This changed my life forever.
For years, I despised being disabled.
Id hide my heart transplant scar by rarely wearing any clothes that showed my chest.
Photo of the author by Victoria Sarno Jordan/The Hill
But eventually, I got tired of concealing my existence as a black woman with a disability.
The world was already doing that for me.
Every year during BETs Black Girls Rock!
Awards, my eyes are glued to the television.
This extends way beyond awards shows, too.
I can’t tell you how many sisters have tried to pray awaymy disability.
But God didnt make a mistake on me.
I dont need to be repaired or fixed.
Reminding myself that Im whole helps me counteract those feelings.
Its telling me my wheelchair should make me less desirable, which couldnt be further from the truth.
Similarly, a former boss once thought he was paying me a compliment by saying, Youre not disabled.
That is not up to you to decide.
Its not only that theres nothing wrong with beingdisabledIm proud of it, too.
Saying I’m proud to be disabled is usually met with shock, confusion, and opposition.
But we disabled black women owe it to ourselves to recognize our greatness, even if the world doesnt.
Black womenliving with disabilities deal with the triple-headed monster of racism, sexism, and ableism.
Ive recognized that I will have to work exponentially harder than most other people to achieve my goals.
Ive faced judgment on every front, but I use that to my advantage.
Most people underestimate wheelchair users, women, and people of color.
(I often joke that Im a silent threat on wheels.)
I founded the education nonprofitProject ASCENDto help young black women and disabled youth get to college.
In 2011, I started with a $500 college tuition refund check and a dream.
In Project ASCENDs first year, we surprised five African-American girls with college scholarships.
To date, we’ve distributed over $15,000 in scholarships to black and disabled college students.
Sometimes I wish the doctors who repaired my heart could develop a similar cure for emotional heartbreak.
Journaling is crucial for me to have space to unpack my feelings.
I also ensure to build friendships with other disabled black women.
But Ive also chosen to end some of those friendships when necessary.
Its heartbreaking and tough since our community is so small, but its the right choice for me.
The company you keep [is] very important.
If you look hard enough, you will see how disabled black women have touched the world.
Born legally blind, feminist writerAudre Lordeused her experiences withcanceras inspiration for various essay collections.
Former Texas congresswomanBarbara Jordanmentored future leaders while coping with the effects ofmultiple sclerosis.
We are not a mistake.
We are not a tragedy.
We are disabled black girl magic.
