Visibility, Disability, Acceptance: Rejecting the labels

I almost didn’t make a post today, because my topic is too close to my blog subject of disability. I didn’t quite know what to say or how to make a post on this topic. As an author and blogger who works to bring awareness to disability, it’s often hard for me to find the words to express my experience.

You can read more about who I am and why this particular blog is so important to me on my About Me page.

Visibility matters.

Disability is a part of me. It’s a part of what led me to take a chance on becoming an author. I’ve blogged in the past about how hard it is for me to accept my disability. For those who are just finding my blog, I’ll explain why this is important. I live and thrive with spastic ataxic diplegia, a form of Cerebral Palsy.

When I decided to become an author, one of my goals was to use my platform to bring awareness. I wanted to make myself feel more confident in writing love stories for people who were both able bodied and disabled. I haven’t handled that in any of my current novels, but I hope to be confident enough to do so in a future project.

Disability has never been at the forefront of my work because I believe in a person first approach. I’ve always classified myself as a romantic and someone who enjoys love stories. But today, I’m heavily rethinking that. Today, December 3, is the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

Today, I wonder if we have really made the strides we believe we have for people with disabilities like me to be represented properly. It isn’t just a matter of representation in fiction, either. It’s about accessibility, it’s about putting the people who are normally last at the forefront.

I don’t know if my work can change how people with disabilities are viewed. But I know it would be wonderful to see more representation. I know it’s important for disabled voices to be elevated. I hope to be part of that as my work goes forward.

Let’s talk: Do you have any friends or loved ones with disabilities? What are your wishes for them, or for people like them, and how can you help provide visibility to their struggles and stories?