Author Archives: pencilpicasso

2017 Part 2: Paying It Forward

“I always wanted to be able to do that for someone else but was either too lazy or not confident enough to take the first steps.”

2017 Part 1: Reunions

Then there was the reunion that brought back tears; thankfully not sad tears. The experience was just unexpectedly more emotional than I anticipated I could handle. And yet I wouldn’t have had it any other way.

Am I More Than A Disability?

I’ve been disabled for over seven years now. It’s been hard but it’s been amazing. Sometimes I feel like it’s all too much to handle, sometimes I feel like I might be the luckiest guy on the planet. Today I don’t feel so lucky. I know I have it quite good considering, I know thingsContinue reading “Am I More Than A Disability?”

Dear Dad…

I learned a lot from my dad. I wish he could’ve seen exactly how much.

New Shoes & Autonomic Dysreflexia

Autonomic Dysreflexia: Probably one of the most critical side effect some spinally injured people face. Affects pretty much every facet of day to day life.So much hassle to wear good shoes.

Dating While Disabled

Dating. One of the many things I’ve had to completely relearn from the ground up since becoming disabled in 2010. Dating while disabled can be one of the most gut wrenching and, at the same time, liberating things a person can go through, at least in my experience. Before my disability I never thought twiceContinue reading “Dating While Disabled”

How can we relate to other people’s disabilities?

Understanding is the best way to relate to other people’s issues. In my experience living with a disability, the most awkward encounters were with people who did not understand my disability. So I wanted to see how much of a difference “understanding” could make. I recently began talking to a few people online who hadContinue reading “How can we relate to other people’s disabilities?”

The Boy With A Hole In His Chest

I’m not everyone’s cup of tea. Some people just prefer coffee I guess. But I have noticed a bit of a trend. A lot of people seem to like tea. My tea. I get told a lot about how I’m this and that, how people like me and how I make them happy… and IContinue reading “The Boy With A Hole In His Chest”