You know how some people talk about having an N-word pass? It’s a cultural allowance where someone who isn’t black can say the word in certain circles without backlash. It’s an exception based on trust and rapport. In the same way, I’ve noticed...

One of the things I’ve learned from having a disability is that people tend to underestimate you. When I was growing up, there were countless times when people told me all the things I’d never or should never be able to do because I have cerebral palsy:...

The first girl I ever asked out was in the 7th grade. It was at a school dance. For some reason, they always played Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven” as the last song. Everyone slow-danced to it. I bolted across the gym to Sara when the guitar...

I love the song “All I Do Is Win.” It’s got a catchy hook and underscores one of the central themes of American culture: We’re a society obsessed with winning. We’re taught as kids that winning is good and losing is bad. It’s ingrained in us. We revel when we win but...

When I was four years old, I had surgery on my lower back. I spent months in the hospital and longer doing physical therapy. I hated physical therapy. As part of the rehab process, I exercised with parallel bars every morning. It was to keep my muscles from stiffening...