by Derrick Tuff
Have you ever told yourself that you’re not good enough because of your disability? I have, and the weight of that thought is heavy. We don’t challenge it because we convince ourselves it’s just being honest. But this kind of self-talk isn’t the truth. It negatively impacts our lives.
I remember applying for a volunteer coordinator role at Youth Futures. I almost didn’t apply, thinking no one would hire someone who’s DeafBlind and uses a wheelchair to manage people. But five years of constant rejection by employers can make you desperate for a job, so I applied anyway. I was shocked when they called to schedule an interview.
I didn’t know how I’d navigate the interview, but I made it work using voice dictation and Apple Notes. It was awkward and imperfect. But the interviewers were patient, and the conversation went better than I expected. For the first time in a long time, I started to believe I belonged. Weeks later, I got the job. That opportunity changed everything in my life.
We hear a lot about negative self-talk during Mental Health Awareness Month but rarely recognize its power. The words we speak about ourselves shape how we show up in the world. I may not walk, see, or hear like others, but I am smart and capable. My disability doesn’t define my worth. This mindset carries me forward now. It empowers me to resiliently pursue my goals. And I know it can empower you too.
Your disability is a part of you; it does not define you. Speak life over yourself. Choose words that reaffirm your potential and strength. Because when you change your words, you change your life.