Tag: HEALTH

Disability

Healthy You, More Independent You: Financial Health Counts Too

OUR BEAUTIFUL CHALLENGES

I was recently looking back through my blog and realized I haven’t written in my Healthy You, More Independent You series in a while. I usually focus on food and nutrition in this space—but you know what else belongs here?

Financial health.

Financial health, just like physical health, plays a huge role in independence.

I’ve always been honest that healthy eating hasn’t come naturally to me. Right now, though, I’m working very hard on that part of my life. I’m seeing a nutritionist and using MyFitnessPal, and for the most part, I’m doing well. Could I do better? Of course. But I’m showing up, making better choices, and doing what I can.

Along with nutrition, I’m also going to speech therapy to strengthen muscles that are affected by cerebral palsy. That work matters. It’s part of taking care of my body and investing in myself.

Now that I finally feel like I have a better handle on the nutrition side of my health journey, I’ve realized something important:

It’s time to work on my financial health, too.

Years ago, in my 20s, I relied heavily on credit cards. I put myself into so much debt that my parents had to help me get out of it. At the time, I didn’t fully understand the long-term impact of those choices.

Now that I’m on my own, debt is my responsibility. But I’ll be honest—I still find myself going to the “Bank of Mom” or asking my brother for help at least once a month. They are willing to help, and I’m grateful for that support, but I also know it isn’t right—and it isn’t helping me grow.

If I want true independence, I need to take responsibility for my financial health the same way I do my physical health.

One of the biggest things I’m learning is the importance of prioritizing. I need to be more intentional about how I spend money—what I truly need versus what I simply want in the moment. Just like food choices, financial choices add up.

I know saving is important, even though I live on a very limited budget that doesn’t allow much flexibility. For a long time, that made me feel like saving wasn’t possible at all. But I’m learning that saving doesn’t have to be all-or-nothing.

Right now, I can save $50 a month.

It may not seem like much, but it’s a start. And starts matter.

This journey isn’t about perfection. It’s about awareness, accountability, and small steps forward. Just as learning healthier eating habits takes time, patience, and grace, building healthier financial habits does too.

A Healthy You isn’t just about what you eat.
A More Independent You isn’t just about living on your own.

It’s about caring for your whole life—your body, your choices, and your future.

I’m learning that independence isn’t something you wake up with one day—it’s something you practice.

Some days I practice it well. Other days, I fall short. But every small step counts, whether it’s choosing a healthier meal, strengthening my body in therapy, or setting aside $50 even when it feels tight.

Financial health, like physical health, isn’t about shame or perfection. It’s about honesty, effort, and believing that I am capable of caring for myself—one decision at a time.

And today, that’s enough.

Disability

WHY I CREATED OUR BEATIFUL CHALLENGES

OUR BEAUTIFUL CHALLENGES

🌻 Hi, I’m Marie — and This Is Our Beautiful Challenges

Hi, I’m Marie.
I’m really glad you’re here.

I have cerebral palsy, and I graduated with an Associate Degree in Human Services, along with a certificate in Recreation Therapy with a concentration in gerontology.

But my education goes far beyond classrooms and textbooks.

My greatest teacher has been my lived experience with disability.

Living with cerebral palsy has shaped how I see the world. It has taught me the importance of advocacy, the power of dignity, and the deep need for independence — not just physically, but emotionally and socially as well.

For much of my life, I had to learn how to speak up for myself. I learned what it feels like to need support — and what it feels like when that support is missing. I also learned how life-changing it can be when someone truly listens.

Those experiences planted a seed.

That seed became Our Beautiful Challenges.

🌻 Why I Created Our Beautiful Challenges

Our Beautiful Challenges was created from the belief that disability is not something that needs to be fixed, hidden, or explained away.

It is something that deserves understanding.

This space exists to remind us that:

  • disability does not erase worth
  • needing help does not mean lacking independence
  • challenges can exist alongside joy, purpose, and strength

Too often, people with disabilities are expected to prove themselves, justify their needs, or minimize their struggles.

Here, you don’t have to do that.

Here, your experiences matter.

