One of the aspects of being part of the disability community I love the most is sharing tips and tricks on adaptive living and accommodations. Around my home, there are quite a few accessibility adaptions that Andrew and I have made to make our space functional, safe and comfortable for us to reside.
Read MoreA somewhat common conversation occurs in the disability community, and it starts with the following question: if you could take a magical pill that would no longer make you disabled, would you take it? How someone answers is dependent mainly on how they feel about being disabled. Factors like where they are in their life's journey and other personal circumstances can impact their response.
Read MoreWhoever the executive team is at Target that is working hard to include disabilities in their advertising and children's fashion line should be applauded. I came upon this Huffington Post article today about a boy named Charlie who has Cerebral Palsy who saw a sizeable promotional picture of a boy standing with a walker. He was so happy to see an image of a boy to whom he could relate.
Read MoreI am not a morning person. I have never been. But only recently did I realize it is primarily due to my disability. Even if I wanted to be a 6 a.m. early riser, I could not sustain it. My body needs the additional hours to rest and recuperate. I need about 10-12 hours of sleep a night. If I were to try to adhere to a 6 a.m. or even 7 a.m. wake-up time, that would mean going to bed just after dinner the night before.
Read MoreSome people might think this weird, but I enjoy serving on jury duty. I feel it’s an honor to serve, and I see it as part of my duty as a community citizen to participate in the justice system when called. “To be judged among a jury of our peers” is a central tenant of our justice system.
Read MoreSelf-care is the idea that you need to prioritize your health and not feel selfish to do so. Particular emphasis on mental health is significant to avoid excess stress and burnout. Physical self-care involves taking rest breaks, getting enough sleep, and keeping properly hydrated and nourished.
Read MoreBeing part of the disability community, specifically the Disability Rights Movement, makes me proud of our history and leaders. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of trailblazing and pioneering men and women who gave so much of themselves for the betterment of us all at a tremendous personal sacrifice. My list of 10 is just a mere drop in the bucket. But ten is better than none.
Read MoreOctober is National Disability Employment Awareness Month. Public and private organizations have workshops, public awareness campaigns, host webinars, and other events to pay tribute to the accomplishments of disabled people in the workforce and support equal opportunity for all. Some of these events, unfortunately, include simulation exercises.
Read MoreNo one was maybe more excited for this past Monday to be November 1st than I was. I feel this way every year because November 1st means getting past my least favorite holiday, Halloween. Let me be candid: I hate Halloween. I know that I am probably in the minority on this and I’m okay with that. It was not always this way.
Read MoreOne topic that I have wanted to discuss here on the blog for a while now is internalized oppression in disabled people. I think it is a topic that does not get talked about enough in our community, for a couple of reasons. One reason is that it can be challenging and uncomfortable. The second reason is I think it is often misunderstood.
Read MoreI've been in and out of doctor's offices and hospitals enough over the last 45 years of my life that, at this point, I consider myself a Professional Patient. I think it is, in part, because of all my interactions (some good and some bad) that I am a strong proponent of patient advocacy. I think everyone, disabled or not, needs to take a proactive approach in managing their healthcare.
Read MoreMany disabled people have a desire to live as independently as possible. We want to maintain control over our spaces, our possessions, and how we live our daily lives. And not just control for control's sake. Independent living is not just about control. It is about maintaining a degree of autonomy and self-determination: two things that are often most at risk for being infringed upon because of our disabilities.
I vividly remember being six or seven years old, having just come home from one of my back surgeries, and all I could wait to do was tidy and organize my bedroom. Rearranging my toys, making room for the new stuffed animals I got as get-well presents, displaying my knick-knacks on my night-stand in just such a way that everything had its place. Sure, my back was sore, but that wasn't stopping me. I loved what I was doing.
Read MoreAccurate and diverse representation of disabled individuals in media is more than just a matter of fairness—it's a powerful tool for changing societal perceptions. Explore how positive portrayals in movies, TV shows, and literature can shift the narrative and foster a more inclusive world.
Read MoreIn a world that often emphasizes connectivity and inclusivity, the experience of isolation can be a profound and poignant one, particularly for individuals living with disabilities. The barriers to social engagement, physical accessibility, and even understanding can create a profound sense of loneliness that permeates many aspects of daily life.
Read MoreIndependent living is where disabled people can participate in day-to-day life, living where they choose and making decisions that lead to self-determination. Most non-disabled people take for granted opportunities they have regarding living arrangements, employment situations, means of transportation, social and recreational activities, and other aspects of everyday life.
Read MoreDeep in the halls of academia across the country, Disability Studies scholars and sociologists debate and discuss what it means to live a disabled life in today's society. To help frame these conversations in a specific or relative context, they have created what are called Models of Disability. As this article by Disabled World outlines, there are several models.
Read MoreWhile I don't pretend to have the greenest thumb in the world, every spring, I get in the mood to play in the dirt and do some gardening. Maybe it is the thought of growing my harvest, perhaps it sees all the garden supplies at the home improvement stores, and perhaps it is just a way to reconnect with my childhood and my father's love of gardening.
Read MoreCan you be disabled and healthy at the same time? Disability has a relatively universally accepted objective definition: an impairment of some sort. Whereas I think health can be more subjective. After all, what is good health? And I think there can be even more of a grey area when you bring in the word disease. I think you can have a disease that causes a disability, but you can be disabled and not have a disease.
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