Power of vulnerability vs Fear

Apologies that this entire post is in one paragraph. There was some sort of glitch to like fix it.

What are you afraid of?”It’s a question that feels like it belongs on a high-stakes reality show, but for those of us navigating the advocacy world and the disability community, it’s a question we live with every single day. We often feel pressured to be the “fearless” leaders, the ones who always have the answers and never let the weight of our diagnosis or our circumstances pull us down.True strength isn’t about the absence of fear; it’s about the courage to be vulnerable despite it.I found myself watching the new season of Fear Factor. Watching people face physical challenges made me reflect on my own life and the things society expects me to be afraid of. People look at my life and assume I must be terrified of losing my job, my caregivers, or even my future.The truth? I’m not afraid of those things. I’ve been living on a budget since I was 18. I’ve had my fair share of bad caregivers and I know how to direct my own care. I’m not afraid of a world that’s afraid of me. I’ve spent my whole life adapting, and I know that if I get a chance at a real paid job, I’ll be the employee of the month in thirty days.I am no longer afraid of my diagnosis as I was when I was a kid. I’m no longer afraid to ask for help from my best friend, Jesus Christ.So, if I’m not afraid of the “big” things society points to, what am I afraid of?If I’m being perfectly honest—and completely vulnerable—I’m deathly afraid of dying alone. As I approach 40 in a few years, I think about the partnerships and relationships we all long for.In our world, people often focus so much on surface values and physical appearance that they never look beyond to the person underneath. Relationships often stall because society doesn’t always see the person with a disability as a partner to build a life with. I’m not afraid of trying to have a relationship; I’m afraid I won’t get the chance.Why Vulnerability is Your SuperpowerThis is the part of the “limbo” that we rarely discuss in public. We talk about policy, we talk about resources, and we talk about legislation. But we rarely talk about the human desire for connection and the fear of being left behind.I share this because I believe that showing our vulnerability is where our true strength lies. When we hide who we are or what our needs are—like I used to hide my school tray in the back of the class so other kids wouldn’t see it—we are living in fear. When we step out and say, “This is who I am, this is what I need, and this is what I hope for,” we reclaim our power.Advocacy is about more than just fighting for the “big” things; it’s about fighting for the right to live a full, human life—complete with all its fears and vulnerabilities.I’ve shown you my heart. Now, I want to hear yours. What are you afraid of? What are the barriers—internal or external—that you’re working to overcome this week?Let’s stop hiding in the back of the room. Let’s bridge those gaps together and show the world that we are not a community defined by fear, but a community defined by the courage to live authentically.Keep on rolling. Keep on living.

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