This blog first appeared at Rooted in Rights and is being cross-posted with permission. When I was born, the doctors told my parents I was blind. That was the first line of my college application essay and the narrative starting point of my life. My parents took me to the doctor because my eyes were […]
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Mother: Reflections from a Mother with a Disability
I am a mother. I carried my child in my womb and I felt his movements. His heartbeat kept time with mine because he came from me… He is mine. I am his mother. I use a wheelchair. And yet, that has never changed the fact that I am his mother. There is pain, (there […]
Playground Anxieties as a Mom with a Disability
Springtime is finally here! My five-year-old is beyond excited to finally be able to get out of the house and go to the playground. While I love the warm weather and spending time outdoors, going to the playground with my five-year-old fills me with instant anxiety. Let me explain: I have a physical disability that […]
A Normal Life
They cried when I went back to work. They cried, and begged me not to go —begged me to stay with them like I’d done for so long. And although I might have appeared tough when I told them not to cry, my heart was already broken when I kissed them goodbye, and boarded the […]
Everything is a Process: Musings from a Mother with a Disability
This is something I am repeating to myself constantly. It has become my mantra. Parenting is a long walk with children, featuring endless questions, lots of laughter and tears, and sometimes, if I’m being honest, anger is present. The munchkin is a fiery ball of energy, and I have to strategize when parenting. My expectations […]
Your Mama’s In A Wheelchair
You came home crying one day because a boy at school insulted you —said something “bad” about your mama. Tears of anger and hurt rolled down your little boy face when you explained the boy had said that your mama’s in a wheelchair, and you punched him for saying that, I guess, because in your […]
Holiday Traditions: Reflections from a Disabled Mother
My family has always been big on Christmas. I started shopping in the middle of October this year. I am officially a Christmas freak! I love the lights, the music, and the nog! Try not to the judge me for putting up the tree before Thanksgiving, but I have to strategize where the “parking space” […]
A Mother’s Rant
I hate it when someone refers to me me as “not normal.” I absolutely detest it. There is no such thing as “normal” to me. We live in a world full of different people; diversity is one of the most beautiful traits of humanity. I have seen different groups of people come together as a […]
Adventures in Parenting
My son is one of the most interesting characters I have ever met. When all the news came about regarding the “reformed” health care bill, he realized very quickly that it was unfair to his mommy and her friends. I was both sad and proud of his reaction. His ability to empathize with others never […]
Potty Training Made Easier As A Disabled Mom
Potty Training your toddler can be a daunting task for any parent, much less one who has a disability. When I started training my son during the day, I’d lead him to the bathroom every twenty to thirty minutes so there wouldn’t be the inevitable accident most parents dread. This went on until he got […]