Read Shared Stories
Welcome
Welcome to our collection of shared experiences. Each story here represents a moment when someone chose to speak their truth - to help others understand the emotional impact of everyday interactions. As you read these personal accounts, you'll discover how simple actions can carry deep meaning. These aren't complaints or criticisms; they're invitations to understand.
Physical Disabilities
Physical disabilities affect body movement, mobility, and physical capacity. These can be present from birth, caused by injury, or develop over time. They may impact daily activities and how a person navigates their environment.
Sensory Disabilities
Sensory disabilities affect one or more of our senses - sight, hearing, or speech. These disabilities can range from partial to complete loss of a sense and may impact how a person communicates and interacts with their environment.
Physical
"I feel invisible when people talk to my caregiver instead of me because they assume my physical disability affects my ability to think and speak for myself."
Sensory
"I feel dismissed when people shout at me because they assume being deaf means I'll hear them if they're louder, rather than taking the time to face me so I can lip read."
Neurodevelopmental
"I feel misunderstood when people speak to me in a childish voice because having Down syndrome doesn't mean I'm not an adult with valid thoughts and feelings."
Sensory
"I feel misunderstood when people think my speech disability means I have nothing to say because they confuse communication method with intelligence."
Neurodevelopmental Disabilities
Neurodevelopmental disorders affect brain function and development, impacting areas such as behavior, memory, learning, and self-regulation. Each person's experience is unique, with varying strengths and challenges.
Mental Health Disabilities
Mental health disabilities affect emotional, psychological, and social well-being. These conditions can impact daily functioning, relationships, and how a person processes thoughts and feelings.
Neurological Disabilities
Neurological disabilities affect the nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord, and nerves. These conditions can impact movement, communication, memory, and other bodily functions.
Invisible Disabilities
Invisible disabilities are conditions that aren't immediately apparent to others but significantly impact daily life. These disabilities can include chronic pain, fatigue, internal conditions, and other challenges that, while not visible, are very real and affecting.
Sensory
"I feel frustrated when people grab my arm to 'help' me navigate without asking first because they don't understand that unexpected touch is startling and disrupts my own orientation methods."
Mental Health
"I feel invalidated when people say 'just think positive' because they don't understand that depression isn't a choice, it's a chemical imbalance that requires real treatment."
Physical
"I feel frustrated when buildings advertise as 'accessible' but only have stairs and a broken elevator because it shows they don't truly understand what accessibility means."
Neurological
"I feel vulnerable when my medications wear off in public because people stare at my tremors instead of seeing me as a whole person."
Neurological
"I feel anxious when I'm in places with flashing lights because people don't understand that for me, it's not just about discomfort - it could trigger a seizure."
Neurodevelopmental
"I feel anxious when people expect me to 'sit still and focus' because my fidgeting and movement actually helps me concentrate."
Mental Health
"I feel frustrated when people say 'I'm so bipolar' about mood swings because they're trivializing a serious condition that impacts every aspect of my life."
