Originally published in the January 2026 Developmental Disabilities Supports Division Newsletter.
Despite facing skepticism from family and society due to cerebral palsy, I graduated from New Mexico State University with honors, challenging perceptions of success for those with disabilities.
During birth, a lack of oxygen damaged the motor system of my brain causing quadriplegia CP. I can’t speak clearly, walk on my own nor handwrite, but I can think, learn and feel just like anyone else. Although CP limits my mobility, I can still live a fulfilling and successful life by using assistive technology.
For mobility, I use a power wheelchair to get around. Currently, I use an Accent 1400, an augmenative and alternative communication device, to talk and do my coursework. Throughout life, I had different AAC devices, which are digital tablets or iPads with a software that lets me type whatever I want to say and speaks it out for me. I access my Accent 1400 with a Bluetooth joy-stick, the same one I use to drive my wheelchair.
All this assistive technology, along with therapists, family, professors and support services, helped me be where I am today. After over nine years, slowly but surely, I earned a Bachelor of Arts with a double major in Journalism and Media Studies and Spanish.
College was challenging, but it empowered me to become independent, confident and find a sense of purpose in life. After enduring late nights, early mornings and heavy assignments, some of which were even published, I realized I aspire to be a bilingual disability advocate journalist.
Society, along with media, has indoctrinated us to think being disabled is something abnormal, making us feel less than others. As much as we try to belong or fit within what society considers normal, we simply cannot because we are different. We are often seen as someone to feel sorry for, incapable, unattractive, and even asexual, excluding and stigmatizing us. Sadly, yes, the world was not created with us in mind, even though disabilities or, better yet, diversabilities have always been part of society.
As a disability community member, I see myself contributing to normalizing diversabilities in my future career. With my firsthand experience, journalistic and public speaking skills, I hope to create a lasting impact, changing the way disability is viewed. The world needs to stop stigmatizing disabilities and start embracing them.