While life isn’t a race, we still need to run

I recently stumbled upon a thought-provoking post by “Typical Pinoy Crap” (TPC), a well-known Filipino digital creator who shares insightful views about social issues. The post commented on a line from a song by the all-girl Filipino pop group BINI, titled “Karera” (“Race”). The line is “Huwag magalala buhay ay ‘di karera,” meaning “Don’t worry, life isn’t a race.”

TPC’s reply caught my attention: “Yes, life isn’t a race. But just because you’re not racing doesn’t mean you should walk when you have the capacity to run.”

He elaborated that while life isn’t about constant competition, it’s crucial that we push ourselves to our full potential. He emphasized that comfort zones can be traps and that while rest is essential, we should keep going when we regain our strength.

This resonates deeply with my husband, Jared, and me, as a couple with physical and mental health conditions. (He has severe hemophilia B, while I was diagnosed with bipolar II disorder and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.) While it’s important for persons with disabilities (PWDs) to pace ourselves and prioritize self-care, it’s equally important to find a balance that avoids becoming too comfortable while still allowing for the setting and achieving of personal goals.

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Setting goals with disabilities

Having a disability doesn’t mean we should abandon our aspirations. Some PWDs may feel overwhelmed by societal barriers and view them as insurmountable. While this mindset is understandable, it must also be challenged to encourage action and goal-setting. While the obstacles are real, they aren’t necessarily permanent or unbeatable. With appropriate coping strategies, it’s possible to work around them.

Many young people enter adulthood with dreams and goals and are driven to carry on through hardships. For PWDs, achieving these goals can be harder because of additional challenges related to various conditions. Despite the obstacles, it’s crucial to set goals and work toward them because it provides meaning and fulfillment in one’s life. That, in turn, leads to a more satisfying and enriched life.

Jared firmly believes in the vast potential of PWDs. People with disabilities often have a high adversity quotient, which is the ability to overcome obstacles and persist through challenges. This resilience translates into a strong work ethic, patience, and perseverance. These qualities are valuable in any setting, including the workplace.

Challenging societal (and personal) barriers

Jared doesn’t shy away from challenges. He embraces them wholeheartedly, believing that it’s healthy to test his boundaries. People never truly know their physical and mental limits until they push them. This mindset has led him to achieve things that others might deem impossible for someone with severe hemophilia and epilepsy, such as being a team leader and high achiever at work, running various businesses, and pursuing his passions, such as food preparation.

Jared is also athletic and participates in swimming and weightlifting. He believes that with the right precautions and mindset, people with hemophilia can engage in activities that have traditionally been considered off limits. Similarly, there’s no one-size-fits-all guide for which sports a person with hemophilia can or cannot play. The considerations are highly individual, depending on the condition of a person’s body and access to hemophilia treatment.

Society often underestimates the capabilities of PWDs, but that shouldn’t deter us from striving to meet our goals. Just because others say we can’t do something doesn’t mean we should accept the limitations they impose. By challenging societal perceptions and our own personal limits, we can achieve remarkable things and attain personal fulfillment.

While it’s essential to recognize that life isn’t a race, it’s equally important not to settle for a leisurely walk when we have the capacity to run (even if it means going at a high speed in a wheelchair or skipping along with a pair of crutches). Embracing our full potential, setting goals, and breaking barriers allows us to lead fulfilling lives.

Rest is crucial, but so is the drive to push forward when we’re ready. After all, life’s challenges are what make the journey worthwhile.

Note: Hemophilia News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Hemophilia News Today or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to hemophilia.