Author: OUR BEAUTIFUL CHALLENGES
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Traveling Has Changed as My Body Has Changed
Getting There: Traveling With a Disability — September Series I’ve never really been someone who travels a lot. But when I was younger and able to move around more freely on my own, traveling looked different for me. I remember taking the train into New York City with family and friends. We could get off…
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When Paratransit Isn’t an Option
Getting There: Traveling With a Disability — September Series Paratransit gives me an important way to get around and maintain my independence, but there are times when I can’t use it. Sometimes the rides are full. Sometimes I’m going somewhere outside of the service district. Sometimes I get a last-minute appointment and there isn’t enough…
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The Cast of Getting There
Getting There: Traveling With a Disability — September Series When I plan to go somewhere, transportation isn’t the only thing I have to think about. I also have to think about money. For me, taking paratransit currently costs $3.50 each way. That means a round trip costs me $7.00. Seven dollars might not sound like…
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How Long Can I stay
When Transportation Controls the Clock Getting There: Traveling With a Disability — September Series When you depend on paratransit, deciding what time you’re going somewhere is only half of the planning. You also have to decide what time you’re coming home—and sometimes you have to make that decision before you’ve even left your house. When…
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When Your Ride Determines
Getting There: Traveling With a Disability — September Series Depending on paratransit—or sometimes depending on other people for a ride—can be very frustrating. I can’t always wake up one morning and say, “I think I’ll go shopping today,” and simply go. Even something like a doctor’s appointment requires planning. If I realize on the 15th…
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A simple Outing Isn’t Always Simple
Getting There: Traveling With a Disability — September Series Why isn’t a simple outing always so simple when you have a disability? For the average able-bodied person, getting out of the house might not take much thought. You decide where you want to go, get yourself ready, grab what you need, and leave. For someone…
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A Thank You to the People Behind My Independent
Living Independently: The PCA Journey — Part Twelve Our Beautiful Challenges — Marie W.O.W.C.P. For the past several weeks, I’ve shared a lot about what it’s really like to have PCAs. I’ve talked about independence. I’ve talked about being my own boss. I’ve talked about trust, boundaries, communication, friendship, finding the right match, and what…
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What Makes a PCA Relationship Last Living Independently: The PCA Journey — Part Eleven Our Beautiful Challenges — Marie W.O.W.C.P. Finding the right PCA is one thing. Building a relationship that lasts is something else. Throughout this series, I’ve talked about trust, boundaries, friendship, communication, and even what happens when a PCA isn’t the right…
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When You PCA Is Also Your Friend
Living Independently: The PCA Journey — Part Nine Our Beautiful Challenges — Marie W.O.W.C.P. One of the unique things about being able to choose my own PCAs is that sometimes the person helping me isn’t a stranger. Sometimes they’re already a friend. On the surface, that sounds like the perfect situation. You already know each…
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When a PCA Isn’t the Right Match
Living Independently: The PCA Journey — Part Ten Our Beautiful Challenges — Marie W.O.W.C.P. One of the hardest things about managing your own PCA care is realizing that not everyone is going to be the right match. Someone can be a good person. They can have good intentions. They can genuinely want to help. And…
