In the second episode of February, Kevin breaks down the physical attributes that people try to reach daily. versus his physical reality. In this particular episode, Kevin expresses how he finds hope in the darkest moments. Don’t give up. Look forward and look up. Don’t forget to look up the term “disability hierarchy.”
Author: Kevin Núñez
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A Valentine’s Day Message
Happy Valentine’s Day! I hope this blog brings some joy to your day. Over the weekend, many couples celebrated Valentine’s Day, which is honestly my favorite holiday. Even though we should show love to our friends and family every day, it’s easy to forget in the hustle and bustle of life. That’s why having a special day dedicated to love is so important.
To me, Valentine’s Day isn’t about fancy gifts like flowers and chocolates. It’s more about showing genuine care and support for someone, even in small ways.
Now, let’s talk about something important: advocating for people with disabilities. Before we get into it, I want to be clear. Some people with disabilities may not be able to understand or consent to romantic relationships, and that’s okay. But for those who can, it’s important to challenge misconceptions about what they’re capable of.
1 Corinthians 13:4-5 NIV [4] Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. [5] It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
Years ago, people with disabilities were often kept out of sight in institutions. But things are changing, just like they did for the LGBTQ community. It takes time, but education and breaking down stereotypes are key.
Having a disability can make romantic relationships more challenging, but it’s not impossible. It just takes understanding and communication from both partners. There might be people who don’t understand or stare, but love knows no boundaries, whether one or both partners have a disability.
It’s important to see the person beyond their disability. I’ll share links to two couples who are in integrated relationships to show that it’s possible. I promise to keep talking about this topic regularly in my blog because awareness is important, just like having accessible facilities.
I’m sending love to everyone who needs it today, and I’ll see you next Wednesday!
Sources:
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Kevin for President
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A Believer
You may have noticed that the title of this blog is “A Believer. No, it’s not a profile on Imagine Dragons. I’m certainly not going to sing the song for you. This post would get flagged for inappropriate content if I did. “I live by faith, not by sight.” I want to tell you three things that I believe will happen in my life. I have no logical reason to tell you why these things will happen; in fact, the odds are none of them ever will. However, as Han Solo once said, “Never tell me the odds!” I’ve learned that this life is a journey. The problem is that most people give up on their journeys because they don’t get immediate satisfaction. The greatest things take time and effort.
2 Corinthians 5:7 NIV For we live by faith, not by sight.
My dad is a gigantic Mets fan. To his disappointment, I grew up a Yankees fan because all my friends were Yankees fans growing up in the mid-to-late 90s. I wonder how many followers I just lost by admitting that. Anyway, when Mets catcher Mike Piazza was inducted into the Hall of Fame, I watched it with my father. I can’t remember a word of what Piazza’s speech was, but I remember his father crying like a baby just because he was so proud of his son. Obviously, there is no Hall of Fame for the work I do, but if one day I get some sort of award, I believe I will give a speech in Spanglish and make my whole family cry. Parents and grandparents, please bring your tissues. The day is coming.
“You will find someone one day.” I find it really annoying when people say this to me, presumably because I have heard it since I was 17, and since I am 36, I am running out of “some days.” It is difficult to hope for someone special because it gets harder and harder to put yourself out there every time. I know I’m not alone. I also know that it can happen. I’ve seen it with my own eyes and experienced it to some extent. If the Israelites can walk 40 years in the desert, then I can wait a little longer. I think I will spend the next 24 hours just talking and getting to know a kind woman. I do not care if she spends the entire evening in a hazmat suit while curled up on her bed, as long as she can see the true me. What matters is the connection, not the sex.
The final one is somewhat, but not truly, new. I envision myself and my brother living in a house that is more like a duplex, where we can be together but still have our own space, or at the very least, be close enough to one another to be able to see one another when necessary. Without a doubt, my brother is smarter than I am. He is capable of directing his own care, so in some ways he can take care of himself. He reminds me of things most of the time. The issue is that, with the amount of support and physical accommodations, it’s extremely expensive. People never realize how expensive it is to actually have a disability. Disability is big business.
