We were safe for the time being, but it was no time to let our guard down. Levi peeked through the bushes, trying his best not to make a sound. He looked both ways down the street. All we could see was the crossing guard, Mrs. Hankins, letting children pass. “All good,” he whispered. “Come ...

Mom kept pacing the living room, back and forth, not saying a word. It would have been easier if she just had just come out and told us how disappointed she was, announced our punishments, and sent us to our rooms. She wanted us to apologize, to explain. Finally, I could not stand the silence ...

Dear readers, Let me apologize to anyone who has been wanting to hear more about therapy. I was hoping to present a fictional story that was rich in symbolism, but I couldn’t find the words for the ghost story and haunting of the main character. There is something that has haunted me for a long ...

Me Before You by Jojo Moyes is one of my favorite books, even though I hate how it ends. The novel focuses on the topic of suicide, and is about an adventurous, rich man named Will Traynor who ends up becoming a quadriplegic after a motorcycle accident. He struggles with accepting the challenges of being ...

Nothing feels more like a roller coaster than facing adulthood with the limitations of being disabled. I have been so stressed about every single thing lately. Small tasks always end up being bigger tasks. I never have enough money. I have to rely on others for most things. I honestly don’t feel useful in the ...

“For her next trick…” In many moments of my life, I have felt like people have viewed my disability as a performance act that fulfills their inspiration fix. “Oh, wow. You’re amazing!” “God bless you! you’re such a determined girl…” “No way! You’re a college graduate?” “Married? How incredible!” I’m not saying that receiving praise ...

My husband and I took a week-long trip to Washington, DC, in early July. It felt so surreal to visit The White House, the U.S. Capitol, and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.  It is incredible how much history each place has.  Visiting the Franklin D. Roosevelt Memorial was the most impactful part of the ...

I have struggled my whole life to find that one thing I’m more passionate about above all else. Growing up, I wanted to be everything from a teacher to a singer to a lawyer to an astronomer. When I was about 11, I decided I wanted to be a fashion designer, and this is the ...

Two years ago I kept seeing this post on Facebook with a list of things that people should stop telling people with chronic illness to do because it’ll make them better. The list included things like Yoga, exercise, eating better, more sleep, etc. It was basically a list of common things people suggest when a ...