My Crippled Life-Starting Crippled Is Beautiful

So, everyone has been asking me why I started Crippled Is Beautiful and what the meaning is behind this movement. Well I started Crippled is beautiful as a hashtag, for anyone and everyone to use. Because according to some people in this world you can’t be sexy or beautiful if you’re a “cripple”. That word was constantly used as a negative word and as I’ve touched on this note before, I want to take that word back. I am in a wheelchair, my arms move weird, I’m chubby, I’m crippled and I’m beautiful.

It took me a long time to accept my body and my disability, it is hilarious for me to admit but social media had a big hand in my confidence boost. I’ve been connected with such amazing, kind and driven humans. People who are still considered strangers, cuz we’ve never met in person, have lifted me up! I’ve also been connected with over 30 people who have the same disability I have! ARTHROGRYPOSIS.

Through the hashtag I got a bunch of fellow wheelchair users and people with disabilities hitting my DMs and telling me how much the hashtag changed their view on themselves and how it lifted them up. Honestly it brought tears to my eyes how many of you have been touched by #crippledisbeautiful.

I am hoping this can become a community where all sorts of you can tell your stories! And I will continue to share mine as well. All my blogs will be titled “My Crippled Life”. I can’t wait to share more with you! Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram @crippledisbeautiful and be on the look out for some killer merch!

-Marna Michele