Justine Van Den Borne’s journey was a testament to the indomitable human spirit, a story of resilience in the face of adversity. She was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) at the age of 35 and has spent the past six years navigating the myriad challenges this debilitating condition has thrown her way. Her inspiring story begins with a poignant incident at the Mitcham Shopping Center in Melbourne, Australia, which, despite an inauspicious beginning, grew into a powerful symbol of perseverance and understanding.
Multiple sclerosis is a relentless adversary, sapping strength and distorting the simplest of everyday tasks. For Justine, each day presents a new set of obstacles to overcome, a unique configuration of obstacles to overcome. Tasks that most of us take for granted become Herculean feats when MS gets tough. Simple acts like walking, shopping, and even driving can become monumental challenges that require unwavering determination. Finding a parking space at the entrance to a building becomes a lifeline, a rare respite in a world full of uncertainty.
One such day at Mitcham Shopping Center, Justina’s life took an unexpected turn. After carefully maneuvering her car into a designated handicap parking space, she discovered a note waiting for her on the windshield. The words in that note, though brief, were laced with venom and judgment. “Did you forget your wheelchair?” she asked a question that carried not only the weight of ignorance but also a bitter accusation. The person who left this message saw Justine exiting her car without the assistance of a wheelchair and assumed it was a handicapped parking violation.
The venomous remark was short and unappealing. “Did you forget your wheelchair?” it asked. The person who left the message saw Van Den Borne leave her car, even though she had parked in a handicapped spot and was not using a wheelchair.
Van Den Borne simply chose not to accept the remark. She uploaded the message to her Facebook page and posted a picture of a letter left on her windshield saying she had been diagnosed with MS and needed to use the disabled parking space to get into the building more easily.
Van Den Borne said in her Facebook post that she has good days and bad days. Depending on how the wind blows, her MS symptoms can flare up and cause her to struggle with mobility some days more than others. She may not be confined to a wheelchair, but that doesn’t mean she doesn’t suffer from a condition that interferes with her life, making it difficult for her to walk and do normal activities like shopping in an Australian department store.
I’m tired of people like you treating me badly while I’m having a good day using a device I’m entitled to, the woman wrote. A disability doesn’t always require one to be confined to a wheelchair, but luckily for you, one day I will be.
Since Van Den Borne posted her experience on Facebook, hundreds of people have been motivated to overcome their limitations. When she first shared her article on Facebook in 2015, it garnered more than 17,500 likes and thousands more shares.
Justine Van Den Borne’s life has been a journey of self-discovery and advocacy, fueled by an indomitable spirit of resilience. Her story reminds us that the struggles of individuals with invisible disabilities deserve the same attention and support as those with more obvious problems. She represents thousands of people who, like her, fight their daily battles with courage and grace, often against judgment, misunderstanding, and unwanted scrutiny.
As Justine stands strong, shares her experiences, and advocates for those who, like her, face the challenges of invisible disabilities, she sends a powerful message to the world: “Before you ruin someone’s day, remember that you don’t know everything, and just because you can’t see it doesn’t mean you one does not try to put one foot in front of the other.” In these words, he sums up the essence of his struggle and the struggles of countless others, revealing the pain behind the smiles, and the battles fought behind the facade of normality.
At the age of 41, Justina’s journey with MS continues, but so does her fight to raise awareness and inspire change. Her story is a testament to the strength of the human spirit and serves as a call to action for all of us to be more compassionate, understanding, and willing to look beyond the surface to see the courage within. With her tenacity, Justine Van Den Borne is a shining example of the power of empathy, breaking down the barriers of misunderstanding one heart at a time.