It's quite common to be told it's probably best if you didn't do this or that when you have a disability. I'm sick of it. I'm sick of people telling me I should "stay back" or to not "overwork myself." You wouldn't tell the "average" person that stuff. You say it to me, though. Maybe it is because you care, but maybe it is also because you don't want to have the trouble of me on your hands.

I simply want to inform you of a few things. First, just because I have a disability does not mean I can't travel. I am capable of riding in a car for hours on end. I am capable of sitting on a plane for hours on end. And I am capable of taking my medicine when I need to. Thank you, though, for checking in and making sure I am alright.

Second, I can exercise. I can still go on a run. I can still play sports. I can still go on bike rides. Crazy, right? Actually, it's not. I remember back in the days of physical education when we had to do the pacer. I had people ask me if I was going to be okay. Yes, I was. And if I wasn't I knew what I had to do. I am quite similar to you, and I can do the same things.

My next reason to make you uncomfortable is simply talking to people. My disability did not change my personality from before. I have always loved people. I have loved learning people's stories. I can communicate with people just like you do! Another crazy realization!

Moving on, my disability has affected my education, but I have never let that stop me. I have never let my disability decide my success. Sure, there have been many times when I wanted to throw it all away, but my disability wasn't going to get the last say. My disability does affect my education, but it does not hold me back with what I want to do in life.

Furthermore, I have been told that people weren't sure I was going to "make it this far." What a joke. People have thought I wouldn't make it to where I am today because of my disability. They put me under this category of disability = failure. I am here to say that is false. A disability, no matter what it is, does not claim you as incapable. I have seen it again and again in my life that people with disabilities have the power to succeed.

I ask you to stop saying "Oh, you probably can't [or shouldn't] do this because of, well, you know why..." It is terrible to hear that. All we, people, want to hear is that you believe in us. That's it. We don't deserve to be told we are incapable. We are just like you. Treat us like we are.