Outside reading- Getting Through Life-Altering Injury

In the memoir, Moving Violations, the author, John Hockenberry, defies what society sees as a life-ruining disability and accepts his new life with wonder and vigor. After being in a car accident that made him lose control over his legs, many people looked at Hockenberry as though he were a young man whose whole purpose in life was taken away. Several even suggested doctor-assisted suicide: "...it was chilling to think that going on with my life made less sense to some people than a self-inflicted death" (77). It is suprising to Hockenberry that society believes he should give up so easily; that his life is as good as done. He sees his disability as the start of a brand-new life and each simple action is an exciting challenge. He never once considered suicide. Instead, he declares, "From the beginning, disability taught that life could be reinvented. In fact, such an outlook was required. The physical dimensions of life could be created, like poetry; they were not imposed by some celestial landlord" (79). By seeing his injury as an opportunity to mature and challenge himself, John Hockenberry is able to live life to the fullest in a situation where most people would have readily given up. Every day, every single person is faced with problems, and they must figure out a way to get through them all, but how can they do it when they focus on everything they've lost and can't envision new opportunities? This is exactly how Hockenberry felt when he decided to take on life from his wheelchair.