Born in the nation’s capital and raising my daughters here, I have been through many trials and tribulations I wouldn’t wish on the people who hate me or love me. It’s like this… whatever you want to do, you do it, you go through it, and then let me know how you handled it, if you even survive it. I am thankful I survived so much in my life. To still be here, I don’t take that for granted. I was born in difficult circumstances. My mom went through so much that she had to press the button so she would die. It was a horrific labor. It’s a lot just to process that, but I was also born with a hole in my heart. I will say this, though, I don’t have a hole in my soul.
So what gives anyone the right to judge, push their opinions, or make policies about parents? I don’t put my children in harm’s way but I can only speak for myself. I am a woman with disabilities. When it was just me and my children, I had to learn and advocate for me and mines. I work hard to be the best woman and mom I can be. Yes, I have multiple disabilities, but I also have rights.
I don’t have a service animal or emotional support animal right now and it’s tough for me.
I know my heart and intentions, so it’s messed up for someone who can’t grasp my life to have a problem with how I do things and raise my children. They’re not paying any of my bills or giving me opportunities to teach my children.
My children know I have disabilities, whether they understand or not. I do my best to explain and let them know I love them. I have to apologize for the bullshit of other people who think I don’t raise them right. It hurts when people think they’re doing you a favor but they prejudge and assassinate your character. When you bully people or speak badly about someone, you don’t have integrity.
Whether I have support or not, I don’t want anything happening to my children. My children know I don’t keep them in danger. All that extra stuff about policies against children and liability is a metaphorical slap in the face.
What I am saying is, who makes the rules?
Nobody should tell a person how to parent their children. I am fully in my children’s lives all the time. Yes, we are in a housing program, have been in a shelter, and face housing insecurity. But to say children aren’t allowed in certain places isn’t fair. If it is fair to say no children are allowed, then it should be fair for me to speak up…right?
