kindness matters, it really might be the most underappreciated and underrated trait in all of humanity. In terms of the dictionary definition, kindness means, "the quality of being kind, warmhearted, or gentle." However, kindness is much more than that, much more powerful than that. Being kind has the ability to save people's lives. Being kind has the ability to change a person forever. Being kind has the ability to give a person hope in times when they so desperately need it.

That's what it did for me. A simple act of kindness changed me forever. As most of my readers will know, I've been physically disabled my entire life. I suffer from cerebral palsy along with having major hip and knee reconstruction surgery. I have a noticeable limp when I walk, and I use a walker for my main source of mobility. You see, it's easy when you're young. As a child you're much to innocent and carefree to notice that you're different from everyone else. It wasn't until I got older that I start to feel the insecurities. I would try to hide it the best I could, but deep down inside I was bitter, angry and depressed. I hadn't accepted myself or my disability.

It wasn't until my sophomore year of college that all of that changed. On the outside, I was doing well. I was social, friendly, I was forming relationships like I always had. However, on the inside my inability to accept myself as a disabled human being had thoughts constantly running through my mind like, "I'm not normal, these people are just being nice to me because they feel bad."

But one day, I was sitting at a table during a school event, I had decided that I was going to leave my big, bulky walker behind and bounce from chair to chair over to the table like I'm very capable of doing. I sat down and ate for about 45 minutes or so, and then it was time to get up and go. Everyone at the table got up to clear their plate, but when I got up and turned around, all of the chairs were too spread apart or taken. No big deal, I just started trying to adapt in my head and figure it out. However, as I'm computing in my brain, I look down and there's a hand extended out for me to grab. I pause, and look up at her and she said, "Come on, take my hand. I gotcha Jerr!"

On the outside I was trying to play it cool and act like it was no big deal. But, on the inside something changed, a light bulb went off. I thought to myself, in that very moment, as I was walking across the room, "maybe my disability isn't the only thing people see. Maybe people do accept me as a regular person and are genuine." At the time, I barely knew her, today she has become one of my closest friends and I will forever credit her for saving my life.

I don't like to think about what kind of man I would be, or quite honestly, if I would even be here at all if I didn't get a helping hand that day. But, I am because kindness matters. That very simple gesture opened up my mind and heart in ways that I desperately needed. It helped me begin to accept my circumstances fully. I started seeing things in a positive light and was able to form meaningful, genuine and long lasting friendships. Eventually, I was even able to find true love. Every now and then, I feel down on my circumstances or depressed about life. But, I'm always able to think back to the hand that was given to me as a reminder of positivity.

I know especially today, with all of the politics and hate that seems to be surrounding the world right now that it might be difficult. Many of us seem to be just as divided as ever. We're quick to show the worst and most stubborn parts of us, especially, when someone is different than us. But, be open to others, be kind. You never know what someone is going through or hiding inside. All they might need or be hoping for is for someone to seem like they care. So, don't be afraid to extend a hand, it could save someone's life.