop goes against the negative stigmas of having a disability by showing how the love and support of her mother, Primrose, can build self-confidence and determination. This is what results in Snowdrop not only owning her limitations, but showing how she is more than her condition to those who have yet to see past her blindness.


For me, I use my character, Yosh, to cope with my limitations. He shares a lot of my personality, but is not blind. He is often portrayed as a toddler as, while growing up in "Small town USA", I found discrimination, stereotypes, and stigmas appear to negatively impact you and the world around you with the passage of time. It is an unfortunate truth, but one I'm glad I can use my creativity to remain positive no matter how difficult it is for an individual with a disability to find acceptance, understanding, empowerment, and a sense of belonging in a world that is sadly undereducated in what those with special needs are capable of.


This is why I'm proud of how I was able to advocate through Coping with Limitations Through Pony. For three years, I lead a team of amazing individuals who aided in presenting before an international crowd at "BronyCon" in Baltimore, Maryland. Turnouts were beyond expectations with a very diverse audience that was not entirely indivudals with disabilities.


I also managed to use my talents to make partnerships with various, disability rights advocates and organizations to send helpful content to those who were not able to attend the convention while also donating motivational products to a local area school.


The most important thing to remember is that YOU" own your condition. People can say, or think, what they want. However, if they choose to see only the condition they are missing out on all the wonderful talents and personality only you can bring as an individual. Let you be the judge of you. Never let the uneducated assumptions of others define what you are and are capable of.