So you may have noticed that my blog has a new name! But why? Well, let me tell you.
The short story––I don’t really stride, I drive. Yes, I know this is kind of a technicality. I will sometimes use the words walking or strolling when I travel somewhere using my wheelchair. I am, also, fine with other people using it to refer to me. Actually, I think it is pretty awkward when people say “walk, uh I mean, wheel… uh, move this way.” It’s like, dude, I get it. I know what you meant. Stop trippin’.
But, well, this space is different. This is my journey, not the collective we journey. This is about as personal as I can get. I get to make it specific to me.
As I talked about in my last post, I am learning to love who I am by seeing exactly who I am. Describing my very personal journey in a way that implies walking no longer sits well with me. It sounds like something the old me would do, glaze over or try to erase my disability. But I am done with that.
There is nothing less than or insignificant about who I am. I can still have a beautiful, wonderful, fulfilling life by driving my way there instead of striding. I will no longer apologize for who I am. I will no longer diminish myself to fit in and make able-bodied people feel more comfortable. I will no longer feel ashamed but will drive forward with pride. Welcome to my journey of Driving Toward Thriving. Hold onto your hats folks cause it’s going to be one helluva ride.
