Abnormal, mongoloid, lame…. Those are the cynicism I hear from people every time I go home. Sometimes, others mimic me and make my life funny.
I am born with Cerebral Palsy and because of this, it is difficult for me to act, to walk, to talk, and to eat. Because of my condition, I cannot do what normal people do. I felt envy and I wonder what it feels like to travel, to fall asleep on the road, to walk restlessly, to have long conversations, and to play with friends.
In my condition, I can say that my life is hopeless; but I am optimistic that I will be able to do things that I want to do even if it’s not easy to have cerebral palsy and muscle discomforts.
When I was in Elementary, it was not easy to be accepted in a school. They ask for medical records, so they can assess if I can be part of a normal school or not. Also, they wanted to make sure that I will not hurt anyone. I requested that I’d be allowed to join with normal students. I told my teachers that I will not hurt anyone. And so they allowed me to go to a regular class. In High School, a lady ridiculed why I was studying in a normal school and not in a SPED school. It was a painful experience but I continued my education. I was motivated to prove that I can finish Fourth Year High School with good grades. And so I did.
In College, it was not easy to find a school since I am different from everyone else. Many refused to accept me but with God’s help, I was able to find a school and graduated in a Vocational Course. After graduation, I applied for work in different companies, but I was always declined. I started to lose hope and got depressed. I started to asked God, “why did you do this to me?”
In 1 Corinthians 1:27 it talks about God chose the weakest of all, all of which was God’s program in my life. It was on February 22, 2013, when I surrendered my life to the true God. He changed my life and eliminated the sadness I’ve experienced. Every day He gives me pleasure and hope which I have not seen anywhere else in this world but only in Him. It is wonderful to know that God will not leave and will not neglect me despite the trials that came to my life. I thought that life is destined to die. I’m grateful to God because he’s using me in the ministry. My situation is difficult, but I am committed to Him because I believe in his promise that all things are possible for the one who believes. I once wanted to do things my way but now it is replaced by my intention is to serve God faithfully. Even when I have persecution, it does not matter to me. I am grateful to God because he has allowed me to have this disability so that I can recognize Him, and He has been my source of courage to face any trials. I do not understand the things that are happening to me but I know that time will come when I will understand everything. He is not yet finished in working on my life.
Bro. Glenn Santos is an active member of CCSGM. He is serving the Lord every Sunday, 7:30am in our Sound Booth.
