Kelly Douglas

You both will lean on each other in the wake of doubt, push each other to succeed to your fullest potentials, and cheer each other on as you face your biggest challenge together. 

Being the highly empathetic friend with anxiety, however, is often far more complicated than simply listening to friends’ problems and offering a shoulder to cry on.

You are worthy of knowing that no matter your appearance, your shape, or your size, no matter what society convinces you that you “should” look like, this summer, your body belongs at the beach.

Why does this company want my résumé, a cover letter, a CV, a video I produced, a personality test, three published writing clips, three references, and a singing telegram delivered straight to their door? And why do they need to know which household appliance best represents me? 

You find yourself afraid of failure, but downright terrified of success, as success could prove you worthy of the very opportunities from which you run.

My confidence in my abilities has flourished because I have never stopped believing in myself.

Disability comes in all forms and is often invisible, so do not pressure anyone into disclosing their medical history, assume what any given person requires or judge people with invisible disabilities for using the resources to which they’re legally entitled.

My best-kept secret is out, splashed across the Internet where it can be liked, commented on, shared with the world and potentially trolled. Why, then, do I often feel so afraid to reveal my secret, my disability, “in real life?”

But deep in my heart, I choose to press on because I believe that life will get better.

Give thanks for the person who constantly criticizes you. 

It’s perpetually guarding your heart, refusing to let others in to see your scarred beauty because you fear that if you express your truth, they will leave.

In the wake of my tears, as my past collided with my present, I re-discovered my purpose, the desire that fueled my advocacy.