(Hosted & Produced by Marlon “Shymar” Molinos)

The View from Chair Level is a talk show that discusses various topics from the viewpoint of Marlon Molinos an individual living with Cerebral Palsy since birth. The goal of this show is to inspire everyone to look past your limitations and find creative ways to accomplish your daily goals. A free mind is limitless and you are the only one that sets your own limits. 

Featured Song: Cher Lloyd Ft. Becky G: Oath

Many people are reluctant to join support groups. But getting support isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s a tool that can help you live a balanced and healthy life.

I totally agree with this statement because when you have a disability the issue of self confidence and self worth comes into question. Yes, having issues with self-confidence and low self-esteem affects everyone, not just those of us with disabilities. It’s just a lot more difficult for those with disabilities to accept and understand because most disabling conditions are hard to hide and are often what causes the low self-esteem and confidence issues.

I’ve dealt with those issues my whole life. Trying to overcome my own challenges everyday as the years passed help to build my self-esteem and gave me the confidence I needed to be out in my community and live a seemingly normal life.

Despite all of this, I still struggle with self-esteem and confidence issues because it’s a natural part of life. I often questioned why I was given this challenge and I often felt depressed and questioned my life as a whole.  As I sit here and reflect, I realized how hard I made things for my family. Always asking for help to do the simplest things until I joined my support group Special Olympics Guam, who showed me how to do things on my own with a few reasonable accommodations and modifications to my daily living.

They showed me a different way to look at a situation and tweak it to fit me. This is a lesson I use to this day.  

In previous episodes, I talked about having a support system and joining a group that promotes a positive message of inclusion is definitely a great way to build up ones confidence and self-esteem. 

Having that support group to talk to when you feel like life is putting you down is great to have because at times having a disability can be very difficult to accept especially when you get it through an accident of some sort. Being surrounded by people who have gone through similar traumatic situations who were able to get through them can help you see the light at the end of that proverbial tunnel.

Believe me, having a disability is not the end of the world. Just think of it as a brand new adventure. Take whatever time you need to mourn the loss of your previous life as an able bodied person and embrace the new life you have as a person with a disability. Lean on that support group to help show you how to live your new life. They will definitely give you a new perspective if you open yourself to this new adventure.   

Marlon Molinos – "it doesn't matter how a disability or situation is acquired. What matters is how you overcome, survive, and thrive with it."