I’ve always found it interesting how my life works out sometimes. Almost like the universe is going to send me a message. In an interesting coincidence, I have been sick every time I needed to advocate health care reform. The …
This was for a panel discussion I was involved in last week. Since I didn’t get to deliver the whole speech (it’s fairly lengthy), they wanted me to put it on my blog. I hope you enjoy. Good Evening, My …
Observations From Below: Variation of a Full Life Read more »
Ever since I started Observations from Below back in high school, I viewed it as a way to make positive differences in my community. That is why it is hard and depressing for me to write blogs like my last …
“History, despite its wrenching pain, cannot be unlived, but if faced with courage, need not be lived again.” Maya Angelo I have been putting off this blog for a long time. I thought that enough people had spoken out against …
A couple of days ago, I attended the most recent meeting of the North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities. I had an epiphany while I was there. I had not thought of it before, but I’m involved in most disability …
Observations From Below: I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For Read more »
One awkward thing about using my living room as an office is that I get exposed to a lot Lifetime and TLC network reruns. I noticed an interesting trend on both of those channels that there are a lot of …
Observations From Below: All Right Mr. DeMille, I’m Ready for my Close-up Read more »
By now everyone probably knows that three Republicans voted against the latest effort to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. Senators John McCain, Susan Collins, and Lisa Murkowski joined 46 Democrats and 2 Independents in opposing the bill. Those …
Observations From Below: Where Everybody Knows Your Name Read more »
To stay motivated lately, I have been reading a lot of biographies and autobiographies of civil rights leaders (especially in the realm of disability rights). Over the weekend, I finished a book called “Fading Scars: My Queer Disability History,” written …
Observations From Below: If We Can Roll Together, Why Can’t We Rock Together? Read more »
One of the things I miss from my time at Guilford College is the graduation ceremonies. Since I was a marshal, I attended four of them in a row, including my own. When you attend as many graduations as I …
Observations From Below: Call Me the Starfish Thrower Read more »
North Carolina is the last state in the country that automatically prosecutes both 16- and 17-year-olds as adults, no matter how minor the offense. The evidence is overwhelming that this leads to worse outcomes, makes our communities less safe, and …
Observations From Below: Get “Raise the Age” Right for Young Offenders with Disabilities Read more »