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Having a serious illness or a disability is life-changing and challenging. However, it doesn’t mean that you can’t live life to the fullest.

People from all over the world are inspiring others with their optimism and great sense of humor by posting photos of themselves enjoying life even when it gives them lemons. Instead of wallowing in sadness, they decided to make metaphorical lemonade. With a comedic twist.

Bored Panda collected some of the most inspiring, funny, and optimistic pics of people overcoming challenges and being high on life. It just goes to show that humankind is amazing and that we can get up after any setback. So scroll down, upvote your fave pics, and share this list with anyone whom you think could benefit from some motivation.

When you’re done looking through this post, check out Bored Panda’s article about Paralympian Josh Sundquist who lost his leg to cancer but dresses up in epic and hilarious costumes every Halloween.

#1

Cancer Survivor Takes Life With A Little Humor

Cancer Survivor Takes Life With A Little Humor

SianKaan Report

#2

7-Year-Old Does Not Let Alopecia Stop Her From Celebrating Her School's "Crazy Hair Day"

7-Year-Old Does Not Let Alopecia Stop Her From Celebrating Her School's "Crazy Hair Day"

Aurora_Olympus Report

#3

My Mom Is In Her 8th Week Of Chemo. This Is Her Halloween Costume

My Mom Is In Her 8th Week Of Chemo. This Is Her Halloween Costume

FudgeEyeNuh Report

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Kaisu
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The monies awesome and I hope her treatment has gone well!

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From Lego peg-legs and imitating Vincent van Gogh to hilarious T-shirts and funny poses with prosthetics, it seems like these people are getting more joy out of life than the average person. It’s not wrong to think so.

The BBC writes that there’s such a thing as the ‘disability paradox’ where people with disabilities often report having a quality of life that’s the same (or sometimes better) than non-disabled people. In fact, it seems that disabilities don’t seem to make much of a difference when rating life satisfaction. While lacking one of your major senses like sight or hearing doesn’t stop you from flourishing.

Having a good sense of humor and a sunny outlook has a positive effect on patients' recovery after surgery or after a temporary setback like breaking an arm or a leg.

#4

My Wife Dressed Up As Lara Croft For Halloween. She’s An Amputee, So She Improvised

My Wife Dressed Up As Lara Croft For Halloween. She’s An Amputee, So She Improvised

theschway83 Report

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#6

Most Long-Sleeves Are Longer Than My Arms Due To A Disability, So I Wore An Appropriate Sweater

Most Long-Sleeves Are Longer Than My Arms Due To A Disability, So I Wore An Appropriate Sweater

astaroth136 Report

The benefits of optimism and humor in daily life have been well-documented. But how much do they affect people with illnesses and disabilities?

According to one study, optimism plays an important role in helping individuals with disabilities cope with their situations and achieve their goals. What’s more, it helps them, as well as their caregivers, improve their overall well-being.

#8

Going Back To Work Next Week. Trying To Convince My Colleagues I Had A Beach Holiday

Going Back To Work Next Week. Trying To Convince My Colleagues I Had A Beach Holiday

Hoger Report

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#9

Saw This Customer Today With The Coolest Christmas Decorations Ever

Saw This Customer Today With The Coolest Christmas Decorations Ever

corpsequeen96 Report

Meanwhile, another study that looked at people suffering from Parkinson’s Disease noted that (what they call) dispositional optimism improves the quality of life, reduces emotional distress, and even reduces the severity of the disease.

While a third study showed that people who adapt to having disabilities tend to enjoy a higher quality of life than those who don’t.

#10

My Brother's Halloween Costume This Year

My Brother's Halloween Costume This Year

nightwolf12 Report

#11

Built Myself A LEGO Leg While I Wait For My Real One To Be Built

Built Myself A LEGO Leg While I Wait For My Real One To Be Built

1leggedcrow Report

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MissPrideGirl
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow, I never thought Lego could be used to make a leg. This makes me happy.😁

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#13

Just Beat Testicular Cancer, So From Now On These Will Be My Pens Of Choice For Nursing School

Just Beat Testicular Cancer, So From Now On These Will Be My Pens Of Choice For Nursing School

wasqa2 Report

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HoffLensMetalHedLovesAnimalsUK
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Good stuff man, my mate has 1 ball and we call him 'Uni', he even calls himself it now, we love him so much.

