My mother has been living with multiple sclerosis (MS) since age 13, and has been on heavy treatments since her diagnosis. Because she was diagnosed at a very young age, she always felt different and isolated from her peers, and…
“Time. That word has taken on a completely new meaning when you have a disability. And, if you have a relationship with someone with a disability, it will take on a new meaning for you, too." In 2009, Alicia Reagan was diagnosed…
Even though she grew up with two brothers with autism, Singaporean social entrepreneur Debra Lam didn’t always have a positive view of disabilities. Even though she knew about their autism from a very young age, she merely accepted that her…
Identical twins Adrianna and Olivia may look alike, but they have a few differences. For instance, Adrianna is a swimmer, and Olivia loves theater. But there’s another difference that isn’t just about these girls’ individual interests. Olivia was born with cerebral…
In May of 2000, I fell asleep at the wheel with my youngest daughter in the passenger seat. Beth, fourteen years old, was paralyzed from the chest down with a C6-7 spinal cord injury. Sports were just one thing of…
If you know an individual or a family who is facing a life-changing crisis, take a look at these tips. Kristen’s husband Jeff became a ventilator-dependent quadriplegic following a diving accident in 2013. Kristen has both the helpful and not-so-helpful things her family experienced…
“Nothing in my accomplished life prepared me for the morning of May 27, 1999 when I walked into an Intensive Care Unit to find my 20-year-old son alive only because of life support machines of every type.” Laquita Conway's…
Dance and disability are integral to my identity. A shift in roles and identity My parents grew up in communist China in the 1960s and were the first in their families to leave the country and raise children in America.…
At 27 months old I was given a sibling. My brother, Glen. New Zealand – 1984. These are my personal experiences and views on having a sibling with a disability. I’m sharing this to encourage awareness. I aim to avoid motivational quotes and…
If you find yourself getting ready to visit a friend or loved one in the hospital, here’s three tips to make your visit a successful one! Plan Ahead. It’s always a good idea to call, text, or email in order to…