Over the past couple of weeks, I have walked to the edge of my cliff of insecurities and leapt into the murky waters below. I broke a rule of mine on social media: I made a video of myself. I’ve avoided filming any videos of myself since the beginning of…
Employment is a huge obstacle for people with disabilities. I struggled with finding a job immediately after graduating from college. Discrimination is real when it comes to disability — please don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. I have cerebral palsy and have no way to hide it. A physical disability…
Social media has a way of concealing aspects of us that are otherwise apparent in daily life. Unless pertinent to disability awareness or advocacy, I don’t often talk about having a physical disability. I choose not to do so because my disability is not important to my self-image. In previous…
“Are you retarded?” The words hung in the air as I paused, consulting my 8-year-old reflection in the mirror of the school bathroom. I exhaled, my adrenaline surging, my hands shaking as I reminded myself that she wasn’t worth it. She wasn’t worth my well-memorized, sensitive speech about cerebral palsy.
I have a face, a countenance that I reserve for speaking with doctors who are quick to discount me and teachers who doubted my intelligence. It’s the same one I wore as a teenager in my individualized education programs. Behind my unwavering expression, I keep a mindset of determination…
Gratitude sounds easy, but it’s also easy to forget. We become absorbed in our lives and giving thanks is the last thing on our minds. But being thankful can make us happier. No matter your disability, there is always something for which to be thankful. I am happy despite…
Advocate. This was a badge I unconsciously affixed to my vest as a child. Watching my mother fight tirelessly for my educational rights, inclusion, respect, and dignity in every sphere colored my world. Translated to me through her actions, relationships with my doctors, teachers, therapists, and every other person…
Accessibility is a concern when you have a disability such as cerebral palsy. One step is like a hundred if you use a wheelchair or have mobility issues. I have tried to create an accessible home environment, but money is always an issue. If cost were not a problem,…
“Did you know you were going to get better?” His question reverberates through the phone line. Recounting what feels like a century during which I was bedbound conjures a spectrum of emotions. Tempering my words with gentle truth, I tell him that I didn’t. I explain that over a lifetime…
When someone has a disability, it’s easy to believe they have only one diagnosis. However, I’ve also had breast cancer, and I fight post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) every day. According to the American Psychiatric Association, PTSD is “a psychiatric disorder that can occur in people who have experienced or…