Would You Take a Red Pill?

The Red Pill

ETH/316

December 24, 2012

Glenn Deatley

The Red Pill

Anjali Forber-Pratt made a choice. That choice made as a young child allowed her the ability to have a platform to make advances for paraplegic to lead normal lives and have the same opportunities that those with two legs have. At age 14 Anjali chose to take on her school district. She knew she would not benefit from the fight, but she wanted to provide an opportunity for others that would follow, to be given the same access to an education and activities that everyone should have. The values that Anjali’ parents instilled in her early and were not always viewed by society favorably forced her to be a strong and independent woman. This strength defined who she was and the impact she would have on countless paraplegics throughout the world. The choices that Anjali made to rise above her disability would not have been possible if others did not begin to fight in the years before. Individuals have a choice; they can choose to live their life feeling sorry for what they have been given, or they can choose to make a difference. In the end, it is their decision to take the red pill, or continue to make a difference in the life of many people throughout the world just as they are.

As a young child Anjali knew she was different. As a preschooler surrounded by children who could run and walk, she knew her life would always be different. As an eight year old she realized she was not alone when she watched a paraplegic cross the finish line at the Boston Marathon. At that moment is was not about what she could not do, it was about the possibilities to accomplish more. Anjali learned early in life that if you surround yourself with people who have the same disabilities, they will not feel alone. When Anjali started high school and realized that she was not going to be given the same opportunities as her fellow students were given she chose to fight. Taking on her school district, and...