Give Me a Sign

by Anna Sortino

People give too much power to labels. It can feel exclusionary, whether intentional or not.

“Of course—everything that is new has the potential to be terrifying. But with change, we adapt. Like disabled people have done for, you know, all of human history. Modify, adjust, transform, innovate.”

Up until this summer, wearing my hearing aids was nonnegotiable. I diligently put them in every morning without question. I never would’ve thought I’d go without them for most of the last month. But I can do that. I have that choice—and so many choices ahead of me. A multitude of ways I can explore my identity and decide how to exist in this world.

Often, when people are inspired by disabilities, what they’re really thinking is Wow, I’m so glad that’s not my life.