I badly wanted to march in DC in solidarity with all of my sisters and our allies.  Unfortunately, I have severe pulmonary hypertension and receive life-sustaining medication 24/7 from an infusion pump.  Even if I could tolerate the physical demand, the risk of being unable to access my medication in the event that I was somehow detained has rendered me unable to participate.  I want to march for the rights of all people threatened by a Trump presidency: people of color, the LGBTQ community, women, Muslims, and all marginalized people.  My disability prevents me from working and I’m raising my two kids completely on my own.  Medicare pays for the medicine that keeps me alive and Social Security helps me to support myself and my kids.  I paid into both programs since I was old enough to work and now my life depends upon them.  I have dear friends in the LGBTQ community whose civil liberties are in jeopardy.  I march for them.  I march for young women, whose reproductive rights are at risk.  I march for Muslims, whose inalienable rights under the Constitution are suddenly called into question by the angry rhetoric of the 45th president.  There are three million more of us than them.  Our voices must be heard.

My name is Tracey Callahan and I have severe pulmonary hypertension.  I used to be an international corporate tax manager and licensed attorney before my illness overtook my ambitions.  I have two teenage sons and we live outside Philadelphia.  To learn more about my disability, please visit http://www.phassociation.org.