Meghan Beaudry, a writer based in Houston, Texas, may seem like any woman in her prime. But many people don’t know that she suffered from an invisible yet dangerous disease.
Meghan was diagnosed with Lupus, an autoimmune disease where a person’s immune system attacks tissues and organs. Some of its symptoms included extreme fatigue, rashes, sensitivity to sunlight, and joint pain, among other things. But a severe flare-up can cause inflammation of the organs, which is fatal.
While the nature of the disease alone is difficult to bear, the emotional burden it brought her added to Meghan’s suffering. As Lupus is an invisible illness, it was also difficult to diagnose. According to a heartfelt essay she wrote, it took seven doctors before she received a proper diagnosis.
Meghan sought the help of doctors as soon as she felt her symptoms, but as a woman experiencing legitimate medical concerns, doctors did not take them seriously. By the time she was diagnosed with Lupus, she already had a fatal brain inflammation.
Despite Meghan’s chronic condition, she strived to live as normally as possible. And then, one day, during lunchtime, a picture of a dog for adoption caught her eye. It was a miniature Poodle named Wilbur, with a missing front paw. Meghan had an urge to meet the dog in person, so she visited the shelter where Wilbur stayed when she had free time.
When the shelter staff handed Wilbur to Meghan, he wriggled until he was upright and facing Meghan. Then, he wrapped his legs around her neck, terrified of letting go.
The shelter employee then shared Wilbur’s story. Wilbur was a victim of physical abuse. His front paw needed amputation due to damage. He went into different families several times but returned several times due to his physical limitations.
Upon learning this, Meghan felt the pain Wilbur went through. She, too, knew how it felt to be misunderstood and rejected. She then gently brushed Wilbur’s far away from his eyes so she could see him better than she promised that they would never leave each other.
It was terrific how Wilbur’s life story resonated with Meghan’s. She thought that life had become better with a new friend and sidekick. But little did she know that Wilbur would offer more than just company.
Meghan also wrote in her essay her realizations after adopting Wilbur. She noted their similarities, as well as their differences. While Wilbur’s disability is more visible, his deepest scars go more profound than his skin – the trauma, the fear of abandonment, rejection, and loneliness. Both he and Meghan suffered similarly in that aspect.
Meghan thinks that she and Wilbur are a perfect pair. The aspects of their disabilities that made people reject them complemented each other’s needs and personalities. For instance, people didn’t like that Wilbur walked slowly and with a limp because of his missing paw, but this was perfect for Meghan since her illness easily tires her out.
On days when Meghan is stuck in bed, Wilbur, who is always hungry for affection, would snuggle beside her.
But there was something that Wilbur and Meghan did differently. After multiple rejections from her doctors, Meghan felt a great deal of shame. She felt that her concerns were invalid, so she hid her illness from most people.
Wilbur, on the other hand, did it differently. Despite experiencing rejection from different potential owners, he was never shy to ask for his needs. Whenever he wanted a hug, he would come up to Meghan and ask for it. He followed Meghan wherever she went, and he would cry if she closed the door before him. He also didn’t hesitate to approach strangers to ask for some affection.
Wilbur did not only serve as Meghan’s companion, but he taught her different thing. She realized that if a dog like Wilbur can inspire love from others, she can, as well!
If Meghan’s and Wilbur’s story inspired you, check out this video here:
Source: Dance For Kindness Vn via YouTube
