Join me as I share My Becker Muscular Dystrophy Story!

My name is Brad, a Canadian blogger and author living with Becker Muscular Dystrophy. Join me as I share my story openly and honestly in an effort to help raise awareness and understanding not only of Becker Muscular Dystrophy but about the issues those with disabilities face

My Beckers Story originally launched in 2009 and features stories from my childhood and teens all the way into my early forties living with BMD. It also features blog posts about adapting to the challenges posed by living with a rare disease. So please join me on my journey through life and living with Becker Muscular as I hold nothing back by sharing every victory and defeat while providing a few tips along the way.

I would also like to encourage you to check out my self-published book entitled Fighting Towards Victory - now available on Amazon. A book where I take a deeper look into my life and growing up with Becker Muscular Dystrophy.

If you are looking to learn more about Becker Muscular Dystrophy, dealing with a recent diagnosis or simply aim to find ways to overcome the challenges of life you will certainly benefit from reading a story about facing life's challenges head on and the ability to never give up no matter what comes your way. After all, a life lived with Becker Muscular Dystrophy can be challenging at times. Though that is not all I shed light on in this book as I also share the many ups and downs in life I have faced such as surviving childhood bullying to later in life suffering some devastating losses.

To order a copy of Fighting Towards Victory please visit

linktr.ee/fightingtowardsvictory

My main motivation behind my book Fighting Towards Victory is to help make a difference by raising awareness and understanding not only of Becker Muscular Dystrophy but our ability to overcome the challenges of life. So no matter what you are facing in life, always keep fighting towards victory. Even if sometimes that victory is just making it through the day.

To continue following along on my journey please join

My Beckers Story on Instagram & Facebook today!

Hot Topic - My Thoughts on the Nicolas Hamilton Controversy

Well a lot of controversy has resulted from a recent interview Nicolas Hamilton gave while sharing his honest thoughts of having a disability and using a wheelchair at the young age of just sixteen years old. While a few were offended by his honesty I believe many young people with disabilities at one time or another view their disability in a negative way. Now sure he could have worded things a bit differently but I am sure others within the disability community if being interviewed on live TV might not have said everything they wanted to say perfectly. 

I think a lot of people missed the fact that he was sharing his thoughts as a wheelchair user in his teens. Not once did he say what he was thinking was correct. One of his concerns as a teen was being able to find a girlfriend who would be accepting of his disability. Well news flash that's the concerns of many living with disabilities. It's a sad reality but some people aren't so accepting of people with disabilities. It certainly was a struggle for me at times to find a girlfriend due to my disability. Sadly back in my day people weren't so accepting of people with disabilities. In all honesty it was hard to find someone who was accepting of my disability and wanted to be in a relationship with me. There were certain points when I thought I'd spend the rest of my life alone. 

Obviously I was proven wrong when I met that special someone, eventually marrying my wife. So as you can see it is possible to find someone who accepts you despite your disability. Now let's not try and ignore the fact that at times people with disabilities do struggle finding companionship. Sure today we see many people with disabilities in relationships which is great. That doesn't mean others don't struggle in finding that special someone. While it might have been easy for you, that's not everyone's story. So let's step back into reality acknowledging the fact that there are people who aren't so accepting of people with disabilities. When it comes down to it in our teens not being able to find that special someone is a common concern.

Having a disability isn't cool, life in a wheelchair is bleak

Now when he did mention he thought life looked bleak as a wheelchair user something he said was influenced by growing up being taught having a disability isn't cool. These outside influences led to the way he felt in his teens. I am sure he doesn't feel that way today. After all, like many of us I am sure he has seen many great examples of wheelchair and mobility aid users doing some amazing things. Things thanks to social media we often see on a daily basis but let's not forget it wasn’t always so easy. We need to remember that growing up I am pretty sure Nicolas just like me wasn't exposed to this as much as kids are today. In our time things were very different as we often never saw any positive role models living with disabilities. A time when people with disabilities were looked down upon and inclusion wasn't even a thing. 

It seems those quick to react in a negative way to Nicolas's interview didn't realize he was sharing his thoughts from his perspective as a teen. I am sure most of us can admit that at points throughout our teens there were times when we didn't fully embrace our disabilities or feel all that confident, especially not knowing what the future might hold. So it's totally understandable that at certain points negative or worrisome thoughts might enter the picture. It's a normal human reaction to be concerned about our future.

