It’s DisAbility Pride Month. I have to say, these last few months have showed me that I should be proud of how I was molded.
I lived in a metropolitan area of St. Louis for 11 years of my life, and found my niche. Over 4.5 years have shown me that my disability doesn’t define what I bring to the table. I advocate for a wheelchair company. A place that doesn’t have any obstacles. It has shown me the beauty in myself, and the voice I do have, and how to use it. It proves why seated height adds to the recipe of independence.
I love what I get to do. I can be the voice for the ones that haven’t learned. Life isn’t perfect. It’s progress. And I still have a lot to learn. But my mentor has become someone I trust, listen to, say yes to (because things can be worked out, and if you say no, opportunities sometimes don’t knock twice.)
Living in the burbs has its own set of challenges. However, life is 90% of how we react to the 10% of sludge. So I choose to roll, pun intended, with the punches. And use my voice to advocate what I need, and make the best of everything. But one thing’s for sure, I’ve still got a lot of adventuring left in me.
About Alison Chancellor: Alison is a friend of Quantum. She lives in St. Louis, Missouri, where she cheers on her beloved St. Louis Blues at hockey games. Click here to learn more about Alison.