Snap, cluck, snap! The noises rang out in the conference hall. Several people turned toward me to see what was causing the disturbance. As I walked down the aisle to join my graduate school labmate, I jerked my head to the left and snapped my fingers in my right ear, continuing to draw attention to myself. But when the presentation began, I forgot about how others might see me. I focused solely on the science, even though I clucked my tongue, tightened my right calf, and thrust out my right arm throughout the presentation. None of it was intentional: I suffer from Tourette syndrome (TS), a neurological condition that compels me to perform involuntary repetitive movements and vocalizations known as tics. And I wasn't embarrassed. In fact, after some years of struggling with the potential negative impact of my TS, I now consider it to be an asset.
Say the Word | I am fascinated by disability as a subject—the history of people with disabilities, how disability presents itself, what difference means.
It doesn't stop. I definitely discussed this a while back but want to go more in depth as to why I feel it is inappropriate to give unsolicited advice or mak...
Image description: A clock face with the 12, 3, 6 and 9, diving the face. Between 12 and three the word 'congregate' is writting in red ...
Photo description: Two people talking one says 'Ableism the other responds, 'WTF is that?' Twice recently I have tried to explain to non...
Until arriving at this hotel last night, I've done really well with using my own power to get myself around. It's something I'm proud of bec...
I went to the doctor with a pain in my head. An ongoing headache. She looked in my mouth twice, poking my tongue with an unsweetened paddlep...
In this week's edition of Tuesdays with Liz: Disability Policy for All Liz interviews four Nutrition is for Everyone ambassadors - Sarah Keathley (Arkansas),...
Victoria Rodriguez-Roldan is fighting to secure basic rights and protections for LGBTQ people and those with disabilities -- and as a trans woman who lives openly with bipolar disorder, she’s in a unique position to do just that.
Image description: An intersection with words at each corner: 'hello?' 'anyone listening?' 'is it just me?' and 'am I alone here?' She ...
What's It Like Using Sign Language In Public? | Deaf Poynters| Episode #7Subscribe: http://bit.ly/subrikki | Patreon: http://patreon.com/rikkipoynterPrevious...
The difference between telling our own stories as parents, and the stories of our children (who have disabilities)
Only Could Hear Me - Full Length Film:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2r9pvtNTx4kPrentke-Romich Companyhttp://www.prentrom.comCenter for AAC and Autism:http:/...
"I've found that being inspirational is a lonely business and unconnected to true efforts or achievements. Being a role model has the pleasure of an honor that's earned." I was asked a few years ago about how I felt being called an "inspiration" based on my identity as a woman with a disability. This was my…
Activists call for diversity within disability.
The White House is still reviewing rules for how websites should accommodate those with disabilities.
Video games allow people with disabilities to do many things. I know, I've said this before. There's many things I can't physically do in "The Real World" that I can do in a video game. But there are still parts of video games that are difficult for people with disabilities. And before you get cute,…
Dear United, Earlier this month, David Dao was dragged off a flight from Chicago to Louisville. He suffered a concussion, a broken nose, sinus damage, and several lost teeth. While I’m empathetic t…
It's clear that the power of a myth not only poisons people with lies, but renders many disabled women of the world to a life of misery and torture. It is time people for to rise up and challenge such myths, so we can live in an accepting, inclusive world
Yesterday, I was at a conference about cerebral palsy, mostly attended by medical professionals like surgeons who have spent their lives re...
