February 28, 2022
by Kenya Martinez
"You're having a boring pregnancy." These are the words my OB/GYN said to me the week before I was hospitalized for Eclampsia. I was 29, a transplant from NYC living in Atlanta. My husband and I had been married for several years. We were so excited to be new parents and were really looking forward to adding to our family. [...]
Britney is Free, Now What?
December 1, 2021
I first saw Britney Spears on a jumbotron video screen, taking Tokyo by storm with her bouncy pop music and sexy school uniforms. Britney was like a tsunami wave, coming out of seeming nowhere, and peaking to submerge us all in her catchy tunes. [...]
I Shouldn’t Have to Wait to Live Independently
November 15, 2021
Like many young adults, I was eager to move out of my childhood home as soon as I could. At age 15, I had dreams of taking NYC by storm and backpacking across Europe as soon as I got out of college. It wasn’t until I realized that living independently is way harder for people with disabilities when you live in a state that has a waitlist for Community Home Care services that can last as long as 15 years. Forty-one states have Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waiting lists totalling more than 800,000 people, according to a February 2020 report by the Kaiser Family Foundation that surveyed state waiting lists. Texas, where I currently reside, leads the way with 385,000 people waiting on independence. [...]
From Peanuts to Progress: How the American Jobs Plan Can Go Beyond the “Four F’s”
by Meriah Nichols, Unpacking Disability, and DREDF Board Member
My mind wandered all over the map after reading Andrew Pulrang's recent article for Forbes, outlining four keys ways President Biden's proposed American Jobs Plan could benefit the disability community. I encourage you to read his article, because he dives deep into some excellent disability-related applications for Biden's plan. [...]
What Happens When Advocacy Never Ends?
April 12, 2020
I am weary.
Of calling and emailing. Of educating and advocating. Of meeting and presenting. Of filing complaints. Of not being heard.
It’s not living with a disability that exhausts me. I have learned to live well with spina bifida—even to thrive. I am adept at balancing a career, chronic health issues, community advocacy, and having a life. My support system includes a wonderful husband, family, friends, and colleagues. I have honed my advocacy skills; I know when to take on a battle and when to focus on the war. I have worked to make my community accessible for all, and to be the kind of place I want to grow old in. Life is good. [...]