Burgandi Rakoska

Normal Burgandi Rakoska

I used to think the world was divided into two categories: Not in a wheelchair = Normal. In a wheelchair = Jonah. I never thought I was abnormal. I just knew other people wouldn't call my life 'normal'. Other people would go to great lengths to try to make me normal. People that I loved, people that loved me. They wanted me to be normal. So I became normal. They told me to walk. I walked. They told me to run. I ran. They told me to jump. I asked, "How high?" There aren't that many stories with disabled characters out there. Most stories that exist have someone learn how to be a cripple. But nobody tells you what happens when a cripple walks. The answer? The cripple becomes normal. At least, I thought I was normal. Finally. That was before I met my uncle. My crippled, gay, uncle. Who has a black, gay, husband. They're successful. They're happy. They love me. Unconditionally. And now, I have no idea what it means to be 'normal'. Maybe I never did. Maybe no one does.