“I thought I was being lazy using a wheelchair.”

Now the main issue people are having with his interview is him mentioning he thought he was being lazy using a wheelchair. Again what we have to remember is he was sharing how he felt at age sixteen and this view was more than likely shaped by the way some in society sadly view people with disabilities. After all, aren't we all influenced by the times we grow up in? Unfortunately even today some people ignorantly accuse people with disabilities of being lazy. Now we all know they're one hundred percent wrong but that's often the attitude we're up against.

If you look deeper into what Nicolas was saying and while it could have been worded differently is that it was society's view of people with disabilities using wheelchairs as lazy that influenced him in wanting to try walking again. While walking again isn't possible for some in his case he was able to, now that's his story. Again not everyone's story is the same and I am sure he understands that today. In no way did it come across to me that he was trying to say wheelchair users are lazy.

The studio audiences reaction

I think what stood out the most was the crowd's reaction to him saying he hasn't used a wheelchair in sixteen years. That certainly got a few people's attention. The studio audience applauded right away making it feel like they believe this is what all wheelchair users should strive to do. Though I am pretty sure with a live studio audience at certain moments an applause sign lights up resulting in them reacting that way.

Now I think it's great that Nicholas shared his experiences and thoughts of growing up with a disability and being a wheelchair user. It certainly has the disability community talking. Sure some took offense to the way he worded things but I know he was sharing his thoughts as a teen. I truly believe we should never be afraid to share our true feelings as expressing how we felt at certain moments throughout our lives is important when sharing our stories. That is why I always share mine openly and honestly. Something that is very important to do if our aim is to raise awareness and understanding of the lives we live. It's about breaking down barriers to change people's attitudes towards disability.

In the end Nicholas Hamilton wasn't saying people with disabilities are lazy people who can't get a girlfriend and live bleak lives. He was saying that is what society was saying to him at the time and he bought into it himself. I don't think him walking again is a negative thing as this is something he was able to do. I am sure after spending his entire life as part of the disability community he knows we can live fulfilling lives. After all we are a determined community focused on enjoying life. That despite our disability or whatever mobility aid we need to use, we are not lazy and that we are fully capable of finding that special someone, getting married, having children, even traveling the world and enjoying the good things in life. I am sure Nicolas Hamilton's view of his disability has changed a lot over the last 32 years and he shouldn't be vilified for sharing how he felt in his teens.

Well those are my thoughts on this on this current hot topic.

Introducing my new book Fighting Towards Victory!

Well I wrote a book! A dream at times I thought wouldn't be possible but after months of pushing through I have self-published a book entitled "Fighting Towards Victory" Now available on Amazon!

This certainly is a huge victory for me, one I thought at times wouldn't be possible to achieve! But in life we are all fighting towards a goal. It really doesn't matter who you are, we all have something we're dealing with. In my case it started early on in life when I was diagnosed with Becker Muscular Dystrophy. While it's only part of my story it hasn't been the only thing bringing challenges into my life. Sure we all enjoy a few victories along the way and at times we may face things that stop us in our tracks. Still we often make it through with a never give up attitude. I've certainly faced many ups and downs, some which should have broken me. Yet I am still here fighting so what I hope you get from reading my book is that overcoming the challenges of life is possible and that no matter what you are facing in life to always keep fighting. Even if sometimes that victory is just making it through the day.

So if you are looking to learn more about Becker Muscular Dystrophy, dealing with a recent diagnosis or simply aim to find ways to overcome the challenges of life I think you will enjoy reading a story about facing life's challenges head on and the ability we have to never give up no matter what comes our way.

I truly hope you consider ordering a copy of Fighting Towards Victory! 

Available on Amazon Please (Click Here) to order your copy today!

Candace Owens Thoughts on Disability & Employment - My Opinion

Quote “There are tons of positions people with disabilities can fill, there's no reason you can't work a desk job if you are in a wheelchair. I'm currently in a boot for a surgery I had. It hasn't made me less able or capable to do a podcast.” Candace Owens

That was Candace Owens response to a disabled viewer who mentioned the struggles they face in finding employment. Showing she might not fully understand any of the struggles people with physical disabilities face in finding employment. I actually know of fully educated college and university graduates with disabilities who are struggling to find employment. Why? One simple word discrimination.

