Disability March

Hi! My name is Andrea. I March in solidarity with my sisters in Washington, DC, New York, around the USA, and around the world. I march for the rights of every human being. I stand for my rights along with those of other women, and men, with and without disabilities.

I am a 61 year old woman from Ardsley, NY. I have worked in small business and corporate America.  I am a Multiple Sclerosis Survivor (2003) as well as a Cancer Survivor (2014). I am the wife to Norman, who is a survivor of Quadruple Bypass, Spinal Fusion, and Type 2 Diabetes.  I am the adult sibling and sister to Francine, who has lived with the effects of meningitis since she was 3 months old and is now 57. I am Francine’s guardian, primary caregiver, and advocate. I am a  caregiver and a carepartner. We live with some forms of “visible” and “invisible” disabilities.

I recall a world before Roe v. Wade, and before Civil Rights were the norm, before the ADA. I recall that standing together, recognizing that defending the most marginalized among us is defending all of us. I am appalled at the erosion of these and other values I thought were at the core of America. I am appalled at the hatred and divisive rhetoric that has intensified as a result of Donald J. Trump’s candidacy and election, his becoming our 45th president. My listening and hearing is not my disability. I have heard the most hateful and insulting words spoken which makes me fear for the loss of this country’s humanity. I fear for our future.

We are a diverse and beautiful group of people. I have friends and family who span the gender spectrum, who are LBGTQ, family and friends who are disabled, family and friends who have pre-existing medical conditions, and who would be hurt by the incoming administration’s policies. Proposed changes to Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and Women’s Health would directly alter my life and the lives of millions. I stand up and march with all of you, both women and men, fighting those who seek to diminish our lives.

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