I Am Thankful I Have a Physical Disability.

Yes... you read that sentence correctly. I am thankful I have a physical disability and here is the short version of why!

Growing up, I always knew I was not like other kids my age. Most of the time I couldn’t run around outside, I never learned how to ride a bike, and stepping on the smallest rock could sprain my ankle. After two major surgeries before I turned two years old, my parents were very protective of me when it came to my leg. Even after being careful 24/7, I spent most of the time in a cast or ankle brace. I often joked that it wasn't a big life milestone if I wasn't in a cast.

This, of course, meant that most sports were off the table. When I was little, I was able to play T-ball but as I grew, I was physically unable to keep up with my peers. I even tried soccer in middle school… My surgeon made me quit the second he heard about that one. (oops) While I was happy dancing and cheering, part of me always wondered what it would be like to play soccer and softball with my friends at school.

As I said, I am forever thankful for dance and the places it has taken me, but one can imagine how different life would be if my leg was "normal." (I hate that word... what even is "normal?") With that being said, I am thankful every day that I was born with a clubfoot. It has made me the person I am and I would not change that for ANYTHING.

As I was sitting one day during the summer of 2021 when the Tokyo 2020 Olympics were taking place. I was scrolling through TikTok, and a post came on my feed. At first, I only saw leg braces. “Those look very familiar…” was all I could think. Little did I know that I was watching a member of Team USA tell the world part of her journey with having a clubfoot.

I was ecstatic. I immediately searched Kaleo Maclay and followed her on every social media platform. Being only two years older than myself, finding a person with the same disability made me feel part of a community. I know every disability is different and everyone’s struggles are different. But, I have never felt like I had more in common with someone I had never met than I did at that moment.

Growing up in a small town, I did not have the knowledge or immediate access to para-sports. Thanks to social media, para-athletes are becoming more recognized around the world. I hope that one day, I will be able to increase awareness about these incredible athletes and give children the opportunity to participate in sports no matter their ability level or location.

During my first year working towards my Masters's degree, I devoted most of my time researching and writing about disability representation in the media. I have learned that it is often incorrectly portrayed or portrayed for sympathy from the audience. Thankfully, this is beginning to change.

So thank you Kaleo Maclay for igniting a fire inside of me to inspire and inform people with disabilities that they can be athletes and that disability representation matters in all aspects of life!

I know this was just a little blurb about my feelings and that some people are still probably thinking, "Abigail, really? Thankful to have a physical disability?"

The simple answer is "yes." And I am so thankful that I have reached a point in my life where I am embracing my differences instead of hiding them. Who would've thought a TikTok would make me think about my life in a completely different light?