The Advocacy Life Podcast & Blog

Tag: disability blogger

  • Examples of Ableism

    Examples of Ableism

    As a child with a disability, I attended mainstream classes all my life. One memorable class was DARE (Drug Awareness Resistance Education), aimed at preventing drug addiction—a fear shared by all parents. This program made me realize the importance of early education on critical issues. Just as children learn about the dangers of drugs, they should also be taught about disability etiquette and inclusion from a young age.

    Children’s natural curiosity about differences should be nurtured, not stifled. When a child asks about someone with a disability, parents often shush them out of discomfort. This only perpetuates ignorance. Instead, open discussions can foster understanding and empathy. I recall a time at a mall with my brother Abner and our caregivers. We exited an elevator and overheard a father tell his son, “Thank God you’re not like them.” This comment stung, but more than that, it made me pity the man for his ignorance—a product of likely never having been exposed to individuals with disabilities.

    The disability community is the largest underrepresented and underserved group in the U.S., encompassing every body shape, skin color, sexual orientation, and gender. Despite this, society often ignores us to avoid disrupting their busy lives. Disability is not going away; it’s a natural part of the human experience. Everyone is only “temporarily able” and might need help eventually.

    Living with a disability means no days off; it’s a constant presence. Every day, I face frustrations and struggles. In school, I wasn’t just the last picked for dodgeball—I was excluded entirely because it was deemed “too dangerous.” In home economics, while others learned to sew, I was switched to a different elective because the teacher assumed I couldn’t use the sewing machine pedal. I was never given a chance to adapt or prove my abilities.

    Ableism limits growth for societal convenience, imposing barriers that exclude rather than include. Consider the story of Judy Heumann and the 504 sit-in—a pivotal moment in American history that highlights the fight for disability rights. Stories like hers should be part of our collective knowledge, teaching us about resilience and the importance of inclusivity.

    Exposure to disability issues from a young age can normalize differences and reduce stigma. Integrating disability awareness into education can help children grow into empathetic, informed adults. The more we see and understand people with disabilities, the less “other” they become.

    Our society must recognize that disability is part of the human condition and that inclusivity benefits everyone. By breaking down barriers and challenging ableist attitudes, we create a world where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. We must move beyond fear and ignorance to embrace a future where all individuals are valued for their unique contributions.

  • My super Suit

    My super Suit

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  • Remembeing Baby Doll

    Remembeing Baby Doll

    For the majority of my 20s, I wasn’t partying or drinking on the weekends. I was attending a series of habilitation day programs. I know most people don’t know what that is; don’t worry, I didn’t know what it was either until I got there. The easiest way to describe it is as an adult daycare for individuals with disabilities. This blog is not about me, but the impact “Baby Doll” had on me and those around her.

    Every so often, we come across someone whose life story is so hard to believe that part of it becomes a legend. Baby Doll was a strong African American woman. She was petite, but her heart was three times bigger than she was. Unlike most people, she was not afraid of letting the world see her heart. If she knew you, she would love you! She did not care what your skin color was. Gay or straight, that had no consequence. Every day, she hugged anyone. Oh, how I miss those hugs.

    This story needs to be shared because there’s a large sector of the disability community that has been neglected and has become less human. This makes me feel so angry. I chose the alias “Baby Doll” because that is what she called all of us who attended the day program. We knew who she was talking to just by the way she said the words “Baby Doll.”

    Those of us who can help others must fulfill that responsibility. Baby Doll was born completely “normal,” a pure product of her environment. Her own family forced her into prostitution and drug use. This did not take place in Russia or some third-world country—right here, in the land of hot dogs and the New York Yankees!

    She was eventually burned alive by the waste. After her brain was fried and her body was all used up, she was given over to the state of being an adult. When you’re given a court-appointed guardian, you can’t even get a library card in your name.When I met her, she was a shell of her physical self. Her wonderful smile had no teeth. She seldom wore short sleeves, even in the summer. Baby Doll had gray, thinning hair. She used a small collection of wigs. The nicest one she had, she wore to her funeral. 

