4/29/26 - Stories and experiences

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Here are today's links, three personal stories, told in three different ways, but each providing more intimate perspectives on disability matters.

Power in Practice: Starting Over with One Hand

Sarah Levis, Power in Every Body - March 30, 2026

"But over time, my relationship with my right hand began to change ... At first I resented being forced to rely on it. Eventually, I began to see it differently. Learning to use my right hand became my way back into roles I thought I had lost: living independently, working, volunteering, travelling, caring for family members, and shaping my own future."

I’ve Been Disabled My Whole Life and I Still Have to Unlearn It

Steve Way, Steve Way's Substack - April 17, 2026

"Last week I took the bus to New York by myself to see a concert ... Nobody helped me plan it or came with me to make sure I’d be okay. I figured out the route, dealt with whatever I had to deal with, and got home. I’ve done the things people do ... I’m not looking for praise for doing this (but you can always call me a good boy). I’m telling you because some part of me, even after 35 years of living in this body and knowing exactly what it can do, still has to actively push back against the voice that says I should be surprised it worked out ... That voice is one I inherited."

The Cost of “I Do” in the Disability Community

Ford Foundation - April 28, 2026

"Jetter and Wickham are still not married, nor living together; they still hope to turn their promise rings into wedding bands one day. Their fight for marriage equality, for everyone in the disability community, has only grown stronger: On social media, they remain vigorous defenders of ending SSI loopholes, often posting Patrice’s advocacy efforts with other disability community leaders and her interactions with supportive policy leaders."

I'm going to keep my comments brief today. I'll just say that after reading these three quite different but personal and specific stories, I am reminded of what should be an obvious truth about disability discourse. There is no substitute for personal stories. Our individual experiences don't tell the whole story, or prove every important point by themselves. But, they are almost always essential perspectives on any disability issue you can think of. These pieces make me want to try sharing more of my stories and experiences, too.

Disability Thinking Weekday is a Monday-Friday newsletter with links and commentary on disability-related articles and other content. You can help promote Disability Thinking Weekday by forwarding it by email or posting on your social media. You can also comment by sending me an email at: apulrang@icloud.com. Collected comments are shared on the first of each month. A free subscription sends a newsletter to your email each weekday. Benefits of paid subscription include:

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