My Journey: From Doubt to Pride
As Disability Pride Month comes to a close, I wanted to share personal reflections on my journey with disability, acceptance, and pride here on Platform Stories. Stories have power—not just to heal, but to foster genuine community. For women with disabilities, sharing our experiences connects us, lets us see ourselves in each other, and assures us that our challenges and victories matter.
That’s why Platform Stories exists: to honor the everyday moments of growth and resilience, to spotlight the milestones we reach together, and to build a space where everyone feels seen and heard. Sharing isn’t just about telling our stories—it’s about uplifting each other and strengthening our collective voice.
My life changed forever when I became disabled. I am genuinely grateful—to have survived, to have grown, to find new joy and fulfillment. But it hasn’t always been easy. Some days, my inner critic whispered that I wasn’t enough; I worried about being a burden or felt the exhaustion of always double-checking accessibility—at restaurants, theatres, friends’ homes, even public restrooms. Sometimes that frustration was overwhelming.
There have been countless moments when I’ve experienced exclusion—sometimes due to physical barriers, other times because of people’s prejudices, misconceptions, or simple lack of awareness about true inclusion. At times, these situations have been absurd or even funny, but all too often they’ve been acutely embarrassing, deeply frustrating, or outright demeaning. There have been many times when the weight of it all reduced me to tears, whether from anger or exhaustion. The embarrassment, the isolation… those moments have stuck with me.
And still, I’m grateful that times change: we grow, we learn to navigate these moments, over time, I started speaking up, asking for changes, and connecting with others who understood, and we keep working together for something better. I have been gifted with so many rich and fulfilling moments—thanks to the love and support of those around me. That encouragement has allowed me to live a life I love, to keep learning and growing, and to push past barriers so I can keep experiencing all the incredible things this world has to offer. In doing so, hopefully, i can be part of creating a world that’s more accessible and inclusive for those who come after me or who don’t always have the same opportunities or ability to have their voices heard.
Lessons Learned Along the Way
What I’ve discovered is this: Getting to disability pride isn’t something that happens overnight. Feeling unapologetic about taking up space, advocating for inclusion, demanding better—it’s a journey, not a destination.
• Acceptance and pride take time
•The people you surround yourself with matter—find those who lift you up, especially women who will champion and support you.
• Your story—and my story—matters.
• We deserve joy, belonging, and accessibility.
Standing in My Truth
Today, I stand in my truth: I am so much more than my disability. I celebrate every moment of love, exhilaration, connection, and growth. If I could send a message to my younger self, it would be this: “You will get here. The journey to acceptance and pride is possible—and it’s worth every step. You will do so much more than you believe possible.. Seek out those who lift you up and trust in the wisdom they offer along the way; you don’t have to do this alone.”
Your Story Matters
To everyone navigating their own path: your story matters. You deserve inclusion, visibility, and joy. Never let anyone, including that internal voice, tell you otherwise.
This is why Platform Stories matter—to make sure every experience, every perspective, and every triumph is seen. If you have a story or a shoutout to those who’ve lifted you up, I invite you to share it here—because together, our stories create real change. Let Platform stories help all of us find strength, joy, and pride together.
