Articles by Amy Shinneman

Dear Disability, Half a century. That’s how long I’ve been on this earth with you. That boggles my mind. I’m angry. I’m grateful. The childhood memories with you become more…

Living in Indiana most of my life, aside from a five-year hiatus in Memphis, Tenn., I am very accustomed to the four distinct seasons. There is something to love about…

It’s unbelievable how heavy carrying the weight of loneliness can be. It feels crushing at times when you are living through it. The weight of an elephant, a thousand pounds…

Optimism … hopefulness and confidence about the future. Are you naturally an optimist? I am not. It’s just not the way I was wired, but I have worked to change…

Many of us have likely heard the phrase “my disability doesn’t define me.” What comes to mind when you hear this? This is one of those phrases that can spark…

I was eight years old when a lady at our church approached my mom and I and took a chance – a chance that ended up changing my life. She…

As a person who has lived in a disabled body her whole life, there have been some major struggles with body image. As an elementary student, I was always self-conscious…

So, we celebrated briefly and got a picture snapped to document this incredible moment in time. As soon as that picture was taken, it felt like my mind reconnected with…

As we started to find our rhythm and settle into the 26.2-mile journey to the finish, I made sure I had my things in order for a smooth ride. The…