From Underdawg to Top Dawg: Redefining Limitations

Being born uniquely different can feel like being thrown into a world designed for someone else. For me, having a physical disability wasn’t just a difference—it was a challenge to prove what I could do despite others’ opinions. The world often labels the “underdawg” as the one who’s destined to lose. But those expectations are merely opinions, not facts.

I didn’t have the physical talents others had, but I had something they couldn’t measure—heart. Talent means nothing until it’s tested by adversity. I faced surgeries, not just as medical procedures but as opportunities. They enhanced my abilities, gave me better hand mobility, and extended the length of my arms. Those surgeries became valuable resources, tools that allowed me to create more opportunities for myself.

Adversity is a classroom, and every challenge is a lesson. What I learned is that the underdawg can become a resource for others. By overcoming obstacles, we gain the tools to help others through their battles. Being a resource means showing people that limitations don’t define us—our mindset and actions do. So, if you feel like an underdawg, remember: it’s not about where you start but how you rise.