Tag: About Me

advocacy, Faith, Dance, Books, advocacy

The Causes I’m Passionate about

Telling people what Jesus has done in my life

I’m passionate about telling people about Jesus and what he has done in my life because he is why I am still alive. Even before I accepted him as my Lord and Savior, he was at work in my life, and he is still working on me today.

Getting people to stop using the words Disabled, Disability, and able-bodied

I have had a back and forth, up and down relationship with how I view myself and my cerebral palsy. I will admit that I started calling myself differently-abled when I came home from a week in Sacramento after graduating from high school. I was chosen to attend the governor’s committee of people with disabilities. One of the first nights there, we were shown a documentary that chronicled the history of how people with disabilities were viewed and talked about. The documentary said that the proper way to speak about a person with a disability was differently-abled.

Now that I am older and I am healing more every day from what people around me, honestly, primarily strangers, thought I should be. I have chosen not to use the words disabled, differently-abled, or disability as it relates to me personally. I have decided to say I use a walker or a wheelchair because I don’t see those things as part of my identity. They are equipment, and I am someone who uses them for assistance.

I am proud to be associated with people who use the term disabled community. Still, the reason why I do not like these terms is that they go against the things that these amazing people stand for. The word disabled means not able, yet I know tons of people who are kicking butt in life, so yes, they are able! And if you think of the word differently-abled, Everyone in the world is differently-abled because we were all created unique, not one of us is the same.

Furthermore, the word able-bodied is one of the most heartless words I have ever heard. I believe that it implies that people who are not equipment users or that are viewed as living without struggle are somehow better than those who use assistance and have to do things in life at a different pace

If I am asked, I will tell you that my name is Marie, and I have cerebral palsy, and I would be happy to give you a short explanation of what it is if you wanted me to

I am not Disabled

Faith, Dance, Books, advocacy

Blossom

I have been a fan of Mayim Bialik since I was nine! Seeing the first episode of Call Me Kat season two brought back a lot of memories.

When I was eleven years old, my physical therapist was a young actor who often had auditions at Sunset Gower Studios, where Blossom was filmed. While I was doing my leg exercises, he told me to continue independently while he made a phone call. After therapy, I found out that he had called someone who worked on my favorite T. V. Show! He had made arrangements for me to go to a taping.

That day was the most exciting day of my life! The front entrance to the studio was not accessible, so when we were trying to find our way around, we ran into one of the producers of the show, who took us to the entrance that the actors of the show use. At this point, my brain is about to explode! We entered the studio through the backstage makeup area.

The area where the studio audience was seated was not accessible, so my family and I were allowed to sit closer to the stage than anyone else.

During the show, Mayim came over to me, introduced herself, and hugged me. I also was lucky enough to meet David Lascher, who played Blossom’s boyfriend, Vinnie. He was very sweet, and he blew my mind because he held my hand!!

I also vividly remember seeing Joey Lawrence up close a few times, but I was too nervous about getting his attention because the first row of the audience was a row of screaming teenage girls. I can still hear them screaming

How old are you?!!

And Joey answering back

I’m eighteen!

And after that, more none stop. screaming

After the show, we exited the room the way we entered. I was able to talk to Mayim and David, and they both autographed photos for me.

David signed a cast photo and wrote:

To Marie, All my Love David

And Mayim signed a solo headshot that said

To Marie Thanks for visiting Love Mayim

I also remember that before I walked out. The door, I left my phone number and address with Mayim, and I asked her to give it to Joey. I never got anything from him, but that day was one of the best days ever!

Faith, Dance, Books, advocacy

The Importance of caring about style

Hey, I hope you’re having a beautiful blessed day. One year ago today, I had harmony and essence analysis done by @elyssa_aesthetic. Since then, I have paid more attention to how I carry myself because now I know the importance of representing the God who Made me well in this body. 

     I used to think getting dressed was such a chore, but now I know that for me, it comes down to keeping things such as jewelry within reach.  

I like this new version of me. 

In. In other news, I lost a bet with my dad last night, and he said I couldn’t have coffee for a week, but he somehow forgot and made me coffee.

Faith, Dance, Books, advocacy

Reflecting on 2021

This time of reflection is based on a podcast episode of #Detailtherapy by my friend and mentor, Amy Landino

1.  What Am I most proud of?

I’m proud of myself for realizing that it’s ok to be a wheelchair user.  It has opened up so many. opportunities for me.   Because I decided to become a wheelchair user again, that led me want to use Access service and go out on my own.  Even though my outings are simple, I have felt so much freedom, and I feel like a brand new woman.   I’m also proud that I chose to attend Rollettes Experience 2021 in July virtually and that I’ve continued to take dance classes. 

2. When did I have the most fun?


I’ve had fun with everything that I’ve been able to do this year.  I love hanging out with my life group at church.  I love my solo coffee dates with myself because they help me brainstorm new podcast ideas and get clear-headed in general. I also have had fun going to see my favorite singers perform, and I am grateful to call them my friends. 

   

3. Where did you fail?

I have not used my handcycle at all, and I said I would get strong arms to push myself.  The second place I feel like I failed was that I didn’t spend that much time with my cousin while she was sick.  I also am still kicking myself for second-guessing her pain and her faith.  She had more faith in Christ Jesus than I had ever imagined. 

4.  Did my theme ring true for 2021?

If I had to name my theme, it would be a new attitude, and yes, I think it rang true even more than I expected. 

5. What lessons did I learn in 2021?

  • My relationship with Jesus defines who I am; I don’t have to search for my identity.
  • Spend time with family and friends and tell them how you feel about them.
  • It’s important to know what you think about life and how to explain it respectfully if asked to. 
  • It’s fantastic to find a community of people like you who share similar experiences to yours. 
  • The things that I use in my daily life do not define me as a person.

6. Where do I wish I had spent more time?

With my cousins

What will I start?

I will start spending.time with my cousins.

7. What Will I start?


I’ll start using my handcycle, and I’l start creating dance videos.

8. What will I stop?

I’ve done pretty well with this already, but I want to stop judging myself for having a hard day.

9. What do I want to continue?

I want to continue being part of the Rollettes community. I’ve had so much fun getting to know the ladies. I also want to continue being independent and growing friendships with women like me. I also will continue this website and podcast. I can’t wait for the new year.

10. What is my theme for 2022


Marie Nicole Is A Boundless Babe!

This is not only because I’m going to be a member of the Boundless Babe Society but also because I want to experience more in life.

Listen to Amy

Encouragement Notes Episode

Faith, Dance, Books, advocacy

My timeline of living with something the world calls a disability

This is how things were when I was growing up:

In 1987 the year I started kindergarten, I was a student in the occupationally handicapped class. This was how we were identified as a group until I graduated from elementary school.

When I was in junior high school until I finished high school, our classes were known as special education/special day classes.

Entering college was the first time I had what has come to be known as a general education experience, which meant I was expected to do most of my work with the same guidelines as everyone else.

While I was in college, I joined an advocacy group called helping hands, a school club that promoted disability awareness and normalized using a piece of equipment.

Near the end of college, I met my best friend, Noel, who taught me to see my cerebral palsy as part of me , but not a disability.

Together, we concluded that; the word disability should only apply to things that can not move and not people because people are capable of thinking, having feelings, and loving others, so I’m on a mission to teach people to start saying I am an equipment user because people are not broken down machines