The Hawk Can Soar

Physical Struggle

the effects of rare motor neuron disease.

She could no longer walk without a walker.

when she could no longer go running she changed her routine from running to walking then to the gym and eventually the pool she struggled no matter what changes she made.

the author states her "hands quake with tremors"

the author seems to struggle with most of her daily life, but she trys to fight and gain back what she had.

Emotional Impact of Disability

the author emotions took a toll when things started to get worse and progress.

the author sates " I cannot live my life without being overcome with profound fatigue, an exhaustion so deep and unmeasurable that I weep when I don’t have the strength to make dinner"

Emotional Impact of Disability

the author can't go about her normal routine that she used to without pain, or something going wrong

acceptance and adaptation

she eventually accepted the disease by realizing that theres was nothing she could do to change it or slow it down and that it was still going to progress. that she needed to live while she still could.

Acceptance and Adaptation

they adapted to their disease by changing their habits like walking instead of running. By deciding to leave their university career.

Identity and Self-Perception

she feels like she isn't in control of her own body anymore, like the disease took over her.

the author states "Weirdly, I begin to understand that I am but a part of my body. My body is not a part of me"

resilience and fighting spirit

the author states "Thus subordinated, I live. And I keep on living"

the author wants to prove to her disease and everyone else including herself, that she could care less and just wants to put it in her past and move on, to keep living her life instead of the disease living it for her.

the unpredictable nature of life

the author does struggle at one point but they didnt let those struggles or the disease stop them from wanting to live their life the way they used to, the author kept pushing to fight for what was hers before the disease took over the control

The Unpredictable Nature of Life

Societal Perceptions of Disability

at some point seeing doctors wasn't working anymore no one could come up with answers for them as if the disease was unknown.

Societal Perceptions of Disability

when some people hear the word disability they connect it with the word impossible, as if things are no longer within that persons reach or capability to acheive goals or daily things in life.

hope and symbolism

the sybolism of the hawk is showing her she has the strength, or determination to achieve what she wants to do while she has the time to do or that maybe things could get better, but at least they see themselves as someone who didnt go down without trying or fighting for their normal life back without the disease.

Hope and Symbolism