💛 What You’ll Find Here

This blog is a place for:

  • personal stories and reflections
  • conversations about disability and advocacy
  • encouragement for independence and self-confidence
  • reminders that you are not alone
  • honest discussions about the hard days — and the hopeful ones

Some posts may be educational.
Some may be emotional.
Some may simply be reminders that your journey is valid.

All of them come from the heart.

✨ What I Believe

I believe everyone deserves:

🌻 support without judgment
💛 connection without barriers
🤍 dignity in every stage of life
✨ the opportunity to live a meaningful and fulfilling life

No matter their abilities.

Our lives may come with challenges —
but they are still beautiful.

Seeing the beauty between our challenge

Disability

CHOOSING MATURITY, BUNDARIE, AND SELF-RESPECT

OUR BEAUTIFUL CHALLENGES

Independence and disability can exist at the same time.”

Sometimes, where I live, people don’t always understand me or the difference between their behavior and mine. It’s frustrating living in a place where I’m often the only one who truly knows what it’s like to live with a disability from birth.

Living in low-income housing that serves people 55 and over and people with disabilities comes with its own challenges. Sometimes I wish I lived in a building that wasn’t assisted living, but instead was centered around people with physical disabilities — a place where independence is respected, not questioned.

When I first moved here, there were times I felt deeply lonely. No one really understood me, and some people didn’t want me here because they believed I was “too capable” to live on my own. That hurt, because independence and support can exist at the same time.

Being in this building, surrounded by so many different personalities, has taught me something important. Often, people assume that the person who stays calm — the one who doesn’t argue, doesn’t react, doesn’t act like a child — is weak. But in reality, that person is usually the bigger one.

Staying mature when others don’t can be one of my greatest challenges. Sometimes it feels like people are watching, waiting for me to fall apart — as if seeing a disabled person lose control would prove their belief that people with disabilities shouldn’t be independent. That pressure is heavy, and it’s unfair.

I have worked my entire life to manage my emotions — not because emotions are wrong, but because I don’t want them used against me. I don’t want to be labeled as emotionally incapable on top of everything else. I don’t want my feelings turned into proof that I can’t handle my own life.

There are moments when I would love to give in and tell people off. But I don’t, because I hold myself to higher boundaries. By putting boundaries on myself, I am empowering myself. I am choosing not to give in to what others want from me — not because I can’t control myself, but because I can.

I refuse to let people win by pulling me into reactions that don’t reflect who I am. My restraint isn’t silence — it’s strength. My boundaries aren’t weakness — they are self-respect.

I know who I am.
I’m responsible.
I’m strong.
I’m growing.

I don’t need to prove my independence by pretending I don’t need support. And I don’t need to hide my disability to earn respect. I deserve to be seen as a whole person — not judged by appearances, assumptions, or misunderstandings.

I choose respect.
I choose peace.
I choose myself.

Disability

Why Society Needs to Stop Grouping Disabilities and Aging Together

OUR BEAUTIFUL CHALLENGES

There are many different kinds of disabilities in the world, and I live with a physical disability just like so many others. One of the biggest frustrations I have with today’s society is how often people lump physical disabilities together with age-related disabilities. For some reason, society places the disability community and senior citizens in the same category, as though our lived experiences automatically line up.

I understand that aging brings changes—new aches, pains, and challenges. But seniors will never experience even half of what someone born with a physical disability goes through over a lifetime. So why are these two very different communities treated as one?

Yes, age-related limitations may qualify as disabilities, but they are not the same as being born with a disability or acquiring one early in life. What bothers me is that society doesn’t see the difference. Instead, they pile everyone with any type of disability into one group, as if we all face the same struggles and need the same kind of support.

I say this with love because I genuinely care about seniors. I study gerontology and have a passion for the elderly. And I respect disabilities that aren’t physical—mental health, cognitive, and more. But when you put people with completely different abilities and needs together in the same low-income building just because society doesn’t know where else to place them, it doesn’t work.

I know this firsthand. I’ve been living on my own for five years with cerebral palsy in a low-income rental building. It gets overwhelming—especially when I’m the only one here with a lifelong physical disability. Through this, I’ve learned something important:
There is a significant difference between being born with a disability, having a disability from aging, and having a mental or cognitive disability.

These differences matter. They shape our everyday lives, our independence, and the support systems we need.

