Di$@b!lity Is Not a Bad Word.

Hello Everyone. I apologize for my absence, but for the past montth I have been traveling around and out of the United States. Now that I am offically back, I plan to have a more concrete posting schedule for the summer and from now on that will be Tuesdays and Thursdays. This blog post might be triggering for some, so anyone that is easily triggered by talk of disability and what it entails, I recommend skipping this post for now.

Lets get into it. What is disability? What constitutes a person as having a disabilitty? Is one born with a disability or does it come over time? Are disabilities chronic? Today,, as it is the month of Disability Awareness, all these questions and anymore that y’all might have (leave any comments below) will be answered.

Firstly, by dictionary, Disability is defined as: “a physical or mental condition that limits a persons movements, senses or activities.” That’s right everyone, someone doesn’t have to be in a wheelchair or connected to an central line to have a true disability. In fact, most of the disabilities in our world are invisible to the genral population. Just because you can’t see it, doesn’t mean it isn’t there.

The second point is a common misconception tthat a person is born disabled. That couldn’t be further from the truth. This isn’t to say that all people with disabilties are born fine, in fact, that is mostly the opposite. For the most part, many people who have physical disabilities are born with them, but for many with mental illnesses those either are accquired over time, or if they are present at birth they usually tend to worssen as time goes on or circumstances change. Now remember, I can speak for everyone with a disability because every person is unique, I am just here stating the “usual” what is common of people with disabilities.

The third question worth answering is “Are disabilities chronic?” For most, the answer sadly is yes. But for the few with disabilities that is not always the case. Everyone is unique and therefore has unique circumstances.

Probably the question I get asked the most is “how do you feel about being disabled?” or “would you change your vision if you had the chance?” The truth is, I feel great about being disabled. I couldn’t ask for a better life. Sure, I could have more sight, be able to drive and not have to use that obnoxious cane, but would I be the same person? Would I be as strong? As brave? Or as fearless? I can say without a doubt, no. I wouldn’t be the same person with the same grit and determination. Although disability has taken so much from me, it has also given me a life I find worth living. And as for changing my vision, the answer is no. Although being visually impaired is hard, painful and a constant struggle, it is also my biggest blessing. Sure, there are challenges, but if I sat in my bed thinking of all those challenges instead of thinking of all that vision impairment has given me, I wouldn’t be as strong.

I like to think of my vision impairment as my superpower and my cane as my undercover weapon. I am able to get to the front of the customs line in the airport in about 2 minutes flat. I pass through security like it is an open gate. Although I might sound like I am bragging here, the truth is, I just want people to see the fun parts of disability and what it has brought me. I get to sit in the front row of almost any concert, and lines rarely exist for me. So instead of thinking how I can’t drive, I think of the perks of being the wing-man in the passenger seat. I am able to talk, text and nap without any concerns.

Disability is hard, but not impossible. To anyone out there with a invisible disability or someone who might be connected to an IV pole, know that your disability gives you super powers and makes you unique. Happy Disability Awareness Month to everyone out there with or without a disability and remember everyone has struggles whether they are visible or not. Not to say eveeryone has a disability, but everyone has struggles and is someoone is unique as well. When you feel down, look at this quote:

“Problems are not stop signs, they are guidelines”