It’s that time of year. If you’ve been following my disabled Latina life, you know that my birthday is around the corner. I start making plans to celebrate more than the year before.
But then Covid came in 2020, things changed. Right?
Post Covid life is the same yet different in my life. One change is how much my body has changed. As of the last 30 days, I’ve had Covid twice. I should be thrilled that I am still alive. I am. I’m not thrilled that the same person gave it to me both times. But really? What can I do? I have other fires to put out.
I’m going to be 54 years old in nine days. I don’t have big plans with people. But I have plans and it does have to do with people, just not the way you think. It’s time that I share my life story. Normally, I’d say someone is too young to share their life story until they are in their late70s, but if you’re new here, you need to know that I have Osteogenesis Imperfecta. I’ve fractured hundreds and hundreds of times. I’ve had several operations too. All this before I turned ten. Yeah, that’s a lot for kids nowadays. So I’m happy that I am strong willed and strong minded at 53 because I don’t think I’d be strong if I were a kid in our current society. That’s for another section of my life.
I’ve decided that my podcast might have to be a Youtube video as well. It’s one of the reasons I am writing everything here. You see, not many people who know me know about this website. Therefore, less prying eyes but more freedom to share with you. Who are you? Well, you’re someone who stumbled upon this blog and decided you’d like to read it. So thanks!
I have a 12 year old niece, an almost 4 year old nephew, and an almost 2 year old niece who I love too much. Since my OI might one day take away my quality of life, I think it’s time that I write and speak as much as I can about my life so that when they are older, they can know me better. Not based on what others say because people always exaggerate the best and worst in a person once they are dead. Who needs that?
I had a podcast that was supposed to help people, motivate people, make people feel audacious. But then, I became too busy, helping myself, motivating myself, and making myself feel more audacious.
Oh, I was also teaching middle school and taking care of others. But I’m not supposed to say that because society thinks that disabled people like me need caring for. They don’t realize that we have responsibilities like everyone else.
This is actually one of the reasons why I must get my story out faster than ever. There are too many non disabled people who want to control the narrative of the disabled community. Some people label themselves caregivers or professionals in the disabled community to gain trust from the non disabled. Be careful, my disabled friends. Be very careful. Sometimes their message of empowering you is more how they want to overpower you.
I’m a veteran public school teacher. I see what goes on. Follow my journey. Learn more. Empower yourself with knowledge.
By the way, if you’ve read this far then here’s the link to buy me a cup of coffee. Right now, I’m leaning towards bottomless mimosas. Here’s the link. https://www.buymeacoffee.com/nathashaalvarez