Often many employers are unwilling to hire people with disabilities even if they are fully qualified. Sadly in some cases whenever an interviewer or HR department sees a person using a wheelchair or if they notice some obvious sign of a disability automatically their mind is made up to not even give them an opportunity. How do I know? Well it's happened to me.

See from my own experiences I learned the second you mention having a disability and needing certain accommodations that's usually when the interview takes a different turn. So often the hardest part for us is the ability to make it through the interview process.

When facing this type of uphill battle many people with disabilities often have no other choice but to give up on seeking employment since no one is willing to hire them. So while there might be many jobs we could do if they are unwilling to hire people with disabilities then unemployment becomes our reality.

What I find funny is the fact that most people that are screaming at us to get a job, some who even have their own business or brand wouldn’t even be willing to hire us. Sure some businesses are willing to do short-term paid sponsorships with people with disabilities to push their products on social media but often they have a bad track record of hiring us to work within their companies. So before anyone responds to people with disabilities struggling to find employment I suggest they do a little research on the realities we face.

That is why I would encourage people to consider reading my book Fighting Towards Victory to better understand the disability community and some of the issues we face.

To order a copy please visit https://linktr.ee/fightingtowardsvictory

I want my muscles back!

 
Lately I've found myself saying I want my muscles back. I simply want to be able to do the things I once did with ease. I want to be able to go to events without worrying about a lack of accessibility. I truly long to return to that carefree person I used to be. I've just noticed recently that as my muscles grow weaker it ends up taking away a lot of my self-confidence. 

I guess I am starting to feel defenseless against Muscular Dystrophy now knowing in many situations I might not be able to help myself. With the common concern being what if I fall or lately the biggest frustration being my inability to use some public bathrooms not due to a lack of accessibility but due to weakened leg muscles which severely limit me and my ability to get up from a seated position especially if there isn't anything for me to push off of. It just takes one experience of struggling physically to make you wish you could have the muscle strength back that you have lost. 

Like many I often pray and hope for a day when they find a huge breakthrough in Muscular Dystrophy research. One that allows all of us to rebuild the muscle strength we've lost. Sure this is a dream of many but it often seems so far off. 

So to all the researchers, doctors and charities I want to thank you for all you are doing in support of our community. To all the parents fighting hard for their sons and daughters, thank you for your passion and dedication to help all of us win the fight against Muscular Dystrophy. To everyone living with this thank you for sharing your stories and supporting those of us trying to make a difference by helping to show everyone we are truly in this together. Most of all thank you to everyone showing support for September being Muscular Dystrophy Awareness Month. To everyone you give us so much hope and I know one day I may be able to say thank you for helping me get my muscle strength back!

I might be smiling but...

I may be smiling but deep down inside especially after a day like yesterday I really don't enjoy living with Becker Muscular Dystrophy. Last Monday started out ok just like any other day. That is until later in the day I fell hard onto the bedroom floor after stepping on a hair brush that our cat had knocked onto the hardwood floor earlier in the day. I simply stepped on it accidentally and started sliding. The next thing I know I am doing the splits landing incredibly hard onto my rear.

At first I was worried so I quickly checked myself over hoping I didn't reinjure the knee that had just started feeling better after the fall I had suffered back in July. So there I found myself on the floor. I was home alone so I knew my only option was sliding across the floor into the kitchen where I keep my little step stool. Then I needed to work my way up onto my hands and knees and get myself up into a seated position on the stool. 

The next thing I did was slide a kitchen chair directly behind me, then with any strength I had left working myself up onto the chair. After this I can finally use the kitchen table as an aid to help me get back onto my feet. It was once I was standing I noticed the side of my index fingers knuckle was hurting pretty badly. I guess I will have to give it time to heal. Now thankfully that was the only injury I received, though my leg is hurting a little bit today. 

Now sure some might tell us we need to be positive despite these challenges we face, well I am living with a life altering condition, one that will only get worse over time and some days aren't easy. I simply think we all need to start being honest that sometimes it can be very difficult living with something that often has a negative effect on your daily life.  

Now some might prefer for us to just smile and act like everything is alright and yes most days I have every reason to smile but on days when the realities of aging with Muscular Dystrophy slaps me in the face I think it's okay to get upset. After all, it's not like I enjoy living with Becker Muscular Dystrophy.