One idea, five writers and a blog is born!

Okay so Able Bodies didn't happen that quickly, but it was an idea I had tucked away in the back of my mind for over a year. It was an idea tugging at me, and when I met the right people it became a reality.

I am only one of many who experience life with a disability. 

As a writer I like to share my experiences, and many times found myself writing about life with a disability. I'm always surprised at how people want to know the most mundane facts about my life. Honestly there is a lot more to me than just the disability, but many times my short stature, wheelchair and crutches are the draw at first. When I get the question - how did it happen - I fail at providing an epic, mind blowing or compelling story. Why? I was born with spina bifida, it happened within the first few weeks as I was forming, end of story.

Having a disability is all I've known. Using crutches and a wheelchair is second nature to me. I "walk" just in my own way. No big deal. I adapted, learned and was raised not to expect any special treatment. Yet it's REALLY hard to ignore the stares, comments and assumptions.  

Have you ever felt like the outsider wherever you go? Waiting to use the rest room until you get home because your wheelchair couldn't fit in a regular sized stall? Putting on your bathing suit, and when you go to the pool giggles and stares at the scars on your legs? Going to a networking event and everyone is standing while you sit, no one making eye contact with you because you're not at the right height. The thing is all of these happen, but it's not the disability that causes these things to happen. The circumstances are the cause because I am just a regular person who lives with a disability that happened before I was born.

 

Our first official gathering, Roel, me, Brandon, Elizabeth and Holly on Skype.

I am only one of many who experience life with a disability. A disability that happens at birth or is acquired through the years. One thing I wanted from this blog is for those outside of the disability perspective to understand that people with disabilities are people FIRST! Having a disability is not a curse, unbearable or sad beyond belief, but it is one facet to who we are and not the defining aspect of how our lives are or will be.

I have invited four incredibly awesome individuals to join me in this endeavour of bringing awareness about the disability experience. Each has their own story, each is a contributing member of our community and we all want to break the stereotypes about people with disabilities. Our disabilities made an appearance in our lives at some point.  We all had that moment of realization that we were viewed differently. We all had to come to terms with our disability.  We are open to sharing our lives with you.      

Keep in mind we are just people. We are flawed, funny and living ordinary lives through extraordinary circumstances.

Thank you for coming on this journey with us!  

- Lucia - 

Comments

[Mary Ann Permesang]

I think this is great Lucia. Besides knowing you, mainly through Derek, I know Roel (my brother-in-law) and Elizabeth from Hope College. I actually was one of her assistants for a while. That was 15 years ago--hard to believe. But you all are amazing---not because of your disabilities, but because of who you are. Just being you!

Thank you for doing this blog.

[Janna]

That was so well-written Lucia! I think this blog is an awesome idea and I can't wait to read more! :)

[Lucia]

Hi Rhonda! So glad that you are reading! The problem has been fixed and you can subscribe now!

[Rhonda Mobley]

I tried to subscribe but the link isn't working at the top of the page. Please check into that! Thanks in advance :)

[Sara Blomeling DeRoo]

Awesome! Y'all are leaders and inspirerers. This will be a great platform to educate and NORMALIZE. Shine on!

[Melba Schaus]

Totally loved reading this. Roel Garcia is my cousin and I have basically known him from birth. However it wasn't until he shared his experiences of his disability that I truly understood what he had gone through. Amazing. U r right, people FIRST, disability a far second. I have a four yr old daughter with a tracheostomy and we get the looks too. She is perfectly healthy and capable otherwise, but they r drawn to her neck. We hope it will come out soon, but in the mean time, this journey has taught us so much about te human spirit and the lack of sheer human courtesy!