I held my breath as I squeezed the hands of the two girls next to me. My eyes were shut as I prayed silently and turned to my friend and said, “I really want this.” Right before they announced the winner I looked over and saw my mom smiling as …
Mom and Baby: No Regrets
SINGLE MOM Single and disabled is the foundation of my life. I never dreamed in a million year I’d be a mom with children and the very thought of it seemed unreachable and impossible. I was born with Osteogenesis Imperfecta Type 3, otherwise referred to as brittle bones disorder. It’s …
From a Mom to her Baby
Dear [Not-A-Baby-Anymore], One of the first questions that strangers ask when they see us together is, “Is that your daughter?” There is always an awkward pause that follows my usual response: “Actually, that’s my SON.” This unexpected answer really throws people off and their reaction is both amusing and priceless. …
A Wheelchair Wheel Conundrum
I was having one of the best conversation with a woman when I realized, once again, I was faced with an awkward moment, “The Wheelchair Wheel conundrum.” I had responded to a dating profile on an online dating site and the next thing I knew, I had been talking for …
Growing Up with Death
Growing up with Death sounds so weird, right? How can I possibly grow up with Death, something that is the total opposite? 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 …
Wheelchair Bound Only in Playing 50 Shades of Grey
Editor’s note: “The only time you can say I’m wheelchair bound is when I’m playing the lead role in Fifty Shades of Grey” was a meme we put out to illustrate our disgust at the phrase “wheelchair bound” used by the non disabled community. Maria R. Palacios agreed that it …
Disabled with an Addiction
“Just one more,” I think to myself. “The pain is really bad, so I have no choice.” That was my mantra. What I tried to convince myself was the truth, time after time. This is how my story begins, my story of addiction. It started innocently enough, I truly was …
Our Bodies Always Belong To Us
One of the most common issues we face as women with disabilities is establishing or re-establishing ownership of our bodies. Many of us are promptly conditioned to feel like our bodies do not belong to us. After all, an array of doctors, personal care attendants, providers, family members,
GMOs vs. Organic – Part 2
If you had the option of going to the grocery store to buy food that could prevent you from making so many trips to the doctor, would you do it? Would you do it if it helped you to cut back on medications? Would you do it if it gave …