I know some of you think after reading this that I’m nothing but an ignorant fool, and I fully understand if you believe that none of this will happen to me. I know most days it’s hard to believe, but that’s why we have to believe. I can’t get the award for my family if I don’t put in the years of work for others first. No girl is going to show up at my front door waiting for me to take her away to a magic castle. The Extreme Makeover Home Edition TV show will not show up on my front lawn to design a house for my brother and me. I have to take the journey through all the highs and lows. It will not be easy, but nothing worth doing ever is. Please tell me in the comments: What do you believe? Thanks for reading, and have a great day.
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Hope for Children
As February begins, Kevin puts his focus on hope for children and how the future of society will go. Are children raised too fast thanks to television and other forms of media? Whose fault is it? What can we do about it? Hopefully, after listening to this, parents will be able to have a good conversation with their children Join the conversation today.
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Disability and the American Dream
Whether we like it or not, 2024 is a presidential election year. Now that we are most likely faced with a rematch, Americans will have to make a choice. It’s fair to say that President Biden has had his share of critics. His first term is not even over, but I don’t think many historians are going to put him in their top five of the best US presidents. I know I’m a few months early, but as a disability advocate, I have a different perspective. There are issues that matter to me that most people don’t think about. Most people don’t recognize disabilities until they’re affected by them. We finally have a president who has seen this underrepresented community.
“provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of liberty.”
free and both of the US ConstitutionBiden became the first president to improve the lives of people and families with disabilities when he vowed to support Home and Community Based Services (HCBS), which includes long-term services and supports. (LTSS) People with disabilities should live in their communities in the least restrictive environment. For some people with disabilities, they are locked away and forgotten. We must serve and protect those who are most vulnerable. Some may want us dead. We all have the same right to live.
Exodus 14:14 NIV [14] The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”
I am a capitalist. It is maddening to me that just because I was born with a disability, I am forced into a system of poverty. There is nothing wrong with being broke. What is wrong is that I, as an American, don’t have a chance to change that. The social security asset limit set in the mid-1980s has not changed. Under this administration, there has been serious discussion about raising it. I cannot have more than $2,000 in a bank account, so someone else can pay for my $50,000 wheelchair. How does that make sense? I want to live my American Dream, not exist off of the backs of others. There is nothing like going home knowing you earned that money.
Emily Voorde probably won’t be studied in history books like Kamala Harris. Voorde was the associate director of public engagement for just under 500 days. For the first time in my life, I saw someone who looked like me in a real position of power. She was not there just to be a token, but to actually make change.
Most Americans don’t realize that we still don’t have marriage equality in this country. There is still a marriage penalty for those with disabilities. This president may stumble with his words from time to time, but I’m confident he would support eliminating this obscene restriction so people can love regardless of their abilities.
I certainly don’t agree with all of the Biden administration’s policies. He still has more proof. The work is still not done. However, he is the first president to give me, as a disabled American, hope for my American Dream.
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The Dream Job
Hello, my friends, I hope you guys are having an excellent day. We all have dreams. Cinderella said it best: “A dream is a wish your heart makes.” Without a dream, we cannot have goals. Every goal starts out as a dream or idea. There are so many people out there who are “dreamers,” but there are very few who do anything about it.
I’ve never wanted to be an NBA star or an astronaut. One of the restrictions of my disability is that I cannot have a ”dream job.”. To be specific, I do not have a job. Anyone can dream. Now that it is January 2024, it is officially election season.Regardless of which side of the political spectrum you fall on, there will be an election in a few months.
Colossians 3:17 NIV
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
My dream job is to have a job working for an elected official. Disability should not be a partisan issue. Every American should have the right to work and earn a living. Why do my circumstances automatically put me in a system of poverty? The disability asset limit sits at $2,000 at any one time. That limit has not been raised since the mid-1980s. The cost of raising a disabled child is 20 to 25% more. There is no official disability tax, but I certainly feel it.
No matter how significant the medical diagnosis is, everyone should feel like they have a purpose. Everyone should be able to dream. There is currently legislation to have the asset limit raised to $10,000, but it hasn’t gotten much public attention, so it really hasn’t gotten anywhere. My population just wants to do their part,pay their taxes, and contribute to our society.
