Yes, I’m in a Wheelchair — and Yes, I Run a Business”
✨ Intro:
Let’s be real, people don’t always know how to respond when they see a young Black woman in a wheelchair rolling into a room with confidence. Add “CEO and founder” to the mix, and you can practically see the confusion on their faces. But I’m here to tell you, we don’t need to justify our power. We just need to own it.
🧠 Living with Muscular Dystrophy: The Unseen Work
Living with a disability means dealing with more than just mobility. It’s managing doctor’s appointments, insurance companies denying claims, and the never-ending search for consistent caregivers, all while trying to run a business, show up online, and create impact.
People don’t always see the behind-the-scenes: the mornings I can’t get out of bed, the times I have to cancel a Zoom call because my body said, “not today,” or the mental exhaustion that comes from advocating for myself every single day.
💬 The Comments We Hear
“You’re too young to be in a wheelchair.”
“Oh wow, you run a business? Good for you!”
“You don’t look disabled.”
These statements might seem harmless, but they reveal how much society still needs to learn about disability. We are professionals. We are creatives. We are leaders. We are worthy, not in spite of our disabilities, but as whole people.
🎨 Why I Created Girls Chronically Rock
I started Girls Chronically Rock to express myself, but also to make space for others like me, because our community deserves visibility, celebration, and style. What started as a t-shirt line has grown into a movement. It’s about clothing that speaks, but also a brand that empowers.
📲 Coping, Creating, and TikTok Laughs
Some days, I cry. Some days, I laugh uncontrollably at TikToks that perfectly capture the chaos of living with a chronic illness. Humor helps. So does creativity. Pouring myself into the blog, new designs, and upcoming events like Disability Pride keeps me going. When people say they feel seen through this brand, that’s when I know I’m doing something right.
💖 Real Talk to My Community:
• Your diagnosis does not define your dreams.
• You can build something powerful, even on the days you feel powerless.
• It’s okay to rest. It’s okay to ask for help. And it’s okay to take up space.
🌟 Final Thoughts:
Being disabled and chronically ill doesn’t mean we’re broken, it means we’ve adapted. We’ve learned to navigate a world not built for us and still show up strong. That’s not weakness. That’s resilience. That’s power. That’s Girls Chronically Rock.