A note of explanation and welcome...

First of all, I'd like to welcome you all to my new blog. This is an idea that has been rolling around in my head for awhile-creating a blog, I mean. I have a lot of ideas in my head that usually never get written down, so I'm creating this blog for that purpose. I'll mostly blog about disability issues and general rants, but who knows? I might blog about other stuff, too! *grins* I'll keep you on your toes...so to speak, seeing as I can't go on my toes.

OK, before I start rambling (which I think I've already done), I want to offer a note of explanation as to why I named my blog "Candidly Crippled". I know some people will balk at the word "crippled" and I wanted to clear those issues before they arise. I am crippled. I use the word as a term of disability pride. That's right, pride. I am disabled. I am very involved in the disability community and culture. I am not ashamed of who I am, in fact, I am proud. I wouldn't trade my CP for anything. It has made me who I am as a person and shaped my thoughts, my ideas, and my general outlook on life. I am candid. I'm not going to sugarcoat anything in this blog. I don't deny that the life of a disabled person is difficult sometimes, but it is made more difficult by others assumptions and stereotypes about us. So, for any able-bodied person that is reading this, I'm going to try and show you how we feel. We don't need your pity. We don't need your patronization. All we need is for you to see us as you would any other person. Thank you.