From the day that I was born I’ve been marked with an “S”, it’s stuck to me like a stamp that has permanently stained my skin.
Spina bifida, scoliosis—the scary diagnoses meant to define me, but that’s only where my story begins.
Became a statistic before I could even breathe on my own, with a slim chance of survival, yet look how much I’ve since grown.
Learned to ignore curious stares since I was a child, to understand that they were just kids too, and just respond with a smile.
Sit up with a straight spine, stand tall in my sneakers—some of the things I’ve never done. Is that, to you, what makes me such a “special” one?
I’m no superhuman, I don’t see what you do. I may wear some stitches and scars, still I don’t need anything from you.
Despite several surgeries and sicknesses I’ve made it out, because that’s not what my life is all about.
Though it may seem, I do not suffer from what I have, so save your sympathy for someone else, and let me speak on my own behalf.
I’ve got no sensation in my legs, but I’m not half of a human, so don’t treat me that way.
Surmounted every stereotype and stunned the world, but I am that I am—I’m just a girl.
So call me strong for everything I’ve been through, but in your next sentence, make sure to say that I’m a sweet friend, a sports fan, a big sister, and a storyteller too.
~~~ Though I was born with a disability, I’ve never let it affect my entire life or mentality. I’m fortunate to have the best family and friends that treat me as they would any other, therefore I used to think it was silly to take a day to “celebrate” me, because there’s so much more to me than my disability. I always thought, “Why should I be celebrated for simply being me?” I’ve only recently realized that it’s okay to take pride in the things that make us unique from the rest, mine just happens to be my disability. Furthermore, by having a designated day or month for such, I can embrace those within my community and find comfort and familiarity within our shared life experiences. So, Happy World Spina Bifida Day to myself, and to all born just like me!
Today marks exactly two years since I posted my very first article to this blog site, two years of pursuing just what I love to do: write. Every year in my first blog post of the year I recap all that has happened in my life in the past twelve months and I share all that I wish to manifest for myself.
part of the caption I wrote a year ago today.
It’s safe to say 2021 did not go easy on us. This year has been a rollercoaster of challenges, yet so full of opportunity.
I did it!
Shortly after kicking off the new year, I received my freelance writing diploma. When I decided all those years ago to forgo traditional college and pursue my passion, I knew I was taking the unconventional route. But, I knew in my heart I was making the right decision for me. Just fifteen months after starting the online program, I completed it. It felt amazing to have some physical form of validation that my dream of being a writer could be a reality. Little did I know, a big storm was coming…literally.
In February, my state of Texas was in for a big shock when we were hit by a snow storm. My city almost never sees snow so to experience a snowfall of this magnitude was, in part, exciting. What we did not expect was for homes state-wide to lose power for multiple days during the dead of winter, my own home included. We were lucky that we were supplied with all necessities to get through the cold, but for other families many tragedies and financial issues resulted from the prolonged power outage.
May was personally one of the greatest month’s of this year. I turned twenty years old on the third of May, and even got a birthday wish from an actress who starred in Selena: The Netflix Series. Also during this month, I posted to my blog the first real interview that I had conducted. A month earlier I had virtually met and conversed with two amazing women with disabilities and got to learn and write about their lives for my blog. This was the greatest opportunity I have gotten in my writing career so far and it garnered me the most exposure to eager readers I’ve ever had this year.
Just two months later, I was given another great writing opportunity in which I shared Tammy Le’s story to my blog. When I watched the viral video that showed her heartbreaking reaction to her damaged wheelchair that had been mishandled by airline workers, I felt her pain. I wanted to get her story out so, in a spur of the moment decision, I took a chance and personally reached out to her. She allowed me to conduct my second true interview. That article also reached a wide audience and I will always be grateful to Tammy for allowing me to write for her.
2021 was the year that myself and many of my loved ones contracted Covid. It was in no way easy, but we are so lucky to have overcome the virus. In lighter news, the baby cousin I introduced on my blog last year turned one!
My adorable baby cousin Emily turned one in September!
Also, we learned that she will be a big sister to a little brother coming this Spring!
In late October, we found out the gender with cupcakes! It’s a boy!
Another cousin is being added to the crew!
This year came with many surprises, both good and bad, but that’s all part of growth. Still, there’s always things in life that remain constant no matter what and for me, that is my friendships. In the spirit of keeping my favorite tradition alive, I spent the eighth New Year’s in a row with my best friend!
Eighth new year’s spent together & counting! Here’s to 2022!
Many of the goals I vowed to manifest for myself and for this blog a year ago have already come true. I never expected to get the opportunities that I have so early in my writing career, but it showed me the true power in manifesting what you want for your life. On the other hand, I learned the importance of patience. You can speak your wishes into existence, but just because they don’t all happen immediately doesn’t mean they never will. Whenever I felt discouraged or self-doubt in my capabilities, I had to remember that big opportunities will come to me when they are meant to.
I find that ever since changing my upload schedule to be on a monthly basis, I am more proud of the work that I am putting out. Just as I had hoped, this year I was able to write about a variety of topics from fashion to sports, free-writes that just might be my favorite, and of course disability. In 2022 I hope to challenge myself to work beyond my niche and receive more opportunities in other areas that interest me. A goal of mine still is to reach a larger following someday and while I got a taste of that this year, I will keep speaking it into existence until I have a consistent following on this blog. Also, a dream of mine that I hope will come to fruition in the near future is to write for and see my name recognized under articles for various magazine companies. I feel that the only way I can eventually reach a wider audience is to get my name out there. In honor of the new year and another year writing for this blog site, I’d like to present to you my new custom-made logo!
Thank you to my cousin Brandon for gifting me my custom logo!
If you have been following me on this journey of creative bliss thus far, thank you for sticking with me and I hope you only continue to enjoy my writing. Nothing makes me happier than knowing my writing engages readers. Moving forward, the possibilities of what I could write about on this blog are endless and I am eager for another year on ‘Faith It ’til You Make It’.
》 Faith It ‘til You Make It 《 