Although there are many words to describe the disabled experience, I’ve been thinking a lot about the word “wariness” this week. Many of us in the disabled community are indeed wary of many things. We go through great lengths to anticipate pitfalls, challenges, and risks in our everyday…
I was manning three active burners on the stovetop, deep into my food preparation for the week. On one of the front burners was a pan of chicken skins sizzling in a pool of rendered fat. In a pot to the side, onions, carrots, and celery were sweating…
A scene from the animated Nickelodeon show “Avatar: The Last Airbender” has been on my mind recently. It’s an exchange between a character named Iroh, an old and wise retired general, and his nephew, Zuko, a young and…
About a year ago, my sister and I went to an arts and crafts store. Upon entering, I instinctively wanted to steer the shopping cart, an offer my able-bodied friends and acquaintances often appreciate. But before I could get a complete sentence out of my mouth,…
“We’re all Forky, feeling like we’re trash, but we’re also all Woody, trying to convince each other that we’re not trash.” A friend of mine tweeted those words shortly after seeing “Toy Story 4” last year. At the time, I thought it was a cute and…
“TrumpWearsAdultDiapers”: It’s a hashtag I first noticed trending in the United States on the morning of June 14. And I remember looking at it with mixed emotions. On one hand, I think it’s a small sign of progress toward…
The indoor track of my alma mater’s gym smells like rubber and sweat. It has a specific warmth to it. The repeated impacts of dozens of feet send shockwaves through the track and almost make it feel alive. It’s been more than 10 years since I’ve…
A couple weeks ago when I spoke with Steve O’Donnell, a board member of the Charcot-Marie-Tooth Association and founder of the nonprofit Therapies for Inherited Neuropathies, I was struck by his enthusiasm and can-do spirit.
“Just keep moving.” For Steve O’Donnell, a Charcot-Marie-Tooth Association board member and founder of the nonprofit Therapies for Inherited Neuropathies, those are words to live by. He calls them his life’s slogan. The slogan helps him self-motivate to…
During this time of self-isolation due to COVID-19, I’ve often thought to myself, “At least I can still play video games and watch esports.” And I know for many others, gaming has been a nice outlet and a source of comfort and…
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