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Called to More
Well, it’s official. I am officially a graduate student at CUNY School of Professional Studies, pursuing my M.A. in Disability Studies! And honestly, I have a lot of feelings about it. I am incredibly excited, but I’m also nervous. Like, really nervous. Starting graduate school is a big deal, and stepping into a program that… Read more
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Who Made You the Spoon Police?
The other night, we were sitting around the dinner table eating dinner like we normally do. Maggie, my 8-year-old, was eating her beans with her fingers. James, being the old-school kind of man that he is, told her she needed to use a spoon. And then Maggie said something that stopped me in my tracks.… Read more
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We Marched. We Met. We Danced. We Fought.
Whew, y’all… what a week! I’m home, finally. The laundry is piled up, my suitcase is still sitting in the floor, and I’m running on caffeine and memories. But my heart is so full. We rolled into Washington, D.C. Sunday evening and started the week by meeting up with my sweet friend, Mackayla, that I… Read more
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Capitol Hill, Ready or Not.
Tomorrow, I head to Washington, D.C. for the NCIL Conference, and I couldn’t be more excited. This isn’t a vacation. It’s a chance to stand alongside advocates from across the country who believe that people with disabilities deserve to live full, independent lives. It’s an opportunity to make our voices heard where it matters most.… Read more
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Disability Pride: Stop Feeling Sorry for Me. I’m Busy Living.
Every July, the internet suddenly discovers disabled people. The inspirational quotes start rolling in. People tell us we’re “so brave,” or say, “I could never live like that.” While I know most of those comments are well-intentioned, they miss the point entirely. So let’s clear something up. I don’t need your pity. I need your… Read more
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Love, Faith, and Pride: The Greatest Commandment
Every June, Pride Month sparks a lot of conversations. For some, it is a celebration. For others, it is a time of questions, reflection, or even discomfort. As a Christian, a woman of faith, and someone who believes deeply in the teachings of Jesus, I have come back to one truth over and over again:… Read more
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The Day My Daughter Said the R-Word
The other day, my 13-year-old daughter, Madelyn, dropped the R-word in a conversation for the first time ever. Y’all, I almost shitted my pants. Not because she was being hateful. Not because she was trying to hurt anyone. The truth is, she had absolutely no idea what that word meant. To her, it was just… Read more
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Miami Swim Week Did Not Disappoint
Miami Swim Week is officially in the books! I know I’ve been a little quiet the past few weeks, but life has been FULL — between mom life, council work, advocacy, and of course preparing for Miami Swim Week. The second I walked into the hotel, everything started moving fast. Fittings, photos, networking — all… Read more
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The Runway Was Never Just About Fashion
I get comments all the time asking why I model. Some people tell me they cannot support me because they do not agree with most secular modeling organizations or what they believe the industry represents. Others say I do not fit the “real” modeling standards. And then there are the comments asking how I can… Read more
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Still Catching My Breath After an Incredible Week in New Jersey
What an incredible whirlwind of a week it was in New Jersey! Honestly, I think I’m almost recovered now. Being part of the experience was absolutely amazing. The energy from all three runway shows, the staff, the models, the families—every single moment left me speechless. It was one of those experiences that fills your heart… Read more