Disabled, in the eyes of many is a dirty word because it shines a light on the differences of our world, and when we acknowledge difference, we must acknowledge privilege - and that opens a whole other can of worms.

Power is tricky to navigate; to understand it you have to lay the groundwork for what makes you powerful in the first place.

As a disabled person, I resent the idea that we, in all forms and severities, should be punished for what is out of our control.

My relationship with God is now healthier than it has ever been, because before I thought I deserved a cure, or miracle like those described in the Bible. If God is a healer, why won't he heal me? What I know now is that there is a purpose behind his every action and the actions of his son, and I don't have to look to be healed in order for my own happiness and a life lived well.

Trying is an art even when you try and fail every time you get up and keep going. When you stop dreaming and fight for what you want and what is necessary that's when the real change and growth begins.

It is my belief that sometimes we keep secrets and our deepest insecurities because we believe that if other people found them out they would agree and believe them to be true, too.

There is power and excitement in reclaiming things that were once used to hurt or demean you.

That’s the funny thing about having something you can’t change; you can aim for aloofness, but that lends itself to obsession and frustration that people absolutely pick up on.

I, too, feed into the idealization of youth and the ability to do things ‘young people should be able to do’ despite the fact that I know that’s ableist bullshit.