    The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17

    Yet there are a few aspects of disability life of which people should be aware. Do you know what people with disabilities have in common with prisons and communal settings? The government pays for all essential parts of life. The participants are paid less than the minimum wage. Most importantly, the individuals are denied some critical freedoms. Let me be clear. We do need more medical and behavioral facilities for those with severe needs. We are past the crisis point where we need quality caregivers who deserve a decent wage. The system is so focused on protecting itself. It denies flexibility to the human element.

  • Communication

    Communication

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  • Motivation for Creators

    Motivation for Creators

    Hello readers,

    How is everyone doing? Let me know in the comments! I’ve been blogging and creating positive disability awareness content for a while now. It’s been quite an experience with its ups and downs. I’ve seen a lot of creators share their tips and tricks with their audiences, so I thought I’d do the same. This list won’t include tutorials on how to make money because that’s not my goal. I choose to share my heart and my stories to make a small difference in the world. It’s that simple. What follows is a letter for every content creator out there, but it’s also a reminder for myself on days when I feel frustrated. I can look back at it and remind myself that I can keep going.

    Click Here to Read More: Motivation for Creators 
    'Do everything in love. '1 Corinthians 16:14

    To Whom It May Concern,

    First of all, thank you for all that you create on whatever platform you choose. Creating anything is not easy. The page always starts off blank, and you can’t make the best video or podcast if you don’t press record first. You’ll spend hours perfecting and redoing your work, and not everyone is going to follow or subscribe to your content. You can’t make people read every word you write, no matter how much effort you put into it. The market is full of creators constantly battling for attention. You won’t always win, and you won’t always lose. Try not to take it personally. Even the best creators can’t get everyone to follow them, so it’s impossible for you to do the same or better. Haters are real; learn to ignore them. The block button can be your best friend. Help when you can, and step aside if you can’t. You will never make everyone happy all the time. Don’t forget to rest both physically and mentally. Turn off the microphone sometimes. Don’t open up the laptop every day. If a certain platform doesn’t work for you, don’t use it. It’s your creation, so do what works for you. This won’t work if you do it just for money; it has to come from your heart and soul. If you’re not having fun, then you’re not doing it right. Always be yourself; never be fake. People will notice sooner or later. I hope this helps you and reignites the fire inside you. Never let it go out. You might just be the light in someone’s day. Thank you for your time, have a wonderful day, and good luck with your creations. I’m always here to help fellow creators, so feel free to contact me anytime.

  • Blowing off Steam

    Blowing off Steam

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  • Broken Wheelchairs & Smiles

    Broken Wheelchairs & Smiles

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  • Gratitude V. Complaining

    Gratitude V. Complaining

    Happy Thursday friends. I’ve had a very troubling week. I know today is Thursday but since my podcast was released on the 15th which fell on a Wednesday I decided to push this back a day Have you ever woken up feeling like everything’s just wrong? Like the whole world’s against you? It’s something we all feel sometimes. But have you ever stopped to wonder why? Is it because the world’s just messed up, or is there something about us that needs fixing?

    I’ve always been someone who sees the bright side of things. Even when it seems like everyone’s complaining about what they don’t have, I try to focus on what’s good. Sure, there’s a lot of bad stuff out there—violence, discrimination, you name it. But that’s not what I want to talk about.

    What bugs me is how we complain about every little thing just because our lives aren’t perfect. In this post, I want to compare some common complaints with my own experiences. Not to moan and groan, but to show that even when life’s tough, there’s still plenty to be thankful for.

    ‭1 Thessalonians 5:18 NIV‬ [18] give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

    Let’s start with feeling tired. We’ve all been there, right? Wanting to stay in bed a little longer. But for me, getting out of bed isn’t so simple. Every morning, I need someone to help me, which makes me see tiredness in a whole new light.

    Then there’s the whole job situation. Feeling like you’re not making enough money, hating your job—sound familiar? It’s something I’ve felt too. But for me, the biggest challenge isn’t my disability—it’s the money struggles that come with it. The day I get my first paycheck? It’s gonna be a big deal, let me tell you.

