You might notice that the URL of this page is different than usual! That’s because I am officially the proud owner of http://www.wordsiwheelby.com! I am SO excited! And as I sit here playing around with the design code on my new website, I have flashbacks to when I was a little girl, making silly pre-designed kiddie websites that no one ever looked at. I remember hoping that one day, I’d be able to write things that a few people might actually read. I never imagined I’d be lucky enough to be in a position that affords me the privilege of having my own website and allows me to engage with so many incredible people. For that, I am thankful.
I started Words I Wheel By back in August to carve out a little space on the internet for my disability-related musings. Since then, this blog has become an outlet not only for advocacy and discussions of disability rights, but also for me to discover more about myself.
This chance to learn more about myself came at an opportune time in my life. So far, it’s been a year full of changes, and there’s a lot I don’t understand about the world around me in relation to who I am as I grow. Reflecting on the year behind me, I’m filled with contradictory emotions. In my mind, I know there’s so much I have to be thankful for. Yet in my heart, there is a lot of pain that I’m struggling with. I wrote about a bit of it in my post on getting back in the water.
However, I realize there are words of gratefulness and positivity I must remember to wheel by every day, and that is what I want to focus on this Thanksgiving.
I’m thankful for my parents, who have always been my best friends, my role models, and my rocks.
I’m thankful for the rest of my family, who love and support me unconditionally.
I’m thankful for my true friends, who stick it out and keep it real with me when the going gets tough.
I’m thankful for my home and the memories these walls have seen in the past 17 years I’ve lived here.
I’m thankful for my education and the work that I do.
And right now, I’m incredibly thankful for all the amazing people I’ve gotten to meet in the disability community, for all the advocates who continually inspire my own passion for advocacy, for all the people who challenge me to think harder or in new ways, and for the people who have taken the time to read what I put out there.
Just having a place to write this all down makes me realize that no pain or heartache should ever outweigh all the reasons I have to be thankful. Getting to explore the complexities of disability in society has become more than just an occasional opportunity to write. It’s become a way to develop a deeper connection with the world around me, and most importantly, with myself. For that, and for everyone who has helped me so far on this unpredictable ride I’m on, I am forever thankful.
Who or what are you thankful for this year?
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