And just when you think the struggle couldn’t get any harder; the problems continue, the rain falls harder, the darkness is darker, and the challenges keep coming. It’s then that you must remember that yes, the struggle is difficult, and it feels like it will never end but you’ve been here before and you’ll be here again. 

But between those moments the sun shone, the darkness faded, and the rain ceased to fall letting the rainbow shine in its colourful glory. Songs were sweet and not filled with sorrow, smiles were real and not a mask to hide the pain, laughter was magical and not forced.

It’s because of these highs that the lows seem so low; for from the greatest heights come the biggest falls. Those heights are what give you the chance to see the beauty around you and give you the strength to fight another day. It’s tough and you’ll forget but then one day you’ll remember again. You have to fight in order to win, you have to cry in order to feel, you have to scream and shout in order to hear the pain within and let it all out.

You are not alone on this roller coaster. You may forget about the others sitting there beside you when the fall happens because the rest of the world can easily fade away when the ground is hurtling toward you. But they are there, they’ll reach out their hand and all you need to do is grasp it and hold on through those terrifying moments. Squeeze tight, scream, feel, cry, be scared but don’t forget you are not alone. I am here, they are here, we are in this together.

Hold on tight my dear, my hand is reached out for yours and I’ll be there through the fall so that we can laugh, smile and live once more.

About the Author

Jess Cochran is a 31-year-old from Melbourne. Jess lives with physical and psychosocial disabilities as well as chronic illness. Jess is a writer, performing artist, actress, model, and disability advocate. 

She hopes that her continued involvement with advocacy, writing and the performing arts will help break down the barriers that performing artists with disabilities face when trying to access work, training, and performance spaces.