Years ago, as I was growing into a stronger sense of disability identity and gaining a deeper understanding of ableism, I read an article that scared me out of my mind. Dr. James Levine, a Mayo Clinic endocrinologist, sounded the alarm on sitting: “There’s a glob of information that sitting is killing us…You’re basically sitting yourself […]
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The Americans with Disabilities Act just turned 28 and I have some thoughts about it.
Every year, when the anniversary of the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) rolls around, I find myself wondering how much further the Disability Rights movement has come in the years since the elder President Bush signed it into law. These days, activists seem to be playing a game of whack-a-mole, trying to […]
Start Your Own Website
Without a doubt, the most common question I’m asked about Words I Wheel By is “how did you get started?” I think there’s a common misconception that starting a blog or creating a website is a difficult process, but it doesn’t have to be! If you want to share your words and your passions, I’m 100% […]
Is the Restroom Accessible? That’s Up in the Air
When you’re getting ready to go on a flight, what’s on your last-minute to-do list? Mine looks a little something like this: Make sure I packed enough underwear Charge my Kindle Start limiting the amount of liquid I drink Does that last one seem a little strange to you? Well, for wheelchair users who are […]
“There’s No Room For You Here.” – On Encountering Discrimination
I have a little tradition to search for handmade jewelry when I travel, usually rings or earrings. It’s my favorite way to bring home a piece of where I’ve been. Since I just visited New Mexico for the first time to join my family in celebrating my cousin’s wedding, I was especially excited to see […]
A Letter to My Younger Self in Honor of International Women’s Day
Shortly after my first love and I broke up in 2013, I wrote a letter to my younger self. At the time, I intended to bury it away somewhere to be forgotten, as it was just meant to be a private way to help myself heal. But every couple months or so, I’ve found myself […]