There has to be a middle ground—a place for physically disabled adults who are independent, low-income, and not elderly. A place where we’re not forced into environments that don’t reflect our needs or our lived realities.

We deserve communities that see us clearly—not ones that group us together because it’s easier.

Disability

Finding Strength in Movement: My Journey With the YMCA Parkinson’s Program

OUR BEAUTIFUL CHALLENGES

I’ve always been someone who enjoys learning how the brain works. Living with cerebral palsy has made me curious about anything related to the brain and movement. But I never expected to be invited to join a YMCA program designed for people with Parkinson’s disease. At first, I was scared to participate because I didn’t know much about Parkinson’s. But then I thought, what the hell, and decided to try it. What I learned surprised me—our disabilities are more similar than I ever imagined.

A few weeks ago, I wrote a blog called “My Path to Peace Starts at the YMCA – Our Beautiful Challenges”, where I talked about ending my week with Tai Chi and meditation. Then I wrote “Fire Up Mondays – Our Beautiful Challenges,” describing how I kick off my week at the YMCA. So, what happens during the rest of the week? Well, besides my Monday and Friday routines, I’m also there on Tuesdays and Thursdays for a class called Movement for Parkinson’s Disease.

I don’t have Parkinson’s, but I do have cerebral palsy—and this class has been surprisingly perfect for me.

Understanding Parkinson’s Disease

For anyone who may not know, Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological disorder that affects movement, coordination, balance, and sometimes mood and thinking. It develops when the brain cells that make dopamine—a chemical responsible for smooth, controlled movement—begin to break down.

Despite being different conditions, Parkinson’s and cerebral palsy share some similarities. They’re both neurological, and both benefit from similar types of physical activity. Many of the exercises in this class support balance, reflexes, strength, and overall mobility—things that help both disabilities in many of the same ways.

What Is Movement for Parkinson’s Disease?

The program teaches that “physical activity seems to slow the disease process, decreasing pain associated with Parkinson’s Disease. Exercise through gentle, deliberate movements can help prolong independent mobility, improve sleep, mood, memory, and overall quality of life.”

Every month, our instructor changes up the routine, but we consistently focus on balance, mobility, stretching, and—even unexpectedly—voice work.

You might be wondering, Why voice?
As Parkinson’s progresses, many people experience softer speech. When I learned this, I joked with the class that I’m the complete opposite—my voice gets louder as I get older because of cerebral palsy!

Some months, we move through 30–40-second stations designed to target different mobility challenges, like bending, balancing, sit-to-stands, core work, and light weights. Honestly, it feels a lot like the physical therapy I grew up doing.

More Similar Than Different

The more time I spend in this program, the more I see the parallels between Parkinson’s and cerebral palsy—not just in symptoms, but in how movement improves them. The workouts benefit both conditions in incredibly similar ways. And even though we all come from different experiences, we move together with the same purpose: to stay strong, stay mobile, and stay connected.

In many ways, this class has become another part of my beautiful challenge—a reminder that movement isn’t just physical. It’s a community. It’s courage. It’s learning. And it’s choosing to show up, even when you’re scared.

Disability

PROTECTING YOUR PEACE IN A NOISY WORLD

OUR BEAUTIFUL CHALLENGES

“Peace doesn’t mean life is quiet — it means finding calm within the noise.”

Lately, it’s been challenging for me to write non-fiction. I’ve been doing more fictional writing because it takes my mind off what’s going on in the world. I’ve also been spending more time meditating — really, doing anything that helps me focus on something positive.

There’s just so much happening around us right now. So much information being thrown at us all at once, so many opinions and points of view. It can be hard to know what to think or where to stand. Sometimes, I even question myself — wondering if I’m being influenced by one side or the other. That’s how I feel about life in the world these days.

But this isn’t a blog about which side of the aisle I’m on, or an attempt to persuade anyone to see things my way. Because, let’s face it — that’s what makes the world go round. If everyone thought the same way, it would be boring. Whether we agree or not, we’ve all seen how what’s happening in the world affects each of us in one way or another.

For me, it’s about finding ways to protect my peace — to keep from being consumed by everything going on around me. When too much is coming at us all at once, we have to learn not to force ourselves to take it all in.

