I want to be a florist, and I'm disabled. What the fuck is up with that?
So I'm 17 going on 18 and in France that means that next year I need to go to UNI, I needed to choose what I would do next year, last year and keep going this year with the same goal.
It was clear to me that I would never be able to do what I wanted because it was too physical for me; let it be working with animals, humans, be a nurse and shit, impossible because I'm a quadruple threat: I'm autistic, I got a defective immune system, chronic fatigue and chronic pain. And so, last year I started to say I wanted to be a psychologist, which I don't want to be but allowed my mother to be happy, my dad to dont care and everyone to get the fuck off my back. But this summer (amongst a lot of traumatic experiences) I fell in love with flowers. I've always loved nature and amongst the chaos that were the holidays we were on, I fell in love with their quiet stability.
So I started thinking about becoming a florist. My mother (whom I don't see anymore for other reasons) thought it was a bad idea, she supported me but she thought it was a horrible idea, because "I am disabled therefore I can't do physical jobs, i should stick with safety jobs like psychologist, we need psychologists!"
She kicked me out in october and a few weeks later I had my first internship as a florist and I fell in love with the job. I loved everything about it. I had 2 more internships since then and everytime I just got confirmation that the florists I worked with loved working with me and are willing to take me on a 12 weeks apprentice ship while I study to get a diploma in floral arts.
The job is exhausting and I have to talk to some dickheads who want to buy fancy flowers but I get so much satisfaction and peace working with the flowers, cleaning them and making art that I like that it's all worth it.
I'm also learning to listen to myself and to what I need instead of what people say I need. And I don't think I've ever been as comfy with my disability as I've been since I live with my dad and let myself wear and use the aids I need to wear and use.
Anyway, all that shit to say that; Imma be a florist, fuck you to everyone that said I couldnt be what I wanted to be and be what you want to be, listen to your body, don't force yourself and flowers are cool.
TLDR: Local disabled kid about to become a florist rambled about it because they're happy & proud