I consider myself a feminist because I believe in the core principle of feminism: for men and women to be equal. However, many of my fellow disabled people do not identify as feminists because the wider women’s rights movement has consistently excluded disabled women. Many of the gains that non-disabled women have made over the years conveniently have not reached disabled … [Read more...]
How I Realized I’m Demisexual in a Sexual World
I’m demisexual. What does that mean? While asexual means that someone doesn’t feel sexual attraction at all, being demisexual means that I do not feel sexual attraction to a person unless there is a strong emotional connection. The inevitable response to this statement is generally, “But I don't think that anyone has sex unless they’re emotionally connected to the other … [Read more...]
How A “Special” Dance Class Helped Me Find My Beauty
Confession time: even though I shout disability pride and loving your body from the rooftops to anyone who cares to listen, I still have a certain amount of hatred for my legs. I have cerebral palsy, which means my legs have a particular golf-club-like quality to them. Long, rigid legs end in an ankle that doesn’t really move and a foot that resembles a plank of wood. My toes … [Read more...]
What Do I Do?! A Guide For Parents Introducing Disability to Their Children
As someone who majored in elementary and special education in college, I’ve known a lot of children. I also have four “surrogate little sisters” — four girls who are the daughters of close family friends. I’m no stranger to explaining my disability to children. Interestingly enough, I’ve found time and time again that it’s not the children who have a problem with my disability. … [Read more...]
At the Intersection of White Privilege and Disability
Despite being a white, female, disabled activist, rapidly approaching her mid-twenties, I am well aware that to most people, I look like a defenseless little white disabled girl. I am also keenly aware that I inhabit both privilege and dis-privilege in this body. On occasion, I use that image to my advantage. People don’t perceive me as a threat or someone trying to scam the … [Read more...]
Explaining Inspiration Porn to Non-Disabled People
Author's note: This piece was inspired by Explaining Rape Culture to Men (Hilariously). It is set up in Q and A format, with a non-disabled person as the questioner and a disabled person as the answerer/explainer. [Image description: I'm a fairly short white girl dressed in maroon graduation robes and a maroon graduation cap. Around my neck are blue and yellow honor … [Read more...]
Five Things Non-Disabled People Forget
As someone who was born with cerebral palsy – and who has acquired several other disability diagnoses over the years – I’m used to throwing a monkey wrench into everyone else’s plans. That isn’t meant to sound self-pitying. It’s just the way it is. Sometimes, even the most well-meaning of my friends will forget that my disabilities actually have an impact on my daily life. On … [Read more...]
