Marie had been living with a disability since infancy, but she had never let it slow her down. Growing up, her parents told her she could do anything and always encouraged her to stand her ground. She tried not to think about the challenges that people living with disabilities faced in the society, doing her best to push them to the back of her mind.
But as she got older, the reality of her situation often felt like a