If you don’t know, Disability Pride Month was first observed in 1990 and has recently become celebrated with parades and festivals around the country. The purpose of Disability Pride Month is to honor everyone’s differences and uniqueness by raising awareness and breaking stigmas, and make people with disabilities visible in all communities. Needless to say, this is something we need as a community.
I just wanted to show my disability pride by saying my disability is one of the best things that has happened to me. I know that may seem weird to say, but it’s true. No matter what other path my life went on, I wouldn’t have the self-understanding or love I have now if it wasn’t for pseudotumor cerebri. I wouldn’t have been able to explore all the things I love — writing, public service, tea, my business. Without my disability, I wouldn’t know exactly who I can trust and depend on. I wouldn’t know how strong I am. If I wasn’t disabled I wouldn’t have the house I live in or enjoy the things I do such as gardening, meditation, fishing. I wouldn’t understand how important the little things in life are. I wouldn’t be me without my disability.
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My disability isn’t just a part of me, it’s who I am and no matter the amount of pain it causes, the hassles I go through every day, the blood, sweat and tears it drains, it’s me and I am proud of that and proud of how it’s shaped me. Proud that I understand that like my illnesses, all things work out for my good and even bad things can be blessings.