Category: Lifestyle

  • Epic Universe Tragedy: What We Know and Why Ableism Isn’t the Answer

    Epic Universe Tragedy: What We Know and Why Ableism Isn’t the Answer

    Earlier this week, a 32-year-old guest, Kevin Rodriguez Zavala, died after riding the Stardust Racers roller coaster at Universal’s Epic Universe in Orlando. The medical examiner said he died from multiple blunt-impact injuries and ruled the death an accident. Investigations are ongoing, and the ride is closed for now. What…

  • Why Disability Representation At Fashion Week is So Important

    Why Disability Representation At Fashion Week is So Important

    Ever since I was a young girl, I have sought out disability representation in the media, entertainment, and fashion industries. As a born performer and lover of the creative arts, these industries have always had me in a chokehold of sorts. But more importantly, they passively inform our entire society…

  • Turning Disability Discrimination Into Creative Inspiration – College Years

    Turning Disability Discrimination Into Creative Inspiration – College Years

    3 years ago this week, I graduated from the University of Notre Dame with my BA in English and a minor in Business Economics After graduating, I founded The Rolling Explorer, a blog dedicated to sharing my experiences as a disabled, young woman living in the 21st century

  • London Fashion Week Is Still Ableist – My Experience As A Disabled Model

    London Fashion Week Is Still Ableist – My Experience As A Disabled Model

    As a disabled model, to be asked to walk a runway during London Fashion Week was a dream come true. But as incredible as the experience was, it showed me how much work still needs to be done within the fashion industry to be a truly inclusive space for the…

  • 4 Things I Learned From Speaking On UIC’s Disability Pride Panel

    4 Things I Learned From Speaking On UIC’s Disability Pride Panel

    Last week, I had the opportunity to do something I’ve always wanted to do. On Thursday, April 1st, 2021, I spoke on a Disability Pride Panel for the Disability and Human Development Undergraduate Student Association at the University of Illinois at Chicago. It was such an incredible experience and I…

  • My Covid Vaccine Experience And The Privilege of Being Visibly Disabled

    My Covid Vaccine Experience And The Privilege of Being Visibly Disabled

    I received the first dose of the Pfizer Covid Vaccine last week in London, England. This blog post documents my experience. Remember, everyone will have different outcomes and nothing I say here is guaranteed to happen to you! I hope you will get vaccinated as soon as it is available…

  • You Are A Badass At Making Money Review – Internalized Ableism And $$$

    You Are A Badass At Making Money Review – Internalized Ableism And $$$

    I started to read this book slowly, and quickly realized that I wanted to make it my January book of the month for 2 reasons: 1. I think talking about the ways in which my disability has impacted the way I view money is important to the wider conversation of…

  • 12 Deaf and Disabled-Owned Small Businesses to Support This Holiday Season

    12 Deaf and Disabled-Owned Small Businesses to Support This Holiday Season

    Engagement and statistics are great, but at the end of the day, activists, advocates, and small businesses need a little bit more than a like on Instagram. Seeing as we are in the middle of the holiday season and many people are looking for the perfect gifts to give to…

  • Health Insurance Is A Nightmare – Why The Prosthetics Series Is Delayed

    Health Insurance Is A Nightmare – Why The Prosthetics Series Is Delayed

    It has been 8 years since I’ve gotten a new prosthetic. The only reason I am looking to get a new one now is because my old socket is too big. Since January 2020, I have lost about 25-30 pounds. I sought a diagnosis for constant nausea and stomach pain…