Reclaiming Your Independence with a Disability

Reclaiming independence while living with cerebral palsy requires determination, creativity, and sometimes stubbornness. Independence isn't about doing everything alone—it's about having the freedom to make your own choices and live life on your terms.

• Traditional independence milestones look different for someone who communicates using assistive technology
• Discovering iPhone and Proloquo2Go app became my voice, confidence, and key to freedom
• Taking my first solo trip despite others' doubts was a defining moment in my independence journey
• Independence doesn't mean doing everything alone—it means having choices
• Your version of independence might involve assistive technology or support systems, and that's valid
• Starting small steps toward independence can begin with self-advocacy or exploring helpful technology

Join the Bedside Diaries community on Discord at https://discord.gg/4nwtRnRY for a safe, supportive space to share stories and connect with like-minded people. Support the podcast on Ko-fi at ko-fi.com/kathwe43 or become a Patreon member at patreon.com/thebetstodiaries for exclusive perks.

Chapters

• 0:18 Welcome & Support Information
• 1:01 Redefining Independence with Disability
• 1:34 Technology as My Voice
• 2:19 My First Solo Trip
• 3:28 Community Invitations & Closing

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:18

Hey everyone, welcome back to the Bedside Diaries. I'm Kat and today we're talking about something deeply personal reclaiming independence while living with a disability. Before we begin, I want to invite you to support the Bedside Diaries on Ko-fi at ko-ficom slash headway43. Every contribution helps me create more episodes, raise awareness about cerebral palsy and support others on their journey to independence. Your support truly makes a difference. Thank you. Now let's get started.

Speaker 1: 1:01

For many people, independence is straightforward moving out, securing a job or traveling alone. But for someone like me, who lives with cerebral palsy and communicates using assisted technology, independence has always been about determination, creativity and sometimes a little bit of stubbornness. From an early age, people doubted my abilities simply because of my disability. Basic daily tasks getting dressed, preparing food, traveling independently were seen as barriers. But to me, these weren't barriers at all. They were challenges to navigate, opportunities to prove the independence isn't about how you achieve it, but about having the courage to pursue it. One of the biggest breakthroughs in my journey was discovering my iPhone and the Proloquo2Go app. For me, proloquo2go isn't just an app. It's my voice, my confidence and my key to freedom. It has allowed me to express myself, advocate for my needs and help others with mixed disabilities find their own voices.

Speaker 1: 1:59

Before we continue, I want to let you know that you can now become an official supporter of the Bedside Diaries on Patreon. By joining our Patreon community, you'll get exclusive perks like early access to new episodes, bonus content, behind-the-scenes clips, the chance to vote on future episode topics and special queue and sessions. Your support on Patreon helps me continue sharing these important conversations and building a community around disability, empowerment and independence. If you'd like to be part of it, head over to patreoncom, slash thebetstodiaries and choose a membership tier that suits you. I'd love to have you air.

Speaker 1: 2:31

Now back to today's episode. Let me take you back a few years. I took my first solo trip. This was a huge milestone, not just for me, but for those around me. People were worried how would she communicate? What if something goes wrong? Can a non-verbal person really travel independently? I knew I could, armed with my iPhone and Proloquo2 Go. I set out to prove them wrong and, more importantly, to prove to myself that I was capable. The journey had its challenges, but every successful interaction, every moment where I was understood without help, felt like a victory. That's when I truly realized independence isn't about doing everything alone. It's about having the freedom to make your own choices.

Speaker 1: 3:16

Your version of independence might look different from mine. It involves assistive technology, adapted strategies or a dedicated support system, and that's absolutely valid. Independence is about being empowered to live life on your own terms. Now I want you to take a moment and reflect what's one small step you can take today towards reclaiming your independence. It could be as simple as advocating for yourself, exploring assistive technology, asking for support or making a decision that feels right for you.

Speaker 1: 3:42

I'd love to hear your stories, message me on Instagram, at at bedside diaries, or share your experiences using hash bedside diaries. Let's start a conversation about what independence means for all of us. Before you go, I have something special for you. If you'd love to continue this conversation, share your experiences and connect with an amazing community, join the Bedside Diaries community, discord. It's a safe, supportive space where we talk about podcast episodes, share advice on disability and independence and uplift one another. Whether you're looking for a place to share your story or simply want to meet like-minded people, we'd love to have you Join now at discordgg. Slash 4newtonry. And, of course, if today's episode resonated with you, please follow, leave a review and share it with someone who might need to hear this message. Thank you for listening. Until next time, keep speaking up, reclaiming your independence and embracing exactly who you are. This has been the Bedside Diaries with Kat. See you soon.