Lady Gaga’s powerful Oscars performance of “Til It Happens to You” brought attention to an issue that affects far too many people with disabilities. Along with much of the world, I was brought to tears by Lady Gaga’s powerful performance of “Til It Happens to You” at the Oscars. I was especially moved by the…
At the 2016 Grammy Awards, Stevie Wonder spoke a powerful truth. He said “We need to make every single thing accessible to every single person with a disability.” Here are 7 reasons why it’s time for the entertainment industry to listen to his words. 1. People with disabilities are 1/5 of the population One out of…
This morning, I awoke to a world without David Bowie in it. Today, I honor a man who helped me accept myself as a queer disabled woman. I was aware of David Bowie from childhood, but I came to love him as a young adult who was questioning everything; who I was, what I believed,…
It’s time we start being honest about the holidays. It’s true that holidays can be a time of great joy, family gatherings, and sharing of goodwill. For many of us, they bring back childhood memories of wonderful gifts, doting grandparents, home-cooked feasts, and snowy adventures. It’s years later now though, and our realities have changed….
One year ago, my life changed forever. One day, I was enjoying a simple but peaceful Thanksgiving. The next, I was staring down the barrel of a gun, feeling a stranger pulling me from my wheelchair and leaving me helpless on the floor. I laid there not knowing if I would be shot, and whether…
Her name was Sarena Moore, and her service dog Bullet’s name is now tragically ironic. She was studying business at Umpqua Community College in Roseburg, Oregon, gaining skills to pursue her dream of starting a therapeutic horse riding ranch for children with disabilities. She herself was disabled and used a wheelchair. Sarena died October 1,…
I am thrilled to announce that I’ve adopted another dog. Please welcome Winston the English Setter to the Free Wheelin’ family. Winston is 1 year old and was born deaf. He seems to have some ability to hear high pitches. I am still working on determining the extent of his deafness. I’ve wanted an English…
I never got “the look” this Labor Day weekend. No one stared at me, lowered their head sadly, or said “I’m sorry” or “God bless you”. I spent my Saturday out shopping at fairs and festivals, enjoying music and trying not to pass out from the late summer heat. I met a nice guy with a…
I still remember the three girls. I’ll never forget their names or what they did. The hateful looks, the eye rolling, the whispers and muttering under their breath when I was nearby. The comments got louder when there were no adults around. It started when I was 11, and in the sixth grade at a…
Today I and my caregiver were verbally assaulted and threatened using homophobic and ableist/anti-disabled slurs in a parking lot by a couple who were parked illegally in a disabled parking space. I politely confronted them about not having a plate or permit, and they responded with vicious hatred. We were both shaking afterwards. At approximately…