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#14

My Wife Was In An Accident About 2 Months Ago Resulting In A Severe Brain Injury. We Thought We'd Make The Most Of The Situation. Zoinks!

My Wife Was In An Accident About 2 Months Ago Resulting In A Severe Brain Injury. We Thought We'd Make The Most Of The Situation. Zoinks!

ryneoweb Report

#15

Was At The VA Hospital Today, When I Ran Into This Guy And His Shirt

Was At The VA Hospital Today, When I Ran Into This Guy And His Shirt

Pioneer411 Report

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MissPrideGirl
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

He looks like he wants me to do it. Now I want to learn how to do a frontflip.

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#16

Met Another Bionic And Decided To Swap Limbs

Met Another Bionic And Decided To Swap Limbs

pioneer9k Report

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Demi Zwaan
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow, both very beautiful prostheses! I love the intricate artwork on the arm and I've always liked the look of the blades for legs.Why would you want a 'real' looking leg prosthesis when you can look like this? And it works better, too.

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#17

Friend Had Ear Surgery And Decided To Make The Best Of It

Friend Had Ear Surgery And Decided To Make The Best Of It

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#18

My Aunt's, A Recovering Cancer Patient's, Hair Has Started Growing Back And Today She Posted This Picture Captioned "Twins!"

My Aunt's, A Recovering Cancer Patient's, Hair Has Started Growing Back And Today She Posted This Picture Captioned "Twins!"

clawz_nd_webz Report

#19

Lost The Leg A Couple Months Ago, But He's Kept His Sense Of Humor The Whole Time

Lost The Leg A Couple Months Ago, But He's Kept His Sense Of Humor The Whole Time

quixoticwhit Report

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#20

Photo Taken Outside Children's Hospital In Los Angeles. Smart Kid

Photo Taken Outside Children's Hospital In Los Angeles. Smart Kid

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I’m Foxxy and I know it 😉
Community Member
4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If I remember rightly it worked and the child ended up with a ridiculous amount of pizzas.

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#21

My Uncle Broke His Leg Today. He Said It Didn't Even Hurt

My Uncle Broke His Leg Today. He Said It Didn't Even Hurt

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#22

My Friend Was Diagnosed With Parkinson’s. He Thought It Would Be Funny To Send This As His Christmas Letter. His Wife, Horrified, Added The Sticker

My Friend Was Diagnosed With Parkinson’s. He Thought It Would Be Funny To Send This As His Christmas Letter. His Wife, Horrified, Added The Sticker

akiro27 Report

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Kaisu
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love the little "Ha Ha :-)" in the corner, glad to see he has good humour and a not overly serious approach to his illness

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#23

I’m Having My Orchiectomy Today For Testicular Cancer. Here’s My 100% Accurate Representation Of The X-Rays

I’m Having My Orchiectomy Today For Testicular Cancer. Here’s My 100% Accurate Representation Of The X-Rays

brandondandon Report

#24

My Co-Worker Is An Amputee. This Was Her Costume

My Co-Worker Is An Amputee. This Was Her Costume

Xenon808 Report

#25

Turned My Wheelchair Into The Iron Throne For Halloween

Turned My Wheelchair Into The Iron Throne For Halloween

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#26

My Son Is An Amputee And Sent Me These Gems. I Needed To Share Them With The World

My Son Is An Amputee And Sent Me These Gems. I Needed To Share Them With The World

Mysmilestaysstrong Report

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glowworm2
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love Sir Nubly! Looks like your son literally made himself a new friend.

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#27

Felt Cute, Bout To Get $125K Injected Into Me For My Disease, Might Delete Later IDK

Felt Cute, Bout To Get $125K Injected Into Me For My Disease, Might Delete Later IDK

A-A-ron98 Report

#28

My Dad Just Got His Chest Port For Chemotherapy Today. Here He Is Testing It Out

My Dad Just Got His Chest Port For Chemotherapy Today. Here He Is Testing It Out

Not_Safe_For_Bjork Report

#30

I'm Having My Left Leg Amputated Today. I Wore This Shirt And Wrote This On My Leg For The Surgeons

I'm Having My Left Leg Amputated Today. I Wore This Shirt And Wrote This On My Leg For The Surgeons

Ekooing Report

Note: this post originally had 43 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.

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