Growing up with a disability was not easy. As a child, I wanted the same things that most kids wanted—to make friends, fit in, and enjoy life without feeling different. Instead, many of my childhood memories are filled with questions, self-doubt, and the feeling that I did not belong.
One moment that stands out happened when I was in school. Like many children, I was excited to be around my classmates and participate in activities. However, because of my disability, I often felt like I stood out in ways I didn’t want to. Some students would stare, make comments, or treat me differently. Being left out of things was one of the hardest things to deal with as a child. One example that was heartbreaking was when my classmates were playing baseball and decided to leave me out. I stood by the sidelines and questioned why I wasn’t given a chance. I remember going home after difficult days and asking myself, “Why am I different?” and sometimes even, “Why am I here?” Those thoughts were painful for a young child to carry.
At the time, it felt like the bullying and isolation would never end. I became very aware of how other people saw me. Instead of focusing on my strengths, I focused on what made me different. I worried about fitting in and spent a lot of time wishing I could be like everyone else.
As I grew older, I began to realize something important. The things that made me different were not weaknesses. They were part of my story. The experiences I had faced gave me a perspective that many people did not have. They taught me empathy, resilience, and compassion for others who felt unseen or misunderstood.
This realization did not happen overnight. It came through years of growth, education, and self-reflection. When I decided to study social work, I found myself drawn to helping others who were facing challenges in their own lives. I understood what it felt like to struggle with self-worth and to question whether you belonged. My education helped me see that every person has value, regardless of their abilities, background, or circumstances.
Becoming a licensed social worker was a milestone that once seemed impossible when I was younger. There were times when I doubted myself, but each accomplishment reminded me that my disability did not define my future. Instead, it became part of the motivation that pushed me forward.
Today, I proudly identify as a Black woman with a disability. For many years, I viewed my disability as something that held me back. Now, I see it as one part of who I am and that I can do anything I put my mind to. It has shaped my experiences, strengthened my determination, and influenced the work I do to support others.
One of the greatest lessons I have learned is that our challenges do not have to limit our potential. The words and actions of others can leave lasting scars, but they don’t get to determine our worth. We get to decide who we become.
When I look back at the young girl who questioned why she was here, I wish I could tell her that she would one day find her voice. I would tell her that she would earn a degree, become a social worker, and use her experiences to educate and empower others. Most importantly, I would tell her that she is enough exactly as she is.
My story is not just about living with a disability. It is about learning to embrace myself, finding purpose in my experiences, and discovering that being different is not something to hide. It is something to celebrate.
If there is one message I hope others take away from my journey, it is this: a disability may shape your path, but it does not define your possibilities.
– By Stacy Alaribe
“The experiences I had faced gave me a perspective that many people did not have. They taught me empathy, resilience, and compassion for others who felt unseen or misunderstood.“
