Jim Tumbls.

I just finished reading The Hill’s report on the Department of Justice rescinding 11 pieces of ADA guidance, and I am livid. This isn’t just bureaucratic housekeeping. This is systemic neglect, wrapped up in language about “efficiency” and “reducing regulatory burden.” The DOJ calls this guidance “outdated.” But for millions of disabled people, and for the businesses serving them, this was vital…

My experiences as a patient in a teaching hospital highlighted the value of curiosity and kindness in medical education. By fostering respectful engagement and sensitivity, future doctors can enhance both their learning and patient care.

In my life, I’ve had several interesting experiences that have given me a unique perspective on the intersection of medical education and patient care. One particularly memorable experience was when I broke my arm in ninth grade and found myself the subject of much interest at a teaching hospital. After my x-rays, a parade of med students came into my exam room to see my arms, review the…

Disability Rights Pennsylvania offers voter assistance for individuals with disabilities, addressing issues like absentee ballots and polling access, available until Election Day, November 5, 2024.

Disability Rights Pennsylvania (DRP), a leader in disability rights legal advocacy services for forty-seven (47) years is available to provide voter assistance and answer questions about voting rights to persons with disabilities in Pennsylvania.  People can contact DRP up to and on Election Day, Tuesday, November 5, 2024. Voters with disabilities who have questions about absentee or mail-in…

Have you ever glanced in the mirror and felt like you're seeing someone else? That disconnect between how we think we look and what we actually see can be all too familiar. Why does this happen, and how can we approach it with more self-compassion?

During the early days of the pandemic, like so many of us, I found myself binge-watching shows to pass the time. One that stuck with me was American Horror Story: Freak Show. Mat Fraser, an actor with phocomelia, played a character whose arms looked strikingly similar to mine. I remember feeling this mix of recognition and unease; here was someone who shared a physical trait with me, yet the…

Our greatest growth often comes from “disorienting dilemmas” that push us out of our comfort zones. It’s through adversity, learning from mentors, and new experiences that we build resilience and strength. Embrace the journey! 🌱 #Resilience #Growth

In our quest for personal strength, we often find ourselves reflecting on what truly shapes our character and resilience. Is it our academic achievements, professional accolades, or something more profound? A fascinating study by Google revealed that their most successful employees weren’t necessarily those with the strongest technical skills. Instead, the driving factor behind their success was…

The 2024 presidential election is a mere four weeks away and it is impossible to ignore the tension dividing our nation. The deeper issues underlying this division are not new, however. The events of January 6, 2021, among other events, brought into sharp focus the dangers of failing to embrace diversity; not just in terms of identity, but in how we think, communicate, and understand one…

There’s a fascinating idea I came across a while back, attributed to the ever-insightful Neil deGrasse Tyson: “As the area of our knowledge increases, so too does the perimeter of our ignorance.” It’s a concept that resonates deeply, particularly as I expand my involvement in the realms of personal growth, diversity, equity, and inclusion. This duality of thrill and terror encapsulates the human…

My journey here weaves together disability, identity, and self-discovery. But disability isn't the only part of my identity to navigate. There's a whole other intersection of empowerment to celebrate...

A Journey of Embracing My True Self: Resilience, Laughter, and Authenticity Hello, readers! Today, I’m taking a break from our regular disability-focused programming to share a different personal story that’s near and dear to my heart. This post continues our ongoing theme of embracing our true selves, overcoming adversity, and finding strength in authenticity… but from a somewhat different…

My arms aren’t symmetrical—one’s short and curved, the other’s long and straight. But hey, I can type 80 wpm and feed myself just fine! Embracing our quirks and finding humor in challenges makes life interesting. Ready to celebrate uniqueness with me?

When I look in the mirror, I’m greeted by an undeniable truth: my arms are not symmetrical. This realization didn’t come with any fanfare or dramatic epiphany; it was more of a slow acceptance. My arms, with their unique shapes and sizes, are a testament to the individuality that defines each one of us. They serve as a daily reminder that perfection is overrated and that embracing our differences…

Navigating life with visible disabilities is like a neon sign above your head, while invisible struggles remain hidden yet challenging. Our goal: understanding, empathy, and inclusivity for all, regardless of visibility. Join me as we dive into this vital

I’ve had this topic rattling around in my brain for a while. It’s been an occasional hum in the back of my mind, and I’m glad to finally shake it out and give it the attention it deserves. Let’s talk about visible disabilities and invisible struggles. It’s like comparing apples to oranges, and who doesn’t love a good fruit metaphor? Now, I’m not saying we should pit these experiences against…

Central Adaptive Backpack I’ll start this post by disclosing that I read this article a couple months ago and the tab has remained open in my browser ever since. I’m hoping that finally publishing this post will allow me to comfortably close the tab and move onto any of the other three dozen currently open… Sure… it definitely comes off as a sales pitch for JanSport bags. Heck, I’d actually not…

Work has continued to be busy, but recently presented an accessible AI tool that will revolutionize the way people with disabilities do their work (and everyone else for that matter). It also spurred me to get back to blogging. Thanks for still following!

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) efforts are becoming increasingly important in the technology industry, as companies strive to create a more inclusive and equitable workplace for all employees. However, the perspectives and experiences of individuals with disabilities are often overlooked in these efforts. As someone who has lived with a disability and worked in the technology…

People often find unique ways to approach me and (sometimes) talk about my #disability. Here I reflect on and give suggestions for ways to talk to people about their disabilities, including my #Top8Tips for a respectful exchange!

While it’s been over half a year without a significant update, this post is a result of onboarding at my new company way back last year and getting to know new coworkers. As with many posts, we’re going to go a little beyond just what the title implies… This is somewhat of a recurring topic in my life and one I continue to be surprised by. The surprise is in the unique ways people approach me to…

I’m Still Here!

It’s been over six months since we’ve had any updates here and I do apologize. What I created to help others has certainly been pushed aside with other priorities in life and helping myself as well. The past half-year has been quite an adventure with a new job, a return of a small sense of normalcy & a hint of what a post-pandemic world will look like, as well as continuing to unpack a range of…

Last September, I was #laidoff and I have been #unemployed for almost nine months. Tomorrow, I begin the next phase of my #career and I am bringing a wealth of #knowledge I've gained in these months that it might have otherwise taken me years to gain.

Tomorrow I begin a new role at a new company, ending over eight months of being unemployed. This post has been a long time coming. I probably could have published it sooner, but it really didn’t feel right to share these “secrets of successful unemployment” until I’d actually come through on the other side! It’s also not a post typical of what this blog focuses on since it really has nothing to…

Today I had the opportunity to speak to two groups of middle schoolers about #diversity and #inclusion. We discussed topics from #bullying to the experiences we all gain when we #EmbraceDiversity. I was honored to be a part of this amazing experience!

Hi Everyone! I know it’s been a while since I’ve updated the blog. I still have a few dozen drafts in various stages of writing so it’s definitely not for lack of stories to tell, but life’s been busy lately and priorities shift, as they do. That said, for a few weeks I have been working on another prong of this mission of advocacy. A friend of mine from middle and high school happens to be a…

Jokes about #overcompensating aside, it's really a thing! Typically the obvious reasons for overcompensating are to prove something to yourself or others. But several explorations of my monkey brain gave me a renewed vision of some #simplejoys in life.

When we started this journey together last year, I shared how from the youngest age I was encouraged to do everything anyone else could do. Tying shoes, moving desks, carrying school books; all of that and more was naturally a part of my abilities. Eventually the more advanced and grownup functions such as driving a typical car and living alone joined the skillset. There was never any question of