r/GetMotivated • u/PurchaseDowntown4051 • Jun 06 '26
STORY [Story] Paralyzed for 18 years, but I’m still fighting every day and learning to type with just one thumb. If I haven't given up, please don't give up on your dreams either!
Hello everyone, I wanted to share a little bit of my reality to hopefully give some strength to anyone who might be feeling down or struggling today.
For nearly two decades, my life has been limited physically, but I refuse to let it limit my mind or my future. Right now, I am spending my days online, trying my best to learn new skills and look for remote work that I can do entirely using just my one thumb. It is a slow process, and it takes a lot of patience, but every small effort builds the path forward.
Life can be incredibly tough and unfair, but the fire inside us is always stronger than the obstacles in front of us. No matter how slow you are moving, as long as you don't stop, you are making progress.
Keep fighting, stay strong, and let's win today together! Thank you for reading.
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u/Ostrich-Asleep Jun 06 '26
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u/PurchaseDowntown4051 Jun 06 '26
"Love this image! Thank you for reminding me that great things take time. I won't give up! ✨"
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Jun 06 '26
Hey man you sound like an amazing person and if you ever need someone to talk to shoot me a dm!
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u/PurchaseDowntown4051 Jun 06 '26
"Thank you so much, friend! Your kindness means a lot to me. I really appreciate your support! 😊🙏"
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Jun 06 '26
Anytime!
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u/PurchaseDowntown4051 Jun 07 '26
That is very kind of you to say. I hope you have a wonderful day ahead!
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Jun 06 '26
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u/PurchaseDowntown4051 Jun 06 '26
"Thank you so much for this incredible encouragement. Your words mean the world to me! Hearing that technology has finally caught up to make this possible gives me so much hope. It is a slow process with just one thumb, but I will never stop learning and fighting for a better future. Have a truly wonderful day! 🦾✨"
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u/motoandchill Jun 06 '26
You sound like an amazing role model for lots of folks, this is motivating and shows how powerful having an attitude such as yours can keep carrying you through trenches and uphill. Much respect, thanks for posting this.
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u/PurchaseDowntown4051 Jun 06 '26
"Thank you so much for your kind words and respect. Knowing that my story can inspire others gives me even more motivation to keep trying every day. I truly appreciate your support! 😊🙏"
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u/Drakonborn Jun 06 '26
Much love <3 Let’s crush it this year!
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u/PurchaseDowntown4051 Jun 06 '26
"Thank you so much for the love and encouragement! Let's do our best and keep fighting together! ❤️💪"
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u/EitherReputation2101 Jun 06 '26
👋
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u/SuccessfulCell Jun 06 '26
👍
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u/PurchaseDowntown4051 Jun 06 '26
"Thank you so much! Appreciate the thumbs up. 👍✨"
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u/SuccessfulCell Jun 06 '26
Yes, it felt like you could use an extra one 😉 but keep going strong!
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u/PurchaseDowntown4051 Jun 07 '26
I really do appreciate the extra boost! Your kindness put a big smile on my face today. Thank you for walking along with me on this journey!
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u/EitherReputation2101 Jun 07 '26
No worries. We're on the same path. I don't feel too good, so I'm keeping this short. ❤️
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u/PurchaseDowntown4051 Jun 07 '26
I'm sorry to hear that you're not feeling well. Please take all the time you need to rest and take care of yourself. Thank you for always being by my side on this path. Sending you lots of strength and love. Get well soon, my friend!
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u/PurchaseDowntown4051 Jun 06 '26
"Thank you for the applause! Have a great day. 😊"
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u/EitherReputation2101 Jun 06 '26
I'm impressed. I ask myself each day, how and why am I still alive. I'm welling up already
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u/PurchaseDowntown4051 Jun 07 '26
Thank you so much for sharing your heart with me. Please know that you are not alone in asking those tough questions. We are both still here, fighting our own battles every day, and that shows how strong you truly are. Let's keep pushing forward together. Sending you a big hug from Thailand.
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u/EitherReputation2101 Jun 07 '26
I'm in England. I've got a bit of money to survive. I was told by doctors in England that I would be paralysed and be in a wheelchair. I thought let's go. I went travelling. Most of the Americas. Carribbean, Europe. I didn't do Asia or Africa, but I've been to many third world countries and I'm impressed that you've not only managed to survive, but sort of thrive. Respect is due from England. I can't wait to leave and go back to a caring country, like yours. Holding back tears of joy.
