I believe that I always have a choice. No matter what I'm doing. No matter where I am. No matter what is happening to me. I always have a choice.
Today I am sitting at my computer, speaking these words through a microphone. Although I have spent my life typing on a keyboard, I can no longer use my hands. Every day I sit at my computer speaking words instead of typing. In 2003, I was diagnosed with ALS, Lou Gehrig's Disease. Over time, this disease will weaken and finally destroy every significant muscle in my body. Ultimately, I will be unable to move, to speak, and finally, to breathe. Already, I am largely dependent upon others. So every day I review my choices.
Living with ALS seems a bit like going into the witness protection program. Everything I have ever known
And at an even more practical level, every day I choose not only how I will live, but if I will live. I have no particular religious mandate that forbids contemplating(沉思,注视) a shorter life, an action that would deny this disease its ultimate
Even people in the witness protection program must take with them fundamental aspects of themselves which can never change. What are these aspects for me? This is what I learn every day, and so far I have discovered many unique things, but one stands out above the rest. I have discovered in myself an ability to recognize, give, and receive caring in a way far deeper than anything in my life previously. Others have seen this in me as well.
I, who have always been an intensely private and independent person, have allowed a wide circle of family and friends into the most intimate(亲密的) parts of my life. Previously, I would have found such a prospect appalling. I might have felt I had no choice but to embrace the assumption that living with ALS means a life of hardship and isolation. Instead, because I believe that I always have a choice, I opened myself to other possibilities. And now the very thing that at first seemed so abhorrent has graced my life with unaccustomed sweetness. It was always there. Only now I have chosen to see it. This sweetness underscores and celebrates my belief that I always have a choice.
Catherine Royce was diagnosed with ALS when she was 55. She was a dancer for 30 years and a former deputy art commissioner for the city of Boston. Royce lives in Dorchester, Mass., where the family's dining room has been converted into her bedroom.
Independently produced for NPR's Morning Edition by Jay Allison and Dan Gediman with John Gregory and Viki Merrick. Production assistance from Richard Knox.
相关单词:radically
radically解释:ad.根本地,本质地
radically例句:
I think we may have to rethink our policies fairly radically. 我认为我们可能要对我们的政策进行根本的反思。
The health service must be radically reformed. 公共医疗卫生服务必须进行彻底改革。
相关单词:entirely
entirely解释:ad.全部地,完整地;完全地,彻底地
entirely例句:
The fire was entirely caused by their neglect of duty. 那场火灾完全是由于他们失职而引起的。
His life was entirely given up to the educational work. 他的一生统统献给了教育工作。
相关单词:arduous
arduous解释:adj.艰苦的,费力的,陡峭的
arduous例句:
We must have patience in doing arduous work.我们做艰苦的工作要有耐性。
The task was more arduous than he had calculated.这项任务比他所估计的要艰巨得多。
相关单词:mandate
mandate解释:n.托管地;命令,指示
mandate例句:
The President had a clear mandate to end the war.总统得到明确的授权结束那场战争。
The General Election gave him no such mandate.大选并未授予他这种权力。
相关单词:contemplating
contemplating解释:深思,细想,仔细考虑( contemplate的现在分词 ); 注视,凝视; 考虑接受(发生某事的可能性); 深思熟虑,沉思,苦思冥想
contemplating例句:
You're too young to be contemplating retirement. 你考虑退休还太年轻。
She stood contemplating the painting. 她站在那儿凝视那幅图画。
相关单词:previously
previously解释:adv.以前,先前(地)
previously例句:
The bicycle tyre blew out at a previously damaged point.自行车胎在以前损坏过的地方又爆开了。
Let me digress for a moment and explain what had happened previously.让我岔开一会儿,解释原先发生了什么。
相关单词:prospect
prospect解释:n.前景,前途;景色,视野
prospect例句:
This state of things holds out a cheerful prospect.事态呈现出可喜的前景。
The prospect became more evident.前景变得更加明朗了。
相关单词:appalling
appalling解释:adj.骇人听闻的,令人震惊的,可怕的
appalling例句:
The search was hampered by appalling weather conditions.恶劣的天气妨碍了搜寻工作。
Nothing can extenuate such appalling behaviour.这种骇人听闻的行径罪无可恕。
相关单词:isolation
isolation解释:n.隔离,孤立,分解,分离
isolation例句:
The millionaire lived in complete isolation from the outside world.这位富翁过着与世隔绝的生活。
He retired and lived in relative isolation.他退休后,生活比较孤寂。
相关单词:abhorrent
abhorrent解释:adj.可恶的,可恨的,讨厌的
abhorrent例句:
He is so abhorrent,saying such bullshit to confuse people.他这样乱说,妖言惑众,真是太可恶了。
The idea of killing animals for food is abhorrent to many people.许多人想到杀生取食就感到憎恶。
相关单词:commissioner
commissioner解释:n.(政府厅、局、处等部门)专员,长官,委员
commissioner例句:
The commissioner has issued a warrant for her arrest.专员发出了对她的逮捕令。
He was tapped for police commissioner.他被任命为警务处长。