Blog Category
Sharing what I’ve learned about accessibility, technology, and everyday independence.
Author: Esther Klang
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Words hurt: reclaiming the language of disability
Ableism is not always loud. Sometimes it is quiet. Sometimes it sounds exactly like love. I can still hear it. My mother on the phone, voice carrying through the hallway, telling someone — a neighbor, a relative, a friend — “Yes, we have two children. One healthy, one sick.” Five words. My whole identity collapsed…
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Strong isn’t enough. I used to think it was.
When I first became disabled, my entire focus went to building strength. If the muscles were strong, I believed, the body would cooperate. That’s what I held onto for a long time. It felt logical. It felt like something I could control. Work harder, build more, and eventually the body would follow. I was wrong…
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The Weight of a Milestone: Finding Meaning in a Quiet Birthday
Today is my 31st birthday. I wish I could say I woke up feeling grateful, energized, or even just content. The truth is, I woke up feeling heavy. Birthdays have always been complicated for me, and this year is no exception. In many families, birthdays are a big deal. People gather, there’s cake, balloons, and…