There was a time when I could barely whisper the word disabled about myself. It felt like I didn’t qualify—like I was crashing a party I wasn’t invited to.

I know a thing or two about having to redefine a life. I’ve done it a lot.

By the age of 29 I had been a hairstylist and educator for a decade. Part of me knew I didn’t want to be in the hair industry forever, but I never thought I’d have to give it up because my hips were giving out. Or because every time I stood up, or stood for too long I’d start to black out.

I flipped my entire life upside down to be with my ex, become a bonus parent, and build my own version of a family. And in the process I lost myself and my business entirely.