• ANAÏS

ANAÏS

When I was just a few days old, I had a brain hemorrhage that left me with a disability affecting my entire body, especially my legs.

Today, I can go short distances with a walking frame, but I usually need a wheelchair to get around. I also have spasms that make it difficult to perform precise tasks, such as handwriting.

Besides the stress of my condition, my treatment has been challenging. I’ve had physiotherapy sessions several times a week for as long as I can remember. I had my first major surgery when I was five years old, and I’ve had three more since then. The last two procedures were particularly difficult because I was away from home for three months while I recuperated.

My family have been a big help. We laugh together, which really helps when I’m down. My mother and my sisters help me to look nice, since I can’t do this alone. I regret not being able to wear high heels. But I did manage to do it once as a child by crawling with shoes on my hands, and we all had a good laugh over that!

I try not to let my situation define me. I study languages. I swim, which helps make up for my not being able to surf or snowboard. As one of Jehovah’s Witnesses, I like to go out in the ministry to share my faith with others. It seems that people are very attentive when I speak to them.

My parents taught me early on that my condition is only temporary. Since then, I’ve built my own faith in Jehovah and his promise to end all suffering, including mine. This gives me the strength to move forward.​—Revelation 21:3, 4.

To think about: In what ways can you, like Anaïs, not let your health problem “define” you?