Finding Inspiration and Motivation From Those Who Persevere

February 3, 2020
Arielle Salomon

Norwood, New Jersey, United States

Class of 2022

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Have you ever thought about how lucky we are? How fortunate we are? Would you rise above and strive to reach your goals no matter the obstacles?  Most of us have never had the misfortune of waking up one day unable to move our legs. However, this is a reality for some. There are people who are paralyzed, and in even worse cases, have even lost limbs. Most people, in this situation, would probably just give up. 

I visit the gym very often. Almost every day. Each day, I see someone who physically stands out. This young man, in his late 20s, is not like everyone else at the gym. What makes him different is that he is missing a leg. He uses a prosthetic in its place and it clearly does not stop him from doing what he wants or from achieving his goals. After losing his leg, giving up would be the easier choice. Instead, he did not allow what most would consider a handicap stop him. He chose to use a prosthetic, live his life as per the normal. This young man chose to work even harder, and he chose to rise above his difficulties to reach his goals. This is why his story is inspiring to me and others. He does not see himself as a victim, instead, a survivor, which shows that mindset is everything. If you put your mind to something, any excuse you give is just that, an excuse. It is not about what happens to you, it is about what you do with it that matters. 

Arielle Salomon is a BBG from Greater Jersey Hudson River Region.

All views expressed on content written for The Shofar represent the opinions and thoughts of the individual authors. The author biography represents the author at the time in which they were in BBYO.

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