My Disability and My Hobbies

 

My Disability and How DO-IT Has Helped Me

I have spastic diplegic cerebral palsy and use a walker most of the time and a wheelchair for longer distances. I joined DO-IT to find people who were also members of the Disabled community. I love DO-IT, one of my favorite sessions was Disability Identity which was led by Kayla Brown. We covered some of the history surrounding disability such as the passing of the ADA in July of 1990 and the 504 sit-ins. Along with that we also talked about the two models of disability, which are medical and social. Hearing about these two models helped me redefine my identity in relation to my disability. Along with the extremely informative sessions, DO-IT is a place of understanding. There is this solidarity, and you can be yourself without judgment. I love this program!

My Hobbies

I have been singing in choir for six years and have been doing voice lessons since February of 2021. I love the act of singing and music in general. It is a way for people to express themselves, tell stories, and connect with others. I also listen to music constantly when I am alone. I almost always have my noise-cancelling headphones on and play music on my phone - it makes me so happy and gives me so much energy. Another hobby I have is writing. I have been writing for as long as I can remember. I spent most of my lunch breaks in middle school writing. I love being able to escape into a different world – I do write realistic fiction. I have been working on a story of mine since July 2021 which is inspired by the fact that July is Disability Pride Month to celebrate the passing of the ADA. I love it. I love being able to tell stories and seeing myself represented – some of my characters are disabled.