I want to finish What Happened by HRC this week, finally, and also make your meatball recipe from last year and not have my balls crumble. I am THE worst meatball maker for some reason.

I’d also like to see what you’d create for a crockpot meal.

Intentions for this week:

Register for lettering class.
Make cornmeal scones
Look for yarn for another scarf
Finish rewrites.
Walk four days.

I hesitated to comment but this week’s mantra did not sit well with me at all, and in fact it makes me feel really uncomfortable.

I know people with chronic, limiting physical disabilities. I’ve worked with people with developmental and visual disabilities. But I can’t speak for them so I’m speaking for myself.

As someone with mental health issues and a developmental diagnosis, I know a good attitude won’t fix the chemical imbalances and neurological misfirings. Heck, I have to wear glasses to see, but I know that being happy won’t replace a good pair of glasses.

This type of thinking also means that people with disabilities have a harder time living in a world that often does not easily accommodate us or is increasingly difficult to adapt to. We are just as entitled to negative feelings as everyone else, especially given our circumstances.

For further clarification, you might find this Ted Talk helpful, it’s under 10 minutes and presented by the incredibly funny disability rights activist Stella Young: https://www.ted.com/talks/stella_young_i_m_not_your_inspiration_thank_you_very_much?language=en

I have loved and read your blog for years, and I hope you understand that this comment is coming from a place of education and not confrontation. Perhaps you could consider a different mantra or just taking it down? It would mean a lot.