America is the land of opportunity. America is the land of dreams. America started out as a dream. Whoever sits in the overall office come January 2025, don’t forget the American citizens with disabilities. We just want the chance to turn our dreams into reality, like anyone else in the land of the free.Special Announcement
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Spiritual Breakthrough
Hello readers, I hope everyone had a safe and happy holiday season. Thank you for spending a few minutes of your busy day with me. I had a really nice moment that I want to share with you all today. Before I do, let me just give a quick recap of who I am and my mission for this website, in case I have any new visitors.
My name is Kevin, and I’m a Puerto Rican male living with cerebral palsy from New Jersey. I serve on various state and national boards advocating for people with disabilities. The purpose of this website is to create conversations about faith, society, and disability. The Purposely Broken World produces two episodes a month. On the 1st and 15th of every month. With the accompanying blogs every Wednesday. In addition, every so often, I have a few contributors that add to the website. For example, Miss Betzy Lee hosts the Living the Extraordinary Life Podcast.
I will never charge for any work produced on this site. If you enjoy it, please leave me a few dollars in my Cash app or PayPal. There is also a link to support the podcast directly. Think of me as a musician just playing a song on the street. All links are above every post.
As a writer, I’m always finding myself in front of a keyboard, typing my way through an idea. It may not surprise you to find out that I have a journal where I write letters to Jesus. Essentially, they are my prayers. On rare occasions, I share them with a friend. After reading it, I was asked a simple question: “Why don’t you ask God to help you walk?”
This might sound naive or even strange, but I never gave it much thought. Once, when I was down the Atlantic City boardwalk, two inebriated gentlemen asked to pray over me. I didn’t want to be rude, and prayer is always good, so of course I said yes. They prayed that the demon would leave my body so I could walk. This was years before I was saved, so I didn’t take it seriously. Truthfully, I thought it was a bit rude. After all, they didn’t even say my name when they prayed.
I will not lie my disability can be exhausting. People think it’s all about not walking and not being able to do stuff. There is no day off, which can be annoying, but it is what keeps me up at night. Even the best mother has been known to hide in her bathtub for a few extra minutes. Any dad will admit that they have stayed in the driveway of their house just to finish a song before going in. I can’t go for a run when I feel stressed. Physical therapy is not the same thing as a workout at the gym. Like most people, when I pray, I ask for my family, my friends, and a loving partner to accept me. Here is a fact: God is not a genie. One of the biggest challenges as a Christian is accepting his will over your own.
I do not believe that God is not punishing me. I don’t believe I deserve to walk. My life purpose is to accept the gift of grace he’s giving me. I don’t have perfect faith. I also know that I don’t need to have perfect faith. I realized by thinking about this simple question that I’m not the man I used to be, nor am I the man I want to be. I think a lot of people like to pretend and lie to themselves about how strong they are in their faith as if they could show it off on Instagram. It’s okay to say you don’t understand God’s plan right now. It’s okay to say I’m willing to be God’s miracle. A miracle is more than just splitting the sea. It’s answering a text from my friend. It’s buying someone dinner. It’s doing a Bible plan with a friend. Faith is laughing until your ribs hurt. Faith is not being afraid to ugly cry.
I can’t say I’ve ever seen myself walking down the street. However, I never thought I’d be going to Washington DC, regularly to be the voice for others. I just made the arrangements for my next trip in April. I know I’m going to dance with Jesus one day. That’s what faith means to me. At the age of 36, here’s my new prayer.
John 9:1-3 NIV [1] As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. [2] His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” [3] “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.
“Jesus,
My Lord and Savior. The keeper and protector of my faith. It would be wonderful to run, jump, and take showers by myself. If you’re willing, may I be healed physically so I may be able to do things like everyone else? So my life won’t be so hard.
More importantly, may I be healed spiritually. So that I may be a miracle for your glory to help others. My life may not be easy, but because of this journey you gave me, I’ve done more than I ever thought I would. I’ve surprised so many people, including myself. Keep the devil from me so I may continue to thrive. My life can get lonely, but I know that with you by my side, there will never be a moment alone. In the name of Jesus Christ, I say
Amen
Thank you to anyone who took the time to read this very personal testimony. Have a good day. Tell me in the comments: What do you pray for?
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