On My Own Two — Young Lee

Share: It’s the reason I wore a T-shirt emblazoned with the words “Charcot-Marie-Tooth” to begin with: to spread awareness and to encourage questions. But when I heard a voice…

Share: Many folks are familiar with the saying that there is always light at the end of the tunnel. It’s a nice expression that refers to the fact that unfortunate circumstances are often temporary. But author and retired Navy SEAL…

Share: I never considered myself high-strung or irritable until I entered a spa for the first time last weekend. The employees spoke in such hushed and relaxed tones that I felt hyperactive and tense by comparison.  I was…

Share: I last sat on my piano bench over a year ago. For most of the past year, I had been neglecting the bench’s original purpose by stacking library books and old notes on it. But a few days ago,…

Share: Is it wrong for me to say that I find Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) undesirable? Is it entirely due to internalized ableism when I say I wish I did not have…

Share: I don’t like going to the gym. But, I like being at the gym. And I really love returning from the gym. I reconfirmed these facts last week. A few days ago,…

Share: Thoughts and memories of recess games and gym classes rolled into my mind last week as I flipped through the pages of “The Ables,” a young adult novel by Jeremy Scott…

Share: My paternal grandmother turned 97 this week. As much as I would have liked to be with her to celebrate her birthday, I’m trying to limit my in-person contact with the elderly during this chaotic time. But I’m glad…

Share: 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…

Share: 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…

Share: 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…

Share: 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…