What Disability Pride Month Means to Me

This blog short was originally written for Instagram. Follow me at @disabledinthewild7

When the world tells you that once you are no longer able-bodied, your life is not worth living...

When you've endured decades of other people's judgement, pity, abandonment, and shame...

When the entire world turns their backs on you because your life is "disposable" anyway...

Yet you still find a way to live a beautiful, happy, fulfilling life...

With a community who embraces you for who you are and not the "healthy" person they wish you'd be...

How could I not feel proud?

Yes, there are struggles that come with disability. It's not an easy life. I would love to not be in pain 24/7 anymore. But to be treated like my life is not worth living, because-- what, I'm not great at walking? My brain is a bit slow? How sad that abled people value their fellow humans' lives so little, and place such strict conditions and contingencies on their own life's worthiness. When they ignore all the wonderful things about my life and focus solely on my struggles, it's a reflection of their fear, apathy, and ignorance, and not a reflection of my worth.

I live freely in a space of unconditional possibility. I don't care how sick or "broken" I am, my life will always be beautiful and worth living. I am proud of the life I have built, not in spite of my disabilities but with my disabilities. I have learned and grown so much from my experiences- lessons I would not have learned until much later on life, or perhaps not at all. I am who I am because of what I have been through with my disabilities. And you know what? I wouldn't change it if I could.

This is what Disability Pride means to me. When the world tries to make you feel like shit for who you are, it's important to show up for yourself and respond with a "Screw you, I'm amazing!"

Happy Disability Pride Month, everybody ❤️