It is not my responsibility to teach others how to be good people. This realization became crystal clear when attempting to outline on paper my grievances with a personal relationship this morning. When the words became stunted, wouldn’t parade across the page in the manner I am accustomed to, I…
I have a confession to make: Sometimes I’ll fake a smile. I’ll tug the corners of my mouth taut while my wide eyes stare into the camera. Getting through the day with cerebral palsy and other complex health conditions — the latest of which has me pushing an IV pole…
I’ve got a bad habit of collecting memories I don’t have. I adorn the shelves of my mind with milestones I’ve never reached, organizing them into lavish frames that contrast the emptiness inside. The developmental experiences comprising the majority of days for so many of my peers remain nothing but…
“‘Disabled’ is not a bad word.” I see this phrase pasted across social media with increasing frequency. As much as I appreciate people with disabilities sharing their perspectives, I have to admit, this particular arrangement of words makes my skin quiver. “Disabled” feels like a bad word. I was raised…
Independence is a word I heard tossed around frequently as a child. It hovered above me at Individualized Education Plan meetings in elementary school, and it filled pages for my goals in physical, occupational, and speech therapy. In almost every therapeutic and medical realm, independence appeared to be a…
Inclusion. I see this word flickering across social media frequently these days. As popular as it is on Instagram and Facebook, it was unpopular during most of my years growing up. Yet its significance in the quality of my life, and for the possibilities that illuminated my mind, was enormous.
When I heard the news about the debut of my town’s first drive-in movie theater a few weeks ago, I was elated. A montage of dreamy snapshots flickered across my mind. I pictured myself in the company of friends, tucked in a fluffy blanket. With a canopy of twinkling stars…
“Can you even have sex?” Scooting back on my massage table, I brace myself against the wall. Taken aback by the abrupt question, I consider my response. “Yes, I can.” The truth is I am embarrassed to admit I’ve had this conversation with a few men. Having a physical disability…
As a new school year approaches, I want to share some of my own experiences with education. Navigating school with a disability, especially higher education, can lead you down a confusing path. From a young age, I knew I would go to college. I envisioned college to be a beautiful…
“Can you make me a coffee and cream when I get there?“ The text flashes on the screen of my phone and I smile. Replying yes, I eagerly await the arrival of my visitor on a Saturday night. He appears shortly after dusk, the sound of his car rambling up…