Teresa “Flying Eagle” Baird
I was at the Seattle Center last Saturday to participate in the Emerging Majority Festival, which was put on by the Washington Coalition of Citizens with Disabilities. As a member of the State Independent Living Council, I function at a high level on activities concerning people with disabilities.
After using a wheelchair for six years, in 1995, I decided to take a skydive dressed like a flag, to celebrate my spiritual freedom from the struggles and restraints of my physical disability. I have been involuntarily involved in a war for my personal survival. Terrorists in varied forms have haunted me with their shadows for years.
Until the enlightenment that my severe disability brought fourth, I was clueless as to what emotional and physical pain sickness and society could manifest on me. This Flying Eagle has spent untold minutes; hours, days and years experiencing agonizing torture at the hands of these adversaries. Ignorance and apathy have taunted my spirit.
Numerous times I’ve been parched with extreme thirst. My well is abundant with water yet I could not drink. I need help going to the bathroom. Help was not available. I was too sick to drive myself to the doctor. Help was not available. My house needed cleaning. Help was not available. I need food brought for me. Help was not available. My list could go on and on. I felt abandoned. I felt alone in a desolate wilderness. While experiencing deep despair, I wondered how many other people have felt as angry and sorrowful as myself.
God loves us all. I know that, yet this Flying Eagle was unable to embrace his love. The emotional pain filled my spirit so completely; I was numb to his all-encompassing love. A suffocating tightness nearly froze my breathing. Terror and grief attempted to stomp me out. The darkness of ignorance and apathy attempted to screen the gentle comforting love of God.
Like a warm, spring-lit morning, God’s massively strong yet gentle love broke through those dark clouds. As the breath of his nourishing love lifted me with energized strength, I saw his light and understood my mission in life.
The love of God and the freedom of flight moved me into the world of public speaking, transportation and disability issues advocacy and writing. The intolerance of ignorance and apathy has taught me how not to be.
Through education, involvement, persistence and love, we can break free of terrorism. By using anger as an arrow, adversity can be conquered. The gift of God’s light overcomes darkness in all shape and forms.
I went to the Seattle Center dressed once again like a flag. Tuesday, Sept. 11’s terrorist attacks whittled away at society’s psyche. Even in the early hours of last Saturday’s vigil at the fountain, candles, flowers and people filled the area. I saw a profound view of light and love.
Isaiah 40: 31 — "They shall mount up with wings as eagles" — reminds us of God’s power and love. On Saturday, my flag outfit reminded me that emotionally I’m free of terrorism. My spirit reaches up toward God’s embracing love as I ask for him to bless us every one as well as to please, God Bless America.
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