You don’t have control over your body. For many of our body functions, we are entirely at the mercy of nature. We are as tall as our body manages. If our lungs lose function there is no amount of willpower that will bring that function back. If our brain takes a detour into some dark…… Continue reading Control vs Agency
Because I live in Disability World – the place where people with disabilities are exiled to so that society doesn’t have to think about us – I come at things from a different perspective than non-disabled folks. I do not have the expectation of health or ability. It is never far from my thoughts that…… Continue reading The reality of bodies
Sometimes I wish I could be less snarky and just embrace the soft voices and flowy fabrics of the typical healing spaces. I would love to see a barefoot woman with wild hair and loose clothing and a beatific smile and accept the positive vibes she offers. But I can’t get past the cynicism. I…… Continue reading When your body is your enemy
Like a lot of activists and community organizers, I got into the game to solve my own problems. I had experienced unjust treatment and as part of my healing journey I wanted to create justice by changing things for other people. This is a beautiful impulse, but if you stop there, you’re going to be…… Continue reading My liberation is bound up in yours
I started engaging with the disability community when Atti was a toddler. It was starting to become clear that he was going to be significantly impacted by Cerebral Palsy and my work as a community organizer showed me that if you need to meet some needs you should talk to the people directly affected. So…… Continue reading Lessons from the disability community
I tried everything. Isn’t that how every testimonial starts? “I tried everything until I found this one solution that I just happen to be selling to you now for the low price of…” But you cannot buy self love. You can buy pleasure. Or luxury. You can buy access to medical care. You can buy…… Continue reading New values to fight for us all