I’m joining the disability march because I want to join the Women’s March on Washington, but am prevented from doing so due to my fibromyalgia. Even though I’m mostly mobile, walking long distances and standing for too long is exhausting – and I can only imagine what the technical impossibility of driving down, finding parking, joining the march, being on my feet for hours, and then doing it all over again would do to my entire week let alone Saturday.
But the administration that has just been sworn in as I sit here writing this poses the greatest threat to the disabled, to women, to children, to people of color, to non-Christians, to the climate, to anyone that isn’t a rich white man, than anyone we have seen since the early 20^th century. I want to fight, and I want to protest. But sometimes our spirits have to be constrained by the limitations of our bodies – and for me, that will likely grow as the Cheeto Presidency commences. So this is my first protest for 2017, online, wishing I do so in person.

In the immortal words of Howard Beale, “I’m mad as hell, and I’m not going to take this anymore.”

I have two degrees in Anthropology and Sociology, and a Masters in Criminal Justice. During my pursuit of a PhD I was diagnosed with anxiety, a panic disorder, and fibromyalgia, on top of the depression I’ve had my entire life. I was forced to leave school and now work retail, which renders me almost completely disabled when not at work. I’m now considering running in 2018 for state office. I am also an aspiring author almost done her first novel, and will be seeking professional representation later this year. You can visit my website at www.hkewing.com to learn more.