Here are a few simple ways I’ve found to quiet the noise:

Meditation: After a long day of listening to or scrolling through the news and social media, unwinding with meditation is a great way to decompress. It doesn’t have to take long — even ten minutes can help clear your mind and reset your energy.

Reading: A good book can take you anywhere you want to be — far away from the chaos of the day.

Music: Turn it up and dance out the worries. There’s something freeing about moving to your favorite song and letting the stress melt away.

Exercise: Sometimes, all you need is to sweat the day’s worries out. A walk, a stretch, a workout — anything that gets your body moving can do wonders for your mind.

I could make pages upon pages of ideas to help clear your mind from everything you hear throughout the day, but it all comes down to one thing: protecting your peace.

We live in a world where information never stops — it’s loud, fast, and sometimes overwhelming. But you have the power to step back. You can choose when to listen, when to unplug, and when to breathe.

Taking care of your peace isn’t ignoring the world; it’s preparing yourself to face it with calm and clarity. Because when you nurture your inner peace, you see the world more clearly — and you respond with love, not fear.

Disability

FIRE UP MONDAYS

OUR BEAUTIFUL CHALLENGES

Last week, I shared about My Path to Peace Starts at The YMCA. This week, I’d like to discuss Fire Up Monday. Mondays are a choice between two very different classes: Pilates Mat or AOA (Active Older Adult). Both occur simultaneously, and each offers its own benefits.

The AOA class is chair-based, but don’t let that fool you—it’s no easy workout. It combines cardio, weights, and stretching, and whether you’re sitting or standing, you’re moving your body in ways that make a difference. Out of all the classes I take, AOA is the one that gets my heart rate up the most. I’ve been going off and on for a while, and every time I do, I feel the impact. The only downside? It’s tough to get into because spots fill up so quickly. I wish I could take it more often.

The other option is Pilates Mat. I discovered this class almost by accident. One day, I came to the YMCA just to use the fitness center, but I ended up there early and noticed the Pilates class about to start. A trainer encouraged me to ask the instructor if I could join, and just like my Tai Chi experience, she welcomed me right away. She was quick to adapt the exercises so I could participate. Instead of being on the floor, I sit in a chair with a ball behind my back and between my knees to work the same muscles as the others on mats. After that first class, I felt like I had just finished a full hour of physical therapy—I could hardly move the next day, but in the best way.

I genuinely enjoy both classes. Each one challenges me differently, and both bring unique benefits to my mind and body. Mondays may start out tough, but they always leave me feeling fired up.

Mondays remind me that strength comes in many forms. No matter which class I take, I walk out stronger than when I walked in—and that’s what keeps me fired up.

Disability

MY PATH TO PEACE STARTS AT THE YMCA

OUR BEAUTIFUL CHALLENGES

Fridays have become my favorite day of the week. At the YMCA, I get to spend two hours in Ta-chi and meditation—a time to let go, breathe, and recharge from everything the week has placed on my shoulders. Living with cerebral palsy doesn’t take away the fact that I face the same stressors and responsibilities as anyone else. In fact, stress can weigh heavily on me because it can cause my CP symptoms to flare up. That’s why this Friday routine has become such a vital part of my life—it’s my anchor, my reset button, my peace.

When I first heard about Ta-chi, I never imagined I would be able to participate. But with the proper modifications, I found my way in. I sit in a chair, moving as best I can, and still receive the same benefits as anyone else—just in a different way. By the time class ends, my body feels so light and relaxed, like a bowl of jello, and my mind feels clear.

What makes this journey so special is the support I’ve received. Many instructors have been willing to adjust the movements so I can fully take part. My Ta-chi instructor, especially, has been a true gift. She always makes sure I have a version of each movement that works for me. Sometimes, she’ll even pause to show me an alternative before continuing with the class. She recently added a second Ta-chi and meditation class that’s more chair-based, blending gentle movement with mindfulness. To me, it feels like pure balance—movement for my body, calm for my soul.

Fridays at the YMCA remind me of a powerful truth: wellness looks different for everyone. What matters most is finding a way to nurture your body and spirit—no matter your limitations, no matter your challenges. With creativity, support, and persistence, peace is always possible. And if I can find it in my own way, so can you.

