I never imagined that a single moment could redefine my life forever. At just 18, a gunshot during a carjacking left me paralyzed, altering the trajectory of my future in …
Embrace Success, Not Pity in Your Life
A friend once told me, “Be careful when someone makes life too easy for you. It’s not always because they care.” As physically disabled people, we need to keep this …
Don’t Look Too Disabled If You Want Inclusion
Let’s talk about something that’s been bothering me: the kind of inclusion we’re seeing these days isn’t exactly inclusive. Sure, there are more wheelchair users in ads, movies, and even …
The Problem with Disabled Influencers: Gatekeeping vs. Genuine Influence
In a world that celebrates inclusion and diversity, why do we allow double standards to persist in the influencer space? This issue becomes especially glaring when it comes to physically …
How To Deal with Unconscious Bias at Work
Unconscious bias creates an invisible hurdle that many physically disabled professionals face in the workplace. As a full-time public school teacher with a physical disability, I’ve seen firsthand how the …
Society’s Apathy Scares Me More Than Halloween
Ghosts, goblins, and things that go bump in the night? Nope, not scary. Haunted houses? Please, I’ve been navigating more terrifying spaces every day since birth. Honestly, Halloween’s frights are …
What are you going to be when you’re disabled?
Disability is one of the few conditions that doesn’t discriminate. You might be born with it, or you might acquire it later in life due to injury, illness, or even …
When Life and Loss Intersect: A Disabled Perspective on Legacy
About a week ago, I went for my daily walk, as I always do. But this time, it was late—after 8:00 p.m. It was already dark out. Normally, I go …
My Body Has Always Been Changing. Now My Mind Changes with It.
My body is my best friend and my worst enemy. No matter where I go, it’s there. Except when I dream. I don’t ever see my body. Don’t even know …