Inner Blueprint + Purpose
Image Description: Me standing outside in front of Nellies, in the hot sun, wearing a white t-shirt, muted green flowy pants, holding a cane smiling at the camera. Toronto, Ontario. 2019.
“What you heal in yourself becomes the blueprint that others can use.”
As my disease progressed, I struggled with deeper feelings of self doubt. The influence of my surroundings kept whittling away at my existence, purpose + self worth. Was our value truly only based on our physical capabilities/potential? I have been shown repeatedly there was no room for the sick/disabled and I succumbed to feeling like I wasn’t enough. Conditioning taught me life would be easier if I didn’t get in anyone’s way and I confused being a wallflower by force with being one by choice; staying quiet seemed like the answer. I then furthered this ableist thinking by closing in on myself—until I couldn’t.
Many negative experiences later, I’ve had enough. Now I move with purpose and continuously demand a better life for myself + for others. Holding space is a learned tool, powerful force and a practice I honour; I’m still learning to be seen, to speak my truth and to understand the space I occupy as a differently-abled person.
Today, I get to lead the conversation around the misunderstood, the overlooked and the unspoken. I get to teach* others that they are enough, deserving + loveable. I teach how to make space and to hold space for oneself bc our mind is more powerful than the influence of our surroundings. When love conquers all, you can make it through anything ♥️
*Photos are prohibited inside Nellies + I definitely do not teach the importance of ironing pants.