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Rooted in Rights tells authentic, accessible stories to challenge stigma and redefine narratives around disability, mental health and chronic illness.
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Sia’s New Film “Music” Isn’t Just Bad Representation of Autistic People; It’s Downright Dangerous.
Content note: includes discussion of mistreatment of autistic people, including prone restraint Amidst the utter mess that was 2020, I found a bright spot by discovering the tv show Everything’s Gonna be Okay on Freeform. Though it’s not perfect, I…
Speaking Up Against the Hierarchy of Mental Illness Taboos
There’s a moment I think back to often from my senior year of college. Before the start of a meeting, I noticed my friends were visibly upset about some of the outrageous things a mutual friend with bipolar disorder (who…
Working From Home Levels the Playing Field for Disabled People. Why are Businesses so Intent on Returning to the Office?
I recently went viral on Twitter for sharing how a disabled friend was forced to quit her college back in January because the school wouldn’t allow her to study from home. Just two months later, she watched this exact accommodation…
I’m a Disability Activist Because I Have to Be, But Not Always Because I Want to Be
“Congratulations,” “this is amazing Shona,” “well done!” All of these are well meaning and probably deserved comments that I often receive in response to results from my activism work, but more recently they’ve felt less like positive encouragement and more…
Existing Between Two Worlds as a Person with Hearing Loss
When I was growing up, I did not consider myself to be a member of the disability community. I was born with a mild-to-moderate hearing loss that was not diagnosed until I was in kindergarten and I am the only…
Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop: Mothering with ADHD
Becoming a mother has been one of the most earth-shattering endeavors of my life. Motherhood fills me and drains me, unleashes and stifles. All of a sudden, my daily structures, routines, and systems have been thrown into the tornado of…
I Am Who I Am: Being an Autistic Latina Woman on Christmas
My autism means that I have always had an uneasy relationship with Christmas. When I was younger, the day involved straightening my unruly curls and getting dressed up for a large gathering at my great grandmother’s house, where my extended…