"Putting the Ability in Disability" Pt 3

Thanksgiving is coming and what's a better time to hear about something to make us thankful for what we have in life? Melody Gardot is a 21 year old woman in Philadelphia Pa who was disabled at 19. The circumstances of her accident are tragic yet, despite what some may see as devastating, she expresses how she sees the world in a different light. A most courageous and inspiring individual, I have chosen to interview her in a three part series. The other two articles explain a bit more. See the first two articles I wrote part one and part two for further details on how this story came to be.

Jason: Since I have been dying to ask, but haven’t yet, could you tell me did you ever think, even once, you would be like you do now?

Melody: Absolutely not. And to be honest, I don't think I could have.

Jason: Is there any time you catch yourself thinking "Man I wish I didn't make that turn onto that street" or "Why me?"

Melody: "Actually, no. I never have. A lot of people ask me that, and I'll tell you what I told them. Getting hit by a Jeep, while I don't suggest anyone go do it, was in some ways a blessing. (This is usually where I get the shocked face from people). Let me explain...it brought me to a place where I now have so much more compassion for other people. I see now, what I could never have seen prior to the accident because I didn't have the wisdom I needed to be able to empathize with people who have suffered any kind of hardship. I never bothered to think about what it would be like to have to fight every day just for medical treatment. I never understood how much it meant to have someone care about you (I had to spend a great deal of time in the hospital/rehab and had one or two visitors). I was without the understanding that I now have about the world. For that alone, I am grateful for my hardship."

Jason: What about your memory loss? That doesn’t frustrate you?

Melody: "Well, if it does, I forget by the time the next day comes around. (laughs) One of the greatest things about having no short term memory is that I can't remember that I am upset, frustrated, what have you. I don't get angry because I forget what to be angry about, and I rarely have anxiety because I never remember what I’m supposed to be worried about. In that sense, I’m better for it. It only becomes problematic when people expect too much of me. I never remember things like phone calls, papers people need or doctor appointments. I guess it’s more frustrating for other people who have to deal with me. But no, I'm not frustrated by it."

Jason: Is that something that will improve in time?

Melody: "Don't ask me, ask God. Even my doctors don't know for sure. Despite the fact that music has been proven to help people who have had a brain injury like I have, there is no "time line" so to speak as far as I know. Unless of course, someone told me and I forgot."

Jason: I'm not a person involved in the music industry, but I know if I was I would want to sign you and let you share your story with the world. Has anyone else felt the same way?

Melody: "I'm not sure. If they have they haven't told me! All I want is to continue to experience the joy I feel every day I’m alive. Music helps me to do that. The fact that people listen is a blessing, and the fact that they relate furthermore, makes me think that the only reason I’m even here today is to help to spread that joy. If nothing else, maybe people will see how much it’s helped me, and pass the word on to someone who is struggling in a similar way.”

Jason: So what do you hope for?

Melody: "In my opinion, the greatest thing we can do as people is connect with each other while we’re here. While my situation has changed and my life has been turned around, life isn’t over. So many people forget that idea when they lose a part of themselves in accidents/trauma. The trick is to find out “who you are” now that things are different. And for me, that person is a musician. I hope that if nothing else, people see how disability is not the end-all, be-all definition of character. While it’s true I struggle, I also make it my mission never to give up. If I fail, I fail, but in my mind, there is no failure in trying. It’s only people who never try who fail miserably. On that note I’m going to try to get some rest. Thanks for the interview Jason. I hope you find many more people who inspire you to write articles. And for the record, I really appreciate how kind you are to respect the one thing that brings me such great joy: music.”

Her music is more beautiful and honest than anything I have heard before. And if you took the time to read these articles, do the same for her music. www.cdbaby.com/melodygardot has her music and her website is www.melodygardot.com. --Jason