Growing up with Death sounds so weird, right? How can I possibly grow up with Death? But that’s how I feel. Death has been in my life since I was in kindergarten. If you’re immersed in the world of people with physical disabilities, death might have been with you throughout …
Stare All You Want. I am Disabled and Beautiful.
One of the biggest complaints disabled people have about non disabled people are the stares. You know the ones where you are minding your own business and people stop in mid action to stare at you. I’ve chosen to use those stares to my advantage. I was born with a …
A New Tomorrow. Thank You Covid-19
A few weeks ago, I had a good old rant on Facebook bemoaning all the buzzwords that I would prefer never to see again. Buzzword terms like unpack, disrupt, power couple, finger-on-the-pulse, go-getters. The list is inexhaustible. Not long after my posting this on social media, my sister gave me …
Public Transportation: A Presidential Topic
Every time I watch a presidential candidate debate, I end up yelling at the television screen. It doesn’t matter which political party you want to support, when it comes to issues that affect the disabled community, we are rarely mentioned. When we are mentioned, we are used as one of …
Many Lives in One Lifetime
Sleep paralysis is when a person is aware but unable to move or speak. During an episode one may find it difficult to breathe and be overcome with fear. It had happened to me before and that was my first reaction upon waking up in the hospital. Set aside I …
Independently Dependent
Editor’s note: I met César Bazúa on Twitter. His story was interesting and I thought I’d give him a chance to share it with everyone. But I never imagined this. It’s truly well written and whether you have a spinal cord injury or not, it resonates with almost everyone. Read …
My Life Doesn’t Belong On Waiting List
Society sees having a disability as an enigma. There is nothing complex or misfiring when it comes to a person with a disability. Yes, we are constantly dismissed, looked over, and ignored. And by some far-fetched chance, we have heard it is simply just a stopgap to appease us. As …
Disabled People Penalized for Getting Married
I am elated that the Supreme Court ruled today in favor of marriage equality for same-sex and some transgender couples. Poetically, it is a day that is very special to me as it would have been my grandparents’ 72nd anniversary. I have never seen anyone as in love as my …
Stop Using the Term SPED
Stop using the word SPED! SPED means Special Education. Obviously, we all know how much able bodied people love the word “special” when referring to people with disabilities. This topic has been on my mind for years! I have done everything in my power to bring it to the attention …