As I said in my post Direction that Doesn’t Direct Us in the ‘Communication Detours’ category, we are all taught to divide groups in the world’s population, at least, by implication via ‘Black History Month’ or ‘Women’s Rights.’ Politicians, too, segregate groups of constituents. But the societal push for individuality compels us to choose either defiance or acceptance of the stereotypes.

I am defined by defiance–defiance has been both my main coping mechanism and my tool for advocacy. Sometimes this means a simple smile to spread small joys or miracles of the mundane; or it can mean a whole attitude of goofiness like zooming around lavishing the wind in my hair as I did figure eights on central campus (Please see my post My Scooter in the ‘Poetry in Motion’ category.) And it also means transforming misfortune. Really, I don’t have full control of my facial muscles. But I use it to my advantage. I spread joy, make good out of bad, and promote public awareness all at the same time. Transformations like this have become so habitual now that I don’t even think about them.  I use my soft speech to reprimand my students gently, and I use my position as a wheelchair user for empathy with them (a lot of wheelies I know do this.) I use my speech difficulty to understand communication issues thoroughly in order to be an awesome communicator on paper (or computer screen). Slower speech forces me to think of the most efficient ways to say something, and slower typing enables me to write most colorfully.