I am marching because I want both of my children, but especially my daughter, to know that this is absolutely NOT the future I wished for them. I want them to know that, disabled or not, I will include my voice to say “No!” to intolerance, to racism, to sexism, to classism, and a very loud NO to violence against women.

I want history to know that there were voices of compassion, of love, of tolerance amongst the messages of hate and bigotry. I want future generations to know we resisted the incoming leadership, we fought on the side of justice and equality, and we refused to be intimidated or silenced.

I am a 42-year-old stay-at-home mom who became disabled in 2010 from a genetic spinal condition. I wanted desperately to march, but knew my physical limitations wouldn’t permit me.