A Piece On Disability
(Written back in May 2017).
I refuse to be defined by disability. If I didn’t, I would allow it to determine how I view myself and how I carry out living as I am. I refuse to let it hold me back from living in daily life. Yes, I do have mild cerebral palsy, but just because I do doesn’t mean that I should let it hold me back from living life to the best version that I can possibly have it. Cerebral palsy has never become something I fight against-it’s become something I’m working on to accept for what it is, and for the fact that it brings certain limitations along the way. It’s something I have always lived with, and will continue to live with for the rest of my life, and I know that it’s something I can’t change, even though I wish I could. But I also refuse to be defined by it in terms of being a writer and a creator, and don’t want my talent being cast aside, after telling people about my disability. This hasn’t happened to me, and I hope it doesn’t, but then again, having hopes of working in the entertainment industry, it’s not always kind to those with disabilities. I would love to see more representation of people with disabilities in the entertainment industry. Disabled people deserve more representation, and it would be great if society started accepting disabled people more often, but I don’t think that will happen anytime soon. We are more than just our disabilities. We have talents of our own, and we have something to contribute to the world, although a certain amount of able-bodied people who are close-minded seem to think otherwise. I know my talent as a girl with mild cerebral palsy, and I refuse to let my disability and the stigmas surrounding it hold me back from that-from achieving my dream. Disabilities shouldn’t define a person just because it’s a part of who they are. The important thing is to let our talents shine through, rather than be cast aside by something we can’t control. I have never-not once-let my disability stop me and hold me back, and I won’t let it. Whatever I put my mind to, I do it, despite the fact that I know I have limitations in my way. I don’t let my disability define me, and neither should any other disabled person.
NOTE: I know that I’m not known to usually post about this sort of thing onto my blog. However, I want to change that. Being disabled and having cerebral palsy has always been a part of my life, and will continue to be a part of my life all throughout. For a while, deep down, it’s safe to say that I have had some negative thoughts towards it, but in addition to that, I stopped talking about my disability all together. Towards the beginning of this year, I decided to make a change to that, and I find that not only do I want to talk more about it, but I need to. It’s an important topic to me that really hits close to home, and I find that keeping certain aspects about this topic bottled up isn’t good. Also, I’m not saying that ALL able-bodied people are close minded. I’m just saying that some people in this world can be, but not all. (Just wanted to make that clear). Although writing is the primary focus of this blog, I want to also interweave some posts about disability in here as well, and possibly discuss a bit more about my experience living with cerebral palsy. In regards to that, though, I’m also open for discussion as well, not just about my disability, but about disability in general. I think that that would be great. It really would. However, I also thought it would be important to mention that if you have questions about cerebral palsy, feel free to ask me questions here on Tumnlr, I’m open to talking about it. (Very open). I want to end this post by spreading the message that whether you’re disabled or not, don’t let any aspect of your life define you. It’s important to just do you-just be you-and don’t let anything negative someone said, or any bad thought, cause you to doubt yourself or tbe way you run your life. Always keep your head high and your spirits up.
