An unlikely gratitude list

In November, as leaves fall and pumpkins rest in porches and front yards, gratitude lists pop up in school hallways, Pinterest boards, and neighborhood magazines. People are grateful for families, jobs, and good health. Not many, though, include pain and disease in their list.

Austin Pruitt is one of the few who do. At 24, he has experienced almost five years of constant pain. Intracranial Hypertension causes him severe, chronic headaches that prevent him from living a normal life. However, he credits this rare illness as the key that unlocked his outpouring of gratitude. “From the early days of the disease, I started noticing that lots of people loved me. Being in pain allowed me also to realize that everyone hurts in one way or another. Because I have experienced physical and emotional pain, I can truly sympathize,” he explained one afternoon not long ago.

From his home in Dallas, Mr. Pruitt grew up planning to follow his father’s footsteps. He enrolled in college at 18, and was counting on going to medical school. It was studying at Harding University, during his freshman year, when he started to experience severe headaches. Soon, the pain became so strong, that he could not go on. One strong episode marked the first of several visits to the Emergency Room. In 2009, Pruitt traded his life in college for a full time cycle between emergency rooms, doctors’ offices, and recovery units. That was also the beginning of his journey towards thankfulness.

“I am grateful because I am not alone”, he expressed. His father, a plastic surgeon, is committed to finding a cure to this rare disease. Together, they have researched and visited lots of specialists around the country to discuss treatment options. Mr. Pruitt credited his family with providing the love, strength, and faith he has needed to go on.

Pruitt also appreciates the opportunity to share his experience and hope with thousands who have the same condition around the world. Besides participating in online support groups, he started his own YouTube channel. It includes original piano compositions, as well as chats about spreading joy, loving unconditionally, and living stress free. “This condition has given me the opportunity to think about topics greater than myself”, he expressed.

Last October, Pruitt delivered a sermon at his home church about the difference between pain and suffering. “Those who suffer from chronic pain can tell exactly what level of discomfort they feel at any given time. It is a fact. It is there. Suffering, on the other hand, is the feeling attached to the pain,” he indicated. “I cannot control the pain, but I can choose to either grumble, or shift my focus.”

His strategy for coping with constant pain is living in the moment: “It takes away the weariness of yesterday’s pain, and the fear of tomorrow’s. I found that playing the piano takes away the urgency of concentrating on the pain,” he stated.

For Mr. Pruitt, a daily gratitude list is also an effective antidote to both physical and emotional pain. “Even during the worst days of my pain, I have joy. I know that God has a plan, and that Intracranial Hypertension is not all there is” hinted Pruitt with a wink.

As he admitted that living in pain has aged him prematurely, he noted that his priorities have changed. That is why he advocates living with the less fortunate in mind, soothing hurting hearts, and pursuing a meaningful life. “This condition took away my career, but gave me the opportunity to tutor, teach piano, and even to write a book”.   

Drawing from his love for baseball, which he played throughout high school, Mr. Pruitt suggested that one decides whether or not to hit the balls that life throws. “Some try to hit a homerun with every opportunity, while others stay still, waiting that circumstances decide their game. This is the ball I got. It is a difficult one, but I will swing at it the best I can. So far, this disease has allowed me to take my music seriously, compose, and even give piano lessons,” explained Mr. Pruitt.

Not surprisingly, Mr. Pruitt conceded that Intracranial Hypertension has brought yet another gift to his life. While sharing his strength with groups of people, he discovered that he enjoys public speaking. I might be good at it too!” he concluded with a wide smile.