“I lost the brakes on the bike. I went headfirst and instantly, I was paralyzed from the chest down. There were fundraisers, such as dances and bake sales. Individuals stepped up to support my family. There were even anonymous donations to help make our home accessible.”
‘Can you hold my hand?’ Even though I couldn’t feel him, he gave me a sense of comfort. There was an army rooting for me’: Quadriplegic thanks community for support
‘Baby is out.’ Silence. ‘I can’t hear her crying,’ I said, right before I passed out. ‘Your wife could die.’: Mom and NICU baby beat the odds, ‘I don’t want other Black moms to become ‘statistics’
“I slid my finger into her tiny hand, and told her how loved she was. Slowly, her fingers started to curl around mine. ‘Oh my God, she’s breathing!’”
I Didn’t Know I Was Autistic Until Age 25, And It Was Terrifying
“After spending my entire life reassuring myself I’m not crazy, I hid my secret from everyone.”
‘I awkwardly unloaded 2 wheelchairs because a minivan of laughing teens pulled into the only available handicap spot.’: Special needs mom pens PSA on handicap parking
“Having children does not entitle you to a handicap parking spot.”
‘A boy asked about my scooter. ‘That’s what rich people ride when they’re lazy.’ I was mortified.’: Woman with Multiple Sclerosis overcomes negativity, ‘All I can do is keep looking forward’
“My teeth crumbled out of my mouth because of my weakened immune system and stress. I cried day and night. People told me yoga, exercise, Paleo diets, or meditation would magically cure me. Thanks Karen, but I don’t think your snake oil is going to cure this bad boy!”
‘I came out basically dead. The doctor broke my spine. ‘She won’t be able to do ANYTHING.’: Woman paralyzed at birth finds soulmate, ‘EVERYONE deserves love ’
“I was paralyzed, all due to a doctor who cared more about the college football game than delivering a baby. They said I wouldn’t be able to use the bathroom by myself, move, talk, or go to school.”
‘She didn’t sign any papers. Maybe I wasn’t given up. Perhaps, I was taken, or she was told I died.’: Adoptee searches for biological mother, answers to her past
“We were nationally unwanted children. It is not always the romantic picture of children being ‘saved.’ My only connection to my past is my genes.”
‘He let out a big sigh. ‘I feel funny asking, but does Autism last forever? Will he have it when we are old and in heaven?’: Mom to autistic son urges ‘have the emotional and honest conversations’
“I didn’t answer right away. I wanted to listen. He went on to say, ‘I remember when I was little mama and Cooper had it. I couldn’t figure him out. I used to think he was from a different planet because he screamed all the time.’ He sighed. ‘I just wish sometimes it would go away so we could talk.'”
‘What will my child become?’ My differences were thought of as less ‘cool.’ I was the target of bullying, both verbal and physical.’: Man with cerebral palsy says ‘you are more than the struggles you face’
“Once I made my way to middle and high school, things became a struggle. A disability is a difficult diagnosis, yes, but it isn’t the be-all, end-all of your story.”
‘Kerri, get a grip!’ the doctor said. I could only take Tylenol after surgery. I was sure I was going to die.’: Woman with arthrogryposis muscle disorder says ‘nothing is impossible with a fighter’s soul’
“I looked like a pretzel, but my mom wasn’t able to hold me for hours. Doctors started discussing ‘options.’ They told her I wouldn’t be able to do much. They said I would be better off if my parents decided to sign me over to the state. My mom immediately asked to be transferred.”
