I used to love this picture. We were at that little winter lights festival downtown, bundled up, sipping overpriced hot cocoa, and for once, I wasn’t overthinking how I looked…
WE NEED TO STOP ASKING KIDS WITH DISABILITIES AND THEIR FAMILIES TO “BE STRONG” ALL THE TIME
I can’t count how many times someone’s told me, “You’re so strong,” like it’s a compliment, like it’s the only option. I smile and nod, because what else am I…
HE’S BEEN “VISITING HIS MOM” EVERY WEEK—BUT THIS WOMAN ISN’T HIS MOM
When he first told me about her, I didn’t think twice. “I go see my mom every Sunday,” he said, like clockwork. He’d bring her flowers, sit and talk, sometimes…
I COULDN’T WAIT FOR OUR WEDDING DAY – TO FIND OUT HE WASN’T LEGALLY DIVORCED YET
I should’ve known something was off when the officiant kept glancing between us like he was waiting for a punchline. We were standing in front of Lake Crescent, sun shining,…
GRANDPA STARTED ACTING WEIRD AT FAMILY DINNER—THEN HE CAME BACK WITH A STACK OF CASH
It started with the mashed potatoes. Grandpa was unusually quiet during dinner—not his usual grumpy-adorable self, just staring at his plate like he forgot what food was. We thought maybe…
I LET MY CHILD PICK THEIR GENDER—AND DIDN’T TELL ANYONE FOR FOUR YEARS
When my kid was three, they told me their name wasn’t their name. I was brushing their hair after a bath, the way I always did, and they looked at…
MY TODDLER LANDED IN THE HOSPITAL—ALL BECAUSE OF A SIMPLE KISS
It was just a kiss. One little peck on the cheek, like I’ve done a thousand times since the day she was born. She leaned into me in the kitchen…
KIDS AT SCHOOL CALL MY DAUGHTER AN ALIEN—BUT THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHAT SHE’S REALLY CAPABLE OF
It started with whispers in the hallway. Then came the giggles. One kid even barked the word “alien” right in her face during recess. I found out when she came…
I’M IN A WHEELCHAIR—AND HE ASKED ME OUT IN THE MOST UNEXPECTED WAY
Dating is weird when you’re disabled. People either act like you’re invisible, or they treat you like you’re made of glass. I’ve heard it all—“You’re so brave,” “I could never…
I MARRIED MY HUSBAND ON HIS DEATHBED—AND THEN A MIRACLE HAPPENED
We always joked that we’d get married in jeans, barefoot in the backyard, with barbecue and beer instead of cake and champagne. We weren’t fancy people. Just two hearts that…