answer:Do you think you have learned any lessons from having a disability? Have a greater sense of empathy? These are, I suspect, the things the young man you saw was talking about. It’s just a matter of whether those things outweigh the misery. From having a disability, I have gained self-confidence. Before I was sick, my life was cushy in every way. I had no confidence in my strength of character because it had never been challenged. Okay, so I can be successful given great circumstances – who can’t? It wasn’t until I continued to be successful even though I was facing adversity that I knew how strong I am. From having a disability, I have gained empathy. I was unaware of what it was like to suffer before. Now I am passionate about issues involving victims’ rights. I have a whole new dimension to my character that I never had before. Maybe I would have learned these lessons eventually anyway, but it’s still very valuable to me. But does all this outweigh the pain, the missed opportunities, and the fear? I’m not sure. Ask me again in a year. I think the answer to that question would have to be “yes” before I could truly say I am grateful for my disability. Right now, I don’t feel so grateful. But I can fathom that someone else in another situation might.