The Hooters–Until You Dare Lyrics | Genius Lyrics
This morning I was thinking about New Year’s Day and everything I learned in the past year.
Here is a brief summary of some personal accomplishments/events in 2025:
- I finally published my memoir, Persistence: Living an Authentic Life with a Disability.
From this, I learned that the self-publishing business is not everything I hoped, and there are some bad actors out there who will be your friend for as long as you have the money to pay them. Sitting here today with my savings near depleted, I still believe I would do almost everything I have done to promote it. For a while, I felt I was living the dream. That’s why I thought of the song Until You Dare, my mantra these days.
- I also completed a four-course Advanced Certificate in Disability Studies. I learned so much from this. My new friends from Disability Studies would probably read Persistence and look for the academic references, but the concepts I wrote about in the book are based on my lived experiences long before I ever heard that there is such a thing as Disability Studies. I am living proof that most of what the academics are writing about is true without the studies including experimental design and statistics.
- The young people in the Disability Rights movement are beyond the survival mode that the movement was in when I started in it. I am grateful that many of the younger ones are taking advantage of the opportunities we never had. However, I also learned that there is still room for an aging crusty advocate like me. There are still people who need to freed from nursing homes and other institutions. I found a spot where I can work and still have a hand in it. It is a thrill every time to think that someone has a chance at a life as a regular citizen.
- Earlier this year, after one too many falls, I made the transition to using a wheelchair when I go out. I am still adjusting. I am glad that I had a lot of experiences before this change that prepared me for the transition. I am finding that the world around me is accessible BUT… It’s a topic that I will write more about in the near future.
I would love to hear about your comments and your year in review. I hope to encourage others to live the life they really want.
Love,
Linda