10/26/2026
People often ask me, “How do you manage living with a disability, running multiple businesses, traveling, creating artwork, writing books, and advocating for others while dealing with chronic pain?” 💙
The truth? Some days I don’t even know how I do it myself. 😂
I was born with Sacral Agenesis, also known as Caudal Regression Syndrome, a rare congenital condition that affects the development of my lower spine. I’ve been uniquely abled since birth, and my entire life has been about adapting to a world that wasn’t necessarily designed for someone like me.
I’ve gone from leg braces to different mobility devices, and after surviving a traumatic boating accident in November 2024, I became a permanent wheelchair user. Along with my disability, I navigate chronic pain, migraines, nerve complications, and the emotional challenges of trauma.
Some days I’m traveling across the country for book signings, speaking engagements, art exhibitions, and accessibility advocacy. Other days, I’m struggling to get through the simplest daily tasks because my body has reached its limits.
People see the artwork, the business meetings, the smiling photos, the adventures with Oreo, and the communities I’m connecting with. What they don’t always see are the sleepless nights, the pain, the medical appointments, and the amount of energy it takes to keep showing up.
And that’s something I wish more people understood. Just because I’m smiling doesn’t mean I’m not hurting, and just because I’m living my life doesn’t mean my disability has disappeared.
I didn’t spend my entire life overcoming barriers just to sit on the sidelines of my own story. I have dreams to chase, communities to inspire, and a purpose that is so much bigger than the challenges I face. 🦋
So I keep going. I build my businesses around my unique abilities, not around society’s expectations of what someone with a disability should or shouldn’t be able to accomplish.
Is it exhausting? Absolutely.
Do I have difficult days? More than people realize.
Would I give up the opportunity to experience this beautiful world? Not for a second.
But I also need people to understand that my energy isn’t unlimited. Sometimes I need to cancel plans, take time to recover, or simply say no without feeling guilty for choosing my health.
I’m not trying to prove that I can do everything. I’m trying to create a meaningful life where I can share my gifts, use my voice, and remind others that our differences are what make us extraordinary.
My disability is part of my story, but it will never be the only chapter. 💙
And to every person who purchases my artwork, reads my books, invites me to speak, supports my businesses, or shares my advocacy, you’re helping me continue living that purpose.
Because at the end of the day, I don’t want to spend my life just surviving. I want to LIVE, create memories, inspire change, and leave this world a little more accessible and compassionate than I found it. 🌎✨
We all have something we’re navigating, whether it’s physical, emotional, or something the world cannot see. Be kind to yourself, give others grace, and never underestimate the power of your own unique abilities.
, , , ,