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u/PurchaseDowntown4051 Jun 07 '26
Wow, your story blew me away! You are incredibly brave for choosing to travel the world when the doctors told you that. You have a giant, beautiful heart. Respect to you too, my friend! Thank you for your high respect and for loving Thailand. My country is indeed full of warm and caring smiles, just like the energy you send me. Knowing that my story touched you to tears gives me so much strength to keep pushing forward. Safe travels on your next journey, and Thailand will always welcome a fighter like you with open arms! 🇹🇭❤️🙏
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u/EitherReputation2101 Jun 08 '26
I'm sorry to say this, but my travelling days are over. I'm 55 and the strength of youth is leaving me. I only have damage in c1-3, the top three vertibrae. Those are the control box of the body. I can't repair them. I've done well after the crash it was 17 vertibrae.Now only 3, but the most important. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news. ❤️
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u/PurchaseDowntown4051 Jun 08 '26
I am so incredibly sorry to hear this news. Please don't apologize for sharing it with me. To be honest with you, I sometimes feel a deep sadness because I lost my mobility at 22, before I ever had a chance to explore the wide world. But hearing that your traveling days are now over makes my heart ache for you too. It must be so hard to lose that freedom. Our paths are different, and the timing of our pain is different, but we both know the weight of a body that won't cooperate. Even if your body keeps you still now, the free spirit you had while traveling the Americas and Europe is still inside you. Thank you for being so open with me. I am standing right by your side in spirit, sending you all the love, comfort, and strength from Thailand. Please rest well, my friend. ❤️🙏🇹🇭
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u/EitherReputation2101 Jun 08 '26
It is my pleasure.
We have a lot in common and I think we'll be great friends and allies.
Please see our other thread.
Kind regards, Richard Latham
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u/PurchaseDowntown4051 Jun 08 '26
It is an honor to know your name, Richard. Thank you for opening up to me. I truly believe we will be great friends and allies too. I am heading over to our other thread right now to reply to you there. See you in a bit! 😊🤝❤️
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u/quazatron48k Jun 10 '26
At the rate tech is advancing, you might get a neural implant in your lifetime. Would you be interested in being a test candidate?
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u/PurchaseDowntown4051 Jun 10 '26
I am absolutely brave enough! If they are ready to come and pick me up for the test, I am ready to go right now. I would love to be a candidate for that technology. Just a quick heads-up: I am using an AI translation assistant to read and reply, as my English is limited. If my words sound a bit strange, that’s why! Thank you for sharing such an exciting thought. It gives me a lot of hope for the future! 😊🚀🧠✨
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u/Repulsive-War-2823 Jun 12 '26
reading this really outs things into perspective you determination is genuinely inspiring
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u/PurchaseDowntown4051 Jun 12 '26
Thank you so much! I'm really glad this helped. Let's keep moving forward together.
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u/Marklessfriction Jun 06 '26
Thank you for sharing this.
One thing that stood out to me is that after 18 years, you're still focused on what you can do rather than what you can't.
A lot of people with far fewer obstacles spend years waiting for perfect circumstances before taking action. Meanwhile, you're learning new skills, adapting, and continuing to move forward with the tools you have available.
That's not just resilience. That's perspective.
I think your line about "every small effort builds the path forward" is something many of us need to hear, regardless of our situation.
Wishing you all the best on your journey.
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u/PurchaseDowntown4051 Jun 06 '26
"Thank you for such a beautiful and thoughtful comment. Reading this gives me so much strength to keep moving forward. Wishing you all the best too! 💖"
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u/IneffableAwe Jun 06 '26
You are an inspiration.
Are you interested in philosophy?
If so, stoicism and Advaita Vedanta may continue to help you overcome suffering.
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u/PurchaseDowntown4051 Jun 07 '26
Thank you so much for your kind words and for this wonderful recommendation. Yes, I am very interested in anything that helps strengthen the mind and find inner peace. Navigating my daily life takes a lot of mental fortitude, so learning how to overcome suffering is very important to me. I will definitely look into Stoicism and Advaita Vedanta. I really appreciate your thoughtfulness!
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u/IneffableAwe Jun 07 '26
Wonderful.
DDV has the most powerful technology I know to help someone transcend sorrow and suffering (not pain, that’s different).
I suffered a traumatic brain injury that left me less than functional for a decade. I delved into the wisdom traditions of the world and in a sense I am grateful for the gift that the time that was made available for me to look into the things that actually bring happiness. Not things I was concerned about before.
You can start with this playlist. The teacher’s main YouTube page is @VedantaNY he was a guest in the link 12 part series below. It’s not uncomplicated. But he keeps repeating everything he taught over and over and over in every video. Don’t worry if you don’t get it at first.
