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Family

From parenting, to caregiving, to understanding who we are, these pieces focus on navigating family dynamics and disability.

Photo of Heather and her two children, both with ice cream on their faces.

Who’s Missing From Conversations About School Accessibility? Disabled Parents.

“Mommy, you’re coming to my robotics presentation right?” my son asked. My son had been in an after-school robotics class for the last ten weeks and they were doing a “big presentation” on the last day of class. My son,…
A gray-toned photo of a person hunched over.

My Family’s Normalization of Pain Made Me Believe I Wasn’t Strong

My three little toes on the outer sides of my feet curl inward so that when I walk I sometimes step on them. They look like calloused half moons. The skin is red and blistered. My body has adapted to…
Blue text "Parenting Without Pity." on white background, next to teal logo of parent holding child.

Parenting Without Pity: Resource Video Trailer

#ParentingWithoutPity is a storytelling project where disabled parents offer compassionate and frank advice and guidance to non-disabled parents of disabled children.  We want parents to celebrate their disabled children for who they are and to learn from disabled parents who…
Photo of parent and child Laura and Wren Reeve

Two Generations Reflect on Life Before and After the Americans with Disabilities Act

The following is a conversation about attitudes, access, and ableism before and after the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) between Laura and Wren Reeve, mother and offspring, aged 48 and 19. Both have multiple chronic illnesses (between …
Photo of a woman in a blue jumpsuit standing at a podium on stage, speaking. She is looking up at the lights.

I’m Not Sorry If My Disability Makes You Uncomfortable

I spent the first 30 years of my life doing everything I could to not let people know I couldn’t see things. I ordered the same things at the fast food restaurant, I got dropped off a block away so nobody knew that my parents were driving me, I didn’t follow my dream to study medicine or be a scientist.
Photo of Debra Kahn and her two children with their arms around each other, smiling.

A Deaf-Blind Mother Shares Her Experiences Parenting Two Hearing Children

DEBRA: Hello, my name is Debra Kahn and I am deaf-blind. I’m a white woman. I have medium short brown hair. I’m wearing glasses and I’m wearing a blue sweater top. I’m one of five children and I have four…

Share your Parenting without Pity Story

You can submit your answers here, or leave us a voice message with your response by calling 206.324.1521 x 242  …
Lisa Ferris in a graduation gown. Her mother is helping her adjust her cap. They are standing outside in front of a red vehicle.

How Do You Figure Out Who You Are When You’re the Only Disabled Person in Your Family?

Your glasses scare people,” said my mother, matter-of-factly. The comment stung, but I knew she was correct. We were discussing why, at 16 years-old, I could not get very many babysitting jobs in my suburban neighborhood. My sister had just…
Photo of a young person playing drums. The person's face is not visible, but they are positioned behind the drum set.

How My Parents Helped Me Find My Disabled Identity

I have always loved the way drums sound. During parades, my focus was always on the marchers with the snares; while at concerts my neck was perpetually craned as I struggled to see over the taller members of the crowd …