20/08/2014
Here is something really inspirational with beautiful photos from one of my photographer friends https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.739954612712398.1073742016.128757770498755&type=1&l=8896de62a5
My name is Mache Smith and I am eighteen years old. I would like to introduce myself to you in a way that you would be able to get an idea of who I am, what I do, why I do things and what my passion is. Like every other teenage girl has her dreams, I have mine. Everyone at a certain time in life has moments where they feel as if what they dream of achieving seems impossible, and to be honest with you, I felt that way.
I don’t blame myself for feeling that way, because of my physical disability, because of my physical disability there were many barriers and challenges and things to adapt to that were hard for me and made me very insecure about myself.
By just summarising my background all I can say is it was one of the hardest awakenings of my life and not the best. In the year of 2000 at the age of three my father committed su***de after killing his own wife, my mother and shooting me his daughter, leaving me paralysed. Growing up without parents and facing this physical challenge was a tough journey, but it has made me strong and turned me into the young lady I am today.
There is only one secret to it, I believe. And that is “putting your head to it”. I made a decision and that was to take and us what I had even if so much had been taken from me. That is where my dream perfectly blends in my life. I want to encourage the disabled, especially women with disabilities not to allow circumstances, challenges, differences and their fears to overpower what they want in life or take away the spirit of a winner.
I do not have the hardest life, there are many who face bigger obstacles than I do, but out of the life that I was given I learnt that fear can paralyse you if you put your mind to it, but standing against it, standing strong and living your dream can help overcome your fear. I am blessed with so many people in my life that have opened doors for me. I know that only our loving God is the reason for that and I know He has planned a journey for me.
I am blessed to have a personality that attract people to me that support, love, respect and care for me. I see life as a journey where we all need our fellow brothers and sisters because in times of need, we need anchors. My grandfather, who adopted me as his own, always reminds me that people play a role in our lives, good or bad, but they play a role in our foundation into who we become.
I was requested if I would be willing to be a Youth Ambassador for WAND (Women’s Achievement Network for Disability) that will be launched in August 2014, and as a determined, strong and positive person, I will be committed to help achieve their goals. I am looking forward to opportunities where I can support WAND to the best of my ability, to make it a success to grow bigger so that we can continue promote the human rights of women and girls with disabilities.