Hi and welcome to AbleBodies!
I'm Elizabeth and have been a resident of West Michigan for the majority of my life. As a child, I attended public school and later went on to graduate from Hope College. I now work for a non-profit disability organization.
At the age of 8, I’d been newly diagnosed with a recessive form of Limb-Girdle Muscular Dystrophy. You can read more at: Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA). I neither understood the ramifications nor cared at the time what the diagnosis meant for my future. I just wanted to be a happy kid. And I was! I can truly say, I had a wonderful childhood and upbringing as my physical and emotional needs were changing. I can 100% say, my transition and positive outlook on life is directly attributed to my loving parents and brother. I transitioned from a running child, to slowly walking, to at present utilizing a wheelchair for mobility. And each transition has prepared me for what will come next, head-on. Each transition, I learned something new about myself and that I’m capable of achieving more that what society expects.
This diagnosis has not always been easy though. There have been a number of frustrations and tears, as I needed to learn to navigate my surroundings. But, each time I look back on my life, there have been far more happy moments. Life did not end with a diagnosis. It may be a different life than expected but one that has lead to wonderful opportunities that I’m not sure I would have otherwise experienced. And, I’m very thankful for it.
So, now that you know a bit more about me, I hope to share some of my experiences as an individual in my community with a physical disability. I also hope to showcase stories, pictures, and life experiences of friends and family. So, please enjoy and I look forward to your feedback.
- Elizabeth -
Check out her blog posts:
September 11th Nation Day of Service and Remembrance
Do Ask Questions...Just Use Your Common Sense!
24th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
Representing Disability in the Entertainment Industry
Top 6 Moments to Look for in a Friendship Worth Cultivating
Transportation - How do you get from point A to point B?
The Alamo, Antietam Battlefield, Abbey Road, La Tour Eiffel!
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