I define creativity as making the seemingly impossible, possible. People with disabilities go through life with determination and strength, while other wonder if they could accomplish the same thing. Often times I have a goal in mind that may seem impossible but I find a way to make it happen. If there is an obstacle in the way of achieving my goal, I figure out a way to accomplish it all based on a foundation of ingenuity and creativity. You do not just decide that you cannot do something or it is impossible, it just takes a pinch of ingenuity some creativity and a lot of hard work. A…

The Art of Becoming a Successful “Zebra” I never fully comprehended the phrase “You wear the dress; the dress does not wear you,” until I was diagnosed with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, in December of 2014. When I was diagnosed with a disease that could affect every aspect of my life, I learned what it meant to take control of my life. Waking from surgery is akin to rebirth. The third day following each surgery is the worst. The pain becomes real on this day and realization of the next recovery steps hit me. Unaware that I had Ehlers Danlos syndrome when I had the first two surgeries, I assumed that…

Hannah Demsien Katie Gross Katie Proietti Chelsea Reynolds Tori Hayes Sarah Schlink Lauren Lipsyc Patricia Bordonaro Macy Szucs Amber Igodan Holly Dwyer Matrice Iantorno Jeremy Razo Victoria Goodman Kathleen Downes Shelby Marler Garret Kawa Rachel Triay Megan Allen Victoria Dzorka Sarah Dudley Daniela Salinas Blanca Rocha Becerra Rachel Altman Nicolas Ryland Kate Pecora Julia LiPuma

    “Goodbye Drew,” I exclaimed as I did every time I left his house after an action-packed hour of play therapy. Every Wednesday when I arrived, Drew would immediately pull me into an array of activities. First of course we would, or rather I would sing our weekly playlist of Drew’s favorite songs, which include “The Wheels on the Bus,” “If You’re Happy and You Know It,” and “Happy Birthday.” Drew, a non-verbal eleven year-old boy with autism and Down Syndrome, would just clap and babble along with a grin. But this particular Wednesday afternoon was different. As I was waved goodbye, he said for the first time, “Bye…

Accepting the idea of normality would be a gross understatement of the challenges I have overcome. I am not normal, nor have I ever been society’s version of “normal”. Walking two hundred feet is a marathon. A flight of stairs is nothing short of a miracle. I live with Spinal Muscular Atrophy, a rare neurological disease similar to ALS in that my muscles have deteriorated to a point where it is incredibly difficult to function without the use of a wheelchair. There is one thing that the weakness of my legs will never take from me – the ability to control my future. Growing up, I felt the constraints of…