Disability

SPEEKING TO MYSELF WITH KINDNESS

OUR BEAUTIFUL CHALLENGES

The way I would speak to myself with kindness will tell myself that I’m who I am. I have my mind, I can make my own choice, and I can live independently. I may have cerebral palsy, it may limit me at times, but it’s not who I am. My disability is only a disability; it’s a part of me just like my curly hair. Yes, I will never use my disability as an excuse for who I am. I have chosen to speak to those parts of myself with kindness, as much as I have spoken negatively in the past.

It has been and still is a challenge to speak to myself with kindness. Having a disability can be seen as a weakness. At this time in my life, I view it as a strength, but it wasn’t always this way. I grew to see that my disability was my strength. Until I learned to accept who I was, talking to myself with kindness was the one thing I hated doing the most. 

The negative talk from people paralyzes my sense of self. It wasn’t until I was so unhappy with who I was that I had an awakening of how if I kept these negative thoughts and talked myself into such a negative way, it stopped me from living. So, how did I change my thoughts to be kinder to myself?  

It took decades to destroy myself with negative talk, so why did I think it would take me a snap of a finger to switch my thoughts to positive ones?  It has taken me years to start changing my thoughts to a more positive outlook, so I can treat myself with the kindness I deserve. I only saw the weakest because of what people were filling my head with. I understand that other people were also telling us positive things, but we all know it can be hard to accept both the positive and the negative. Unfortunately, if you had to pick one over the other to stay in your mind, most likely it would be the negative things that people tell you that stay with you.

When those negative comments from people get into your mind, it can be easy to force yourself. All these negative thoughts detract from who you are and who you aspire to be. It can break how you speak to yourself. It also makes you believe you’re worthless. That is how I felt about myself.  

And how to treat myself with kindness and gratitude for who I am. “Romo wasn’t built in a day.” It took me years to destroy myself; why would it take me one day to rebuild? It took me years to rebuild myself, and still today, I  don’t think I’m 100%. 

I have to face my reflection every day. I have to remind myself every day that I am strong enough to face life.  When living with a disability, there are days I just want to let the disability take over. There are days when I know that it’s going to get more challenging as I get older, and I don’t want to be the teacher the rest of my life. However, I want to live life to the fullest, and if that means practicing kindness with myself every day, then so be it.

Disability

EMBRACING THE WEAKS PARTS OF MYSELF

OUR BEAUTIFUL CHALLENGES

I have been working on myself for the last couple of months. I know that the more weight I have on myself, the more the CP takes over, and the less independent I become. I hate to admit it, but I did go on a drug to help with another health issue, and it helps with my hunger craving. While this isn’t the end-all to my weight issues, being on the drug has slowed me down from overeating.

My weight is one of the weaker parts of who I am. I want to acknowledge and improve the areas of myself that need improvement, and strengthen them. My cerebral palsy was the weakest part of me. I thought I was stuck feeling that way for the rest of my life. Then, something clicked in me: If I befriended the weaker parts of myself, I could start to trust and embrace them. The first place to start was my disability. I had to merge who I was with who I wanted to be. It took me most of my life to realize that I had to overcome my challenges. Once I found strength, I started to feel free. By embracing my disability, I became best friends with this side of myself. I would now like to become friends with my weight.

It didn’t take overnight to become friends with my disability; it was a long process, just as it will be a long process to be comfortable with my weight. I know I need to be a healthy weight to help me maintain independence. I have lost a small amount already because I can get dressed better and my clothes are more comfortable; this is a small step. Steps are better than a big leap because no matter how long they take, they build the foundation for the outcome.

After building the foundation for losing weight, I also need to create a foundation for living on a budget. Life is getting so expensive, and like so many on disability, I live on a small budget. 

I have never been good with money. The next diet I need to go on is a financial diet. I’m now trying to learn how to make a budget that I can stick to. It has been hard because it means cutting out luxuries that make me feel happy, like going out to lunch or getting an iced hot chocolate. Although I miss these things, the real reward is that I’m saving money and I’m cooking at home, making healthier choices.

It’s not just about one thing here and there, but about all of these things added up. Every day that my clothes fit better and I have more mobility is a success. Every day that I can enjoy a walk (for free) or cook a meal at home is a success. Over time, all of these small victories add up to give me control over my life.