When organizations say “all are welcome,” what they often mean is “some.” This piece explores how disability exclusion is rarely malicious – but frequently chosen – through neglect, inaccessible systems, and conditional access disguised as inclusion.
This reflection comes from my work alongside Ryan, a friend and colleague who lived with Becker’s Muscular Dystrophy and taught me firsthand about the broken systems around personal care. The Long Road to Yes Ryan used to tell me all the time: “There’s no one out there.” He meant personal care assistants – the people who show […]
The Call That Stuck With Me I recently got off a call with a person of means who had reached out more than once to get involved with adaptive soccer. They were enthusiastic, motivated, and clear they wanted to help. So, I did what I always do: I asked about their why. What they care about […]
The Feel-Good Trap There’s a particular kind of silence that only follows when a stranger calls you a hero. A silence that stretches and strains – not out of awe, but out of awkwardness. We were in a small-town shop when an older man walked up and pointed directly at the person I was with. […]
Choice is a fundamental part of being human. Whether it’s deciding who to be around, where to live, what to do with your free time – choice is woven into the fabric of daily life. For many individuals (especially those with disabilities, mental health conditions, or other marginalized experiences) choice isn’t always a given. In […]
Let’s be honest – dealing with the people around the person with a disability is often half the battle. Some families and support teams are deeply engaged, educated, and proactive. Others are overwhelmed, struggling to even know where to start. Then there are those who, despite the best of intentions, have wildly different ideas about […]
Complacency is a dangerous thing. It sneaks in when we assume progress is permanent, when we believe rights are secure, and when we ignore the steady chipping away of hard-won equity. Make no mistake, complacency is being weaponized against disenfranchised communities right now. As the landscape shifts, the need for strong voices – voices that […]
Imagine a young athlete (perhaps a little Argentinian named Messi or a young baller named Lebron) with immense potential, but limited-to-no opportunities to develop as a player. Their family is eager to help, but unsure how to navigate the complex systems of advocacy and program development. Meanwhile, a national organization wants to grow its sports […]
Inclusion in sports is not just about allowing participation – it’s about creating an environment where everyone feels respected, valued, and supported. Yet, even in spaces designed to be inclusive, systemic biases and microaggressions often undermine the very purpose of inclusion. A recent futsal game I attended revealed how these dynamics play out in real […]
In the world of disability advocacy, trust, clarity, and authentic communication are, of course, super important. But sometimes, honesty can feel like a high-wire act – one wrong move, and you’re plummeting into the land of awkward and unintentionally offensive. It’s one thing to speak your truth and it’s another to do so in a […]