#overcomingbarriers

Meet George, a man from Iran who worked hard to succeed despite leaving school early. His story shows that with determination and learning, anyone can overcome language barriers. Let's use AI to help everyone access valuable information in their language.

‘For those trying to find their voice in a world where they have to speak louder, just so they can be heard’ – Ilana Estelle

When I found out I had cerebral palsy, I wanted to do something positive for the first time. I needed to get to grips with and explore my disability for the first time. It wasn’t a decision taken lightly, but it was necessary if at the age of 46 I was going to learn about my disability, learn about myself. I went from nothing to something with The CP Diary blog, and for the first time I was able to identify with my disability and my experiences.

Writing a book to get to know me, to understand my disability meant I would have my voice heard. It was important I come face to face with my disability, and for the first time. As a child with no voice, if writing a book meant me being able to come face to face with my disability, then it’s something I needed to do. I am sure anyone in my circumstances would have done the same thing.

But honesty requires us to be brave, for us to turn our lessons into universal truths and that is what I have done. People will always have opinions on other people’s writing, but an author needs to be true to themselves. They need to be comfortable, they need to understand their life.

Finding my voice, having a voice for the first time, has finally given me the freedom to choose. However hard or uncomfortable your journey is for others, it’s your journey. You must choose what is right for you. It is important for us to have people in our lives who care and who will listen, and who don’t stand in judgment.

Truthfully, I am relieved. Being able to choose, I am proud of what I have achieved, what I have been able to accomplish, what I needed to do for myself, to find the true me, without having to go to the grave without. Through my book I show you how.

My blog and my book is dedicated to all those who have yet to have their voices heard. That through my words that it happens for you too.

For anyone wishing to buy my book, it is available in a bookstores online and it is also available on Amazon – amzn.to/2qrpiy8 UK or http://amzn.to/2WPE2Vy US.

Thank god for the people in my life because seriously I wouldn't be where I am right now. For the friends, teachers, my parents & coaches who have pushed to get help in order to be more successful with school & to better myself...I couldn't be anymore grateful for those wonderful people. At first I was so against getting helped because I always thought to myself that I am never the one who gets help, but these past of couple of weeks I have seen a huge difference in myself. I have been thinking more postively than usual, and just making that progress is a huge step for me. I just can't believe how much I have transformed from the beginning of the semester to now. It's a good thing, because my friends and couselor have noticed a huge difference in me, which is such a great compliment. I'm just so happy not to be in that negative world I was once was in. It just took some pushing through friends in order to get the help I needed, and I will be forever grateful. I have learned so much about myself within these past couple of weeks, both positive and negative. The main thing, or good thing...that has come from this big change is my positive thinking and just trying to take one day at a time. It feels good to finally start getting my school life in order, considering I was so depressed, overwhemlemed and agitated because I just keep failing at everything. Now because I have gotten the help I needed, it helps a whole lot and I know it will better me in the end (next semester), so I am able to walk across that stage for the very last time in my life. That day will be the biggest accomplishment thus far, graduating and earning that Bachelor's Degree.