My first hint that my life would be unique came on the path of my career.  Women weren’t known for being auto mechanics in the 70’s.  But, I was.

I saw that path as a possibility and when opportunity knocked, I swung that door wide open.

Armed with my new awareness of mechanics – sockets and wrenches – a 12 mm or a 1/2″ – jacks and vises – my world got a whole lot more exciting.  After all, how many women auto mechanics do you know?

Learning that I was mechanically inclined opened doors for me.  Just on the other side of social expectations was where I found my next pathway.  It happens that I had several friends who rode wheelchairs to go about their day.  I realized that someone must be repairing those wheelchairs and it might as well be me.  There I was, in 1980, the one and only women wheelchair mechanic west of the Mississippi…probably beyond.

I was so happy playing road ranger; driving a van full of wheelchair parts and tools.  Hundreds of power chairs hummed again under my adept troubleshooting skills.  I could break down a sport chair and rebuild it in the course of an afternoon.  Adapting brakes, re-configuring joysticks, modifying seating, meant independence for many.  I loved being a part of all that.

It happens that, in 1986, an Apple II E computer could be adapted with much of the same gizmos and gadgets as wheelchairs were equipped.  Somebody without arm or hand movement could control a computer with the sip or puff of a straw, or the tip or tap of a switch. Independence on a computer would mean the ability to write, read, communicate, interact.  I soon realized that someone must be adapting these computers and it might as well be me.  I became skilled as an assistive technology specialist and played along this life path from Berkeley to Seattle, from Mexico to Ecuador.

I absolutely know these opportunities happened because I was willing to take the path that was different, interesting, exciting, and meaningful.  I choose a unique life path that was in line with my values.  I might have let my fear stop me.

Fear has a way of stopping us in our tracks.  Fear gnaws away at our choices.  Fear keeps us from making our own unique path.

Through self awareness, I stop following with my head and start leading with my heart.  Following my heart got me unstuck!

How cool is that!

Want to get unstuck? I offer personal coaching and would be happy to guide your exploration.  Contact me at bridgett@bridgettperry.com