    And traffic? Don’t even get me started. As someone who can’t drive because of my disability, I rely on public transport. And let me tell you, it’s not always smooth sailing. What might be a quick trip for someone else can turn into an all-day ordeal for me.

    I could go on and on, but you get the idea. We need to stop taking things for granted and start appreciating what we have. As they say, one person’s trash is another person’s treasure. Instead of always wanting more, let’s learn to be happy with what we’ve got. So, I hope reading this makes you see things a little differently. Thanks for reading, and feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below.

    Podcast also available on YouTube

  • The Voice

    The Voice

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  • Passing the Baton

    Passing the Baton

    My legs were burning when I went to bed the other night, but I was content despite having a sore back. I was on my laptop or tablet from 11:00 in the morning until 11:30 at night. My brother asked several times, “Are you done yet? Where is your finish line? Something has to be said so someone else can finish the job that people before me started. I must issue a favorable warning before continuing. I might make some unjust comparisons in the course of this writing. It is not to offend anyone; it is simply an illustration point. 

    ‭Philippians 3:13-14 NIV‬ “Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,  I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

    The work I do to advocate for those with disabilities is not for me; it’s for someone in the next generation. So they don’t have to fear society and not be seen as equal by their peers, whether they have a disability or not. People don’t want to admit this, but there are people out there who want people with disabilities dead after a certain age. After they stop being cute, we need a social movement to make it okay for people with disabilities to live and thrive in their communities. Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) is a great concept and it will lead to system change eventually. Parents of a disabled child should never have to fear the day they can no longer be there for their child. Working with those who are the most vulnerable cannot be seen as a dead-end job. It needs to be seen as a fulfilling career. To use an antiquated term, this has to stop being ‘pink-collar work.’

    Speaking of work, those of us who should be working should be offered better jobs than greeters at Walmart or in the back of a restaurant washing dishes. Do our hands have to shake when we hand our resumes to a potential employer? The first concern of an employer should never be, “How much is it going to cost to accommodate you to work here? We have to stop being inspirational just for going to college. I know so many individuals who have finished their college degree but cannot find meaningful employment because they need their health benefits.

    FDR
    "In these days of difficulty, we Americans everywhere must and shall choose the path of social justice—the path of faith, the path of hope, and the path of love toward our fellow man."

    The LGBTQ+ community fought for several years to have marriage equality. I am sorry to say this but we still don’t have marriage equality because people with disabilities are still penalized for wanting to get married. I feel like there is a false illusion that if people with disabilities had children, it would be more of a burden on our society to take care of them. Most disabled parents are more loving and caring than able-bodied parents. Yes, they will need more support but that means more jobs and more opportunities for people to see us as part of their local communities. People like me who look different should not be ashamed to be on a dating app. People don’t understand what it’s like to be afraid to talk to a pretty girl. Imagine what it would be like not being able to talk at all to that same girl.

    People with disabilities are currently in financial and social slavery! Brad Lomax and Judith Heumann did their part. A generation later, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was a gigantic step forward. As a community, we need to come together and stop letting society divide us.

    I will continue to work with the system so that one day someone can either emotionally, mentally, or physically stand up for others. I’m proud to be a nobody. My name will not go down in history books. I work so that one day someone can get married without fear. I work so a mother will not have to cry when they have to hand over the care of their child to someone else. I work so that one day someone you know using a wheelchair will not be seen as an inspiration when they are the CEO of a Fortune 500 company. This may not make sense to a lot of people, but one day it will.

    Disability does not care what color you are on the outside. Your sexual orientation is of no consequence. Your political views are irrelevant to people with disabilities. The disability is just part of the person, not the whole person. I know I said all this before on other blogs. I probably sound like a broken record. I’ve never asked my small audience for anything, but I asked that you please share this with someone who has no concept of disability. To someone who thinks we are less than. We are not lost. We are the ones who are strong because we value life, cherish our blessings, and take advantage of the opportunities we’ve been given. We might be broken on the outside, but some are even broken on the inside. we understand that our lives have meaning. Sometimes it’s better to have a life of struggle with a great ending than to have a life without knowing or wanting the destination because you’re searching for the illusion of perfection.

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