Handicapped-accessible parking spaces are for people with disabilities. In a recent news report, a disabled California man said he was physically assaulted because he asked someone not to park in a handicapped-accessible space. I don’t understand why anyone would have a problem with being asked to move out of…
I need to start living as though I am a healthy person. Saving my most cherished experiences for the future, for when I am physically nourished and capable, isn’t working for me. Putting life on hold My dreams and expectations for a future overflowing with family, adventure, joy, laughter, and beauty…
Everyone needs adequate sleep each night. Sleep allows the body to rest and recharge for the following day. But for people with cerebral palsy, sleeping isn’t always easy, as we frequently struggle with spasticity and involuntarily movements. I have difficulty sleeping. Luckily, I’ve found ways to help me address…
Last month, I wrote about how I took the plunge into the world of sharing my perspective through video on social media. Having been socialized to feel shame, embarrassment, and even fear about sharing myself this way because of my disability, I experienced conflicting emotions about the potential ramifications.
Spasticity is common with many types of cerebral palsy (CP). Everyone handles spasticity differently, and spasms vary depending on the extent of CP. Because I have athetoid mixed CP, spasms are part of my daily life. In this column, I’d like to share some tips that I find helpful…
The emergency room is not anyone’s idea of a desirable destination. When living with chronic health conditions, it is not merely undesirable, it can be a dangerous place to be. When I consider the potential repercussions of going to the hospital, I often wonder if the effort is worth…
When a family member was recently diagnosed with a potentially hereditary condition, I felt a pang of fear. Given my overwhelming list of daily symptoms and health issues, the threat of another diagnosis loomed. I’ve learned there is no cap on chaos or arbitrary line drawn between a manageable and…
Cerebral palsy brings out the worst in even the common cold. Since I was a little girl, I’ve seemed to catch colds easily. I need many people to assist me with my personal care, and with that additional contact comes extra germs that can lead to illness. Colds aren’t pleasant…
In our society, we have many stipulations about the “right” conditions to love one another. So much of popular culture rhetoric revolves around the ego. Will he say it back? Should I wait for him to say it first? What if he doesn’t love me, too? On and on spins…
I recently read a column from a few years ago about a woman with a disability who was told by TSA agents at an airport that she should be happy her husband chose to marry her. Sadly, even though we’re living in the 21st century, people with disabilities still…