Hello Jhana’s supporters, it’s your disability advocate and writer Jhana. Before I get to this blog, I have some good news to share. You know that I am in college right? Well last month, I had a class called Project and Portfolio 3 and in that class, we had to come up with our long and short-term goals that were in our action plan that lead to our project for the month. I am a self-published author in that being said my long-term goal is to be published traditionally. And my short-term goal is to boost my brand, “Jhana’s Writing Journey,” off the ground. Which is recreating my Facebook page, Instagram, YouTube and making a website. I also wanted to turn my script that I wrote in one of my classes into a Flash Fiction story or Novella. My instructor for the month said I should narrow my short and long-term goals down. He told me that it is kind of hard to achieve my dreams without a website. So, I’ve decided to make myself a “Jhana’s Writing Journey,” website. I will put the link to my website at the end of today’s blog. Now let's get into today’s blog.
On July 26th 1990 is when George H.W Bush signed into law that the Americans with Disability Act would be given a fair chance and not be discriminated against. Because of that law, it is official that July is Disability Pride Month. There is still a lot of work to be done. For example, they should be more accessible. I live in Hawaii, and there is very limited handicap Accessibility. People with disabilities now have to pay for the handicap parking Meter. This happened a few years ago. I’ve also noticed that handicap parking is very limited. If there is handicap parking, it is 20 feet away from where you need to go. And even though there is a handicap spot where I live, people with disabilities are not allowed to park there.
Why should you celebrate Disability Pride Month?
I know you might ask, “Why should I celebrate Disability Pride Month when I have the disability all year round?” I don’t have the answer but I think you should celebrate it because that is when the bill has been passed. I know most of you don’t like to celebrate your disability, but rather you want to dwell on it. I remember when I dwelled on my disability. I know what it is like to feel sorry for myself. I was the queen of that. I found faults in myself because of others.
What I found is that if you dwell on your disability and find faults because of your disability, then you will always be mad and hold on to grudges that you can’t control. To be honest, you shouldn’t be embarrassed about your disability because like I said, you can’t change it no matter how hard you try. So the best thing you can do is live your life to the fullest.
So that is why you should celebrate your disability, at least you’re alive. I’ve learned to appreciate my disability and not run away or hide from it. If I can do it, so can you. So continue to celebrate your disability and be proud that you are alive and healthy. Remember, someone is always worse than you.
