Category: Disability
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Cerebral Palsy: Myths Vs. Facts
What I Wish More People Understood About Living With CP There are many myths about cerebral palsy. Some come from people simply not knowing much about the disability. Others come from assumptions people have made for generations about what someone with a disability can and cannot do. As someone who has lived with cerebral palsy…
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Cerebral Palsy From the Inside-Part 2
Cerebral Palsy From the Inside — Part 2 Before It Was Called Cerebral Palsy: The Story of Little’s Disease For my entire life, I have known my disability by two words: cerebral palsy. But while researching the history of CP for this October series, I discovered something I had never known before. Before cerebral palsy…
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Why I’m Spending October Talking About Cerebral Palsy
💚 Cerebral Palsy From the Inside An October Series by Our Beautiful Challenges This October, I want to spend some time talking about something that has been part of my life since the day I was born: cerebral palsy. Cerebral palsy is a group of lifelong conditions that affect movement, muscle control, posture, and balance.…
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Packing for My Disability
Getting There: Traveling With a Disability — September Series Packing for a weekend away might sound pretty simple. You figure out how many days you’re going to be gone, pack a couple of outfits, some toiletries, and you’re ready to go. For me, packing for a weekend means thinking a few steps ahead because I…
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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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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 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…