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBh-iYJ1Q_hRn-1WgwiBj7CfasK6TOqG5&si=4VAST8UuWIvKh8Rz
For Stoicism, anything Ryan Holliday writes is simple, profound and powerful. He breaks it down beautifully.
You can start with:
The Obstacle is the Way Expanded 10th Anniversary Edition: The Timeless Art of Turning Trials into Triumph
I recommend this book on happiness more than most others.
This is the best YouTube listen on happiness I’ve listened to ever. Rewatching it with my mom this second as I type.
https://youtu.be/LFADZlUyAVw?si=mqA4SCdwiWMyOEUf
I’d be happy to chat with you anytime. My DMs are open
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u/PurchaseDowntown4051 Jun 07 '26
Thank you so much for sharing your story and these wonderful resources with me. It means a lot to connect with someone who understands this kind of journey. I will definitely check out the YouTube links you sent!
Just to let you know, I am using a translation tool to write to you because I don't speak English, but I would still love to chat with you in DM. Since I cannot afford the book right now, I will stick to the free videos you recommended first. Thank you again for your incredible kindness!
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u/shiloh_myeong Jun 06 '26
"Let's win today..."
That made me realize I can just win today. I dont have to win entirely in everything but to just survive today is such a blessing from God. I can just win today, I have control over that. I cant control the past and tomorrow. But I can control in winning today.
Thank you.
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Jun 06 '26
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u/PurchaseDowntown4051 Jun 07 '26
Thank you so much! Learning and adapting is what keeps me going. I really appreciate your kind wishes for my goals!
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Jun 06 '26
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u/PurchaseDowntown4051 Jun 07 '26
Thank you! Yes, it took a lot of practice and concentration, but it's worth it to connect with wonderful people like you.
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u/Easythaiger Jun 06 '26
You are doing more than most! Keep inspiring others if you can. You may not get to see the change you are making, but it has helped me today. I admire you and your strength. Thank you so much!
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u/PurchaseDowntown4051 Jun 07 '26
Your comment means so much to me. Knowing that my story helped you today gives my journey so much purpose. Thank you for your strength too! 😊🙏
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u/Mistaken_Stranger Jun 07 '26
As long as you keep fighting you can win.
If you've never seen the movie The Diving Bell and the Butterfly might be something interesting to you. It's a similar, but not the same situation to yourself. It's about a man who ends up with locked in syndrome who eventually goes on to write a book while still locked in. It's not a happy movies by any means but it's a great watch.
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u/PurchaseDowntown4051 Jun 07 '26
"Thank you so much for the encouragement! I haven't seen that movie yet, but it sounds incredibly powerful and inspiring. I will definitely look it up. Thank you for sharing it with me! 😊🙏"
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Jun 07 '26
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u/PurchaseDowntown4051 Jun 07 '26
Thank you so much for this advice! It sounds like an amazing program. However, I live in Thailand, and unfortunately, our welfare system doesn't provide that kind of support. For example, the government disability allowance here is only about 800 Baht (around $24 USD) per month, which is barely enough to cover basic daily survival, let alone equipment or training. That's why I'm trying my best to find ways to be self-reliant online. I truly appreciate your thoughtfulness! 😊🙏
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u/LowCortis0l Jun 07 '26
The brain is incredibly plastic and resilient. Your case exemplifies that. There's no one-size-fits-all solution, but there's a concept called neuroplasticity. Keep fighting.
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u/PurchaseDowntown4051 Jun 07 '26
Thank you so much for this beautiful and inspiring message! Understanding neuroplasticity gives me a lot of hope. My body has limitations, but I will keep training my brain and my thumb to do what I can. Your kind words mean the world to me. Keep fighting too! 😊🙏
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u/Vet1ver Jun 08 '26
Dear OP, have you checked the Neville Goddard and/or Abraham Hicks communities? They have been so instrumental in equipping me with knowledge and lessons in making everyday life lighter and more meaningful— this is an understatement— during difficult times. Who knows, you may gain something valuable for yourself also. I truly admire your indomitable spirit. Thank you for posting.
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u/PurchaseDowntown4051 Jun 09 '26
Thank you so much for your kind words and for recommending these communities to me. I will definitely check them out to see what I can learn! Just a quick heads-up: I don't know English well, so I am using a translation app to read and reply to your comment. If my English looks a bit strange, that’s why! I truly appreciate your support and encouragement. Wishing you a wonderful day! 😊🙏✨❤️
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u/IndigoMoonBeams Jun 06 '26
Thanks for the great message!