Jays world

By far the hardest part of living with a disability, in my experience, is accepting the reality that people know nothing about me except for the fact that I have a disability. Even on my good days, it can feel as if I am going through life with a large shadow two steps behind me everywhere I go. Whether it's the government subjecting me to invasive and unnecessary evaluations to prove my disability or the blatant inaccessibility of certain parts of my community, the shadow that is my disability seemingly never leaves my side. Don't misunderstand me, I live a wonderful and productive life despite the hurdles life has thrown my way! I feel incredibly fortunate to have the support system of friends and family that has helped me achieve the best outcome for my situation. Nevertheless, I still get frustrated by society's tendency to compartmentalize me into a one-dimensional box that only focuses on my disability and, by its nature, disregards all the things that make me a comp...

Every person on the planet faces the challenge of proving that they belong Some people have to prove that to themselves While others have to prove that to those around them. In my case, Because of my circumstances, I feel pressure to do that on a daily basis! Sometimes this pressure is no different than What other people think and is normally based on this situation. On the other hand most of the pressure I feel is placed on me Solely because I am different and It would not be placed on me otherwise! I can say with certainty that I am not the only person with a disability or the only person with different circumstances to experience this. Unfortunately, It is part of the price you pay for being different! Oftentimes I find myself in situations having to do double the work just to prove that I belong in order to achieve the same result. For example, I have had people assume that I should not be in the room because I did not look like belonged Whether I'm trying to go to college to i...