“‘Why don’t you do something normal for once?’ They would pretend to be interested in what I was doing but then talk to me like a baby and leave to go laugh with their friends. All of this was really confusing at the time, and I’m only just starting to realize how awful some of these people actually were.”
‘I’ve always felt like everyone else was given an instruction manual to life, but not me.’: Autistic student shares diagnosis, unmasking journey
‘My mom was told I’d never have a normal life. I was never going to have kids and would be deaf by 16.’: Woman with Osteogenesis Imperfecta defies odds to have miracle baby boy
“I still could barely move. ‘What on earth was she thinking having a baby?’ None of it mattered to me. I was too busy in love with my little miracle.”
‘After going through that miscarriage, I resolved to never ‘try’ or even pray to have another baby ever again.’: Miscarriage survivor welcomes rainbow twins, one with Down Syndrome
“’What if no one accepts our babies?’ Mark looked me right in the eye and said, ‘WE will accept our babies! We will love them just like we would any other baby, and Lyndi will love them both just as much. This is our little family. They will be perfect!’”
‘Life was fun until my mother passed away. Suddenly, at 11, I had to care for my 4 younger siblings.’: Abuse survivor shares foster care experience, POTS diagnosis
“I received my 11th concussion playing volleyball. Previously, I had 10 concussions from child abuse. My comorbidities and symptoms increased to the point I had to take mandatory bed rest.”
It’s Time To Stop Treating People With Disabilities Like Mythical Creatures
“Society has decided what I can and can’t do. Society has decided I am a fragile creature incapable of looking out for myself. We are yearning to be heard and understood. Instead of looking to us for inspiration, why not find ways to empower us?”
‘I can live the life I want because I have Violet by my side, living it with me.’: POTS warrior shares how service dog helped her find her worth
“I lost the ability to walk; I couldn’t stand more than 10 minutes without passing out. I couldn’t eat without severe pain, and my brain felt like it was constantly trying to come out of my eyes. My body found new levels of fatigue, leaving me bedridden most days. The day I brought Violet home, I had no idea the potential contained in this little ball of energy.”
‘Cars kept passing, people kept walking, all while I was still asking for help.’: Wheelchair user shares saddening experience, important reminder of accessibility and kindness
“The boy asked if they should help me. His dad walked away laughing. That was a moment that can’t be undone.”
‘I let her cry over her son. Because what she’s feeling has nothing to do with me.’: Disabled mom discusses complexities of Disability Pride
“Disability Pride is a journey. It’s messy, chaotic, disorganized. But my pride is my own, and no one gets to touch that.”
‘I came home crying in pain because my joints felt like they were on fire.’: Woman shares long, painful journey to hEDS diagnosis
“This journey has taken me 10 years, countless appointments, oceans of tears, and an entire community.”
‘I like my tics, and I don’t want any of them to go away!’ It was a moment I will never ever forget.’: Mom to son with Tourette Syndrome shares his journey to become his own biggest advocate
“He has changed me into a better person, a better mother. He is my hero.”