Two middle-aged women sat next to each other on a train. One was in a very good mood, but the other was sad and depressed. The cheerful woman who was having fun reading a book, started laughing as she read something amusing. Meanwhile, the sad woman became filled with envy seeing how cheerful the other woman was. She said to her. “You seem to be having such a great time… How I wish I could be happy as you are. But sadly, life isn’t fair to everyone” The cheerful woman closed her book and spoke very gently. “I’m terribly sorry for what you’re going through right now. If you need to talk about it, I’m here for you”. At that moment, the sad woman heaved a sigh, then opened up to her. “I have a child with a disability. It’s so difficult to deal with the feelings of shame, guilt, hopelessness and depression. I wish I could change everything. It just hurts a lot” .When the cheerful woman saw that the sad woman had started crying, she consoled her. “This must be so hard for you. But it always helps to look on the bright side of life. It’s a choice you’ll never regret” Then the sad woman said. “Unless you are raising a child with a disability, you don’t understand the pain I go through every day. The pain of losing all hopes and dreams you have for your child. You don’t understand because you’re such a lucky woman”. The cheerful woman became quiet afterwards. Shortly, she reached her destination and got off the train. A few moments after she had left, the sad woman noticed a piece of paper carefully placed beside her. She read it. “From the cheerful lady seated next to you. I just want you to know that I have three disabled children, and I understand three times the pain you feel. The only difference between the two of us is that I have accepted my reality”.
