Polarized | Finn Hudson

Artie Abrams

It all started with a drunk driver.

All Artie can remember when you ask him about it was when he was playing with his GI Joe in the back seat, then skipping to him waking up in the hospital. Finding no feeling or motion in his legs was the worst news he had ever received, and it put him into a state of depression. You never expect to wake up one day perfectly mobile, then go to sleep paralyzed from the waist down. All his nerves got crushed, and the lower part of his spine broke off, taking the movement of his lower half with it. Devastation couldn't even describe how hurt he and his family was. Half of the family fought for justice while Artie recovered from the crash aside from the paralyzation, but things became worst.

When an officer arrests someone, they're ordered to read their rights immediately. But, that night, with the guessing the officers had more on their plate besides arresting the drunk driver, didn't respond with the driver's rights. A silent arrest was done by accident, the stupid and clumsy officers forgetting an important part of their jobs, without any rights read. It's free game to the suspect when they aren't read, because once the officer and the suspect step foot inside the county jail, he might as well release them because they can sue. And so the suspect did, he sued the county for not reading his rights, and even tried suing Artie's family for making the officers 'stressed', but obviously that didn't work out. So, the man walked free with no charges and unnecessary money in his pocket 

His family tried everything they could. His sister even dropped out of college for a semester and use her financial aid to pay for physical therapy, but there was no use. His legs would never move again. All he wanted to do when he got home was run up to his room and cry into his pillow, but of course, he couldn't. He had to be carried upstairs, and the door had to stay unlocked just in case he needed something. Artie was hurt, his soul was hurt, his mind was hurt. He'd spend days slapping at his legs, trying to create some movement or feeling again. He'd throw himself off the bed purposely and try landing wrong on his ankles just to feel a broken bone, but nothing worked.

Artie because miserable at school, more embarrassed over all. His friends thought it was cool that he could sit all day and 'be lazy', but it hurt Artie's back a lot. He wanted to get up and run and get back on the football team. He wanted to climb up abandoned things with his friends. He hated being called a Race Car, but got used to it once high school rolled around. He felt like a child asking for help or having supervision 24/7.

He just wanted to be normal.

His depression hit an all time low at the beginning of his high school years. People would think he would just get used to being in a wheelchair, but that's not how it works. He had to think about life after school now. He didn't want to be cooped up at home his whole life.  He wanted to go to college, get a stable job, have a family, conquer his dreams. But how do you do that when you're immobile? It haunted his every waking hour, creeped on him when he was actually happy, and destroyed his mindset. "Why me?"  he'd think. He just wanted to zoom down the isle ways of school and crush people's ankles just to make them feel his struggles. He wanted them to know what it feels like to sit at four feet tall and not get any taller unless something was put in the wheelchair sea to make him taller. 

Glee sign ups came around, and Artie was already doubting things. He couldn't even reach the clipboard to sign his name, so how can he perform? Thankfully, his best friend Tina signed it for him. He filled his time for the next week singing and belting out songs in his room, even make choreography with his arms and rolling around a bit. When he made it, it's like a circuit switched in his head. He began to perform and do the assignments, being accepted without name calling, and actually winning at things. With this, Artie accepted the help and physical therapy he needed. He let people push him down the hallways, he let his physical therapist exercise his joints where it was needed, he accepted himself. He of course, couldn't do it over night, but when his friends treated him normally come Glee period time, he felt okay. He knew something was wrong with him and that he needed help, but he also knew it was okay.

Artie: I pick myself up off the floor, I'm much stronger than I was before. I won't stay down, I keep fighting for solid ground. My dreams are coming true, my energy has been renewed. Everyone look out, you're gonna see what I'm about. This day will be so infamous...

Artie's custom shirt read "Strong", a title well deserved. Everyone in Glee club learned to become patient with him when he performed since it's not that easy to sync his wheels with their feet, but he made it work.

Artie: I'm finding happiness in every granted wish 'cause, life is so sweet, when you catch the silver lining. I'm finding happiness in every granted wish 'cause, life is so sweet, when you catch the silver lining.

 Of course, everyone gives pity when they see him in the hallways, and even the Glee kids do it sometimes, but when you learn his story in a deeper level and understand where he has come from in his struggles, you replace that pity with high respect. Yes, you feel bad for him, but you also respect him for staying together through it all, for accepting the help he needed, and accepting himself.

Artie: When I get to do the right thing, I feel it comes with ease. I'll take a stand, this time I have the upper hand. This day will be so infamous.

 Don't let a lower hand of a situation define a person. Find the silver linings in their journey (from what you are willing to learn and discover) and praise them with it. Replace that pity with their stronger handed story and use it to help them strive to be a better version of themselves.

 Artie: I'm finding happiness in every granted wish 'cause, life is so sweet, when you catch the silver lining. I'm finding happiness in every granted wish 'cause, life is so sweet, when you catch the silver lining.