Great Disability Blog Posts of 2016 (Part 4)

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Part 1 / Part 2 / Part 3

Today's round of posts is pretty special more than half the posts are written by kids.  Rhema, Ellie (first time on this list for her!) and Fox.  We also have another great post by K, and a first post by my friend and fellow blogger, Ellen!

Love, Rhema by Rhema at Rhemashope

Talk to us like normal so we feel important
We may not respond with our timely voices
but still know that we hear you and think you are lovely to speak to us
So much of talking happens inside with autistic people
so we dont try to engage like others
but we want to so much
So try to remember this too
Strong to make others stomach the uncomfortable
but we are thankful when you do your best - Rhema

Rhema's mom, Jeneil, shares some favorite quotes spelled out by her daughter, Rhema, this year.  So much insight from this bright girl on a variety of subjects.

[Image is: a blonde woman smiling and doing push ups across from a brown haired girl with her chin on the ground.  If these two aren't inspirational for exercising why restrict a disabled child to being just an inspiration when they are fully human.  Read Ellen's post below for more on this.]

My Child Is a Person, Not Just an Inspiration by Ellen at Ellen Stumbo

My child is a person and her purpose is not to be a message to the world about acceptance, to be a teacher about what matters in life, or an inspiration for doing the same things other people do that are sometimes perceived as incredible accomplishments. Yes, she might do those things from time to time, but that is not her purpose.


When I limit another person to be only a message, or a lesson, or an inspiration, I take away their relatability, their humanity, and suddenly they are not a person like you and me. - Ellen

Ellen shares an important message via this blog post about how damaging it is for kids with disabilities to be viewed through a singular lens, instead of being viewed as whole people.

My Sister Has Down Syndrome and It's Okay With Me by Ellie at Ellen Stumbo

If Nichole was not my sister, I would probably stare at her and wish she was. - Ellie

Ellen's oldest daughter, Ellie, writes a beautifully respectful post about her youngest sister, Nichole.  Just ten years old at the time of this writing, Ellie makes it clear that it is completely possible to write about people with disabilities as multi-dimensional, without falling into pity or a limiting perspective.  One of the highlights of my year to read, for sure,

MY RIGHT FOOT by K at Transcending CP

I didn't tell her this: that there are some stains that never come out in the wash. Some stains are permanent. I never forgot her pointing, her laughing. It's amazing, sometimes, how much words can hurt. How a single sentence can leave us feeling so alone. - K

K shares about such a common occurrence for those of us with CP: an insecurity with showing the part of us most affected by CP.  I've almost never worn shorts as an adult.  Capri pants either.  Only full length pants.  I rarely go barefoot.  Needless to say, I related so much to this post.  And if you feel alone in being insecure about a part of your body, read this.  You won't regret it.

Nicely Autistic by Fox at Fox Talks With Letters

 I AM BEING ABLE TO DECIDE MY OWN LIFE. HAPPY I CAN TALK. - Fox

Fox spells a fantastic poem about his new ability to make choices and how that is helping him to accept himself.  Like Fox, I write poetry to cope, and so I can relate to him a lot in this way.  He has a great way with words.

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Did you read these posts?  Did you learn anything you didn't know before?  If so, what?  If you liked the blog posts, be sure to follow the links to let Rhema, Ellen, Ellie, K and/or Fox know you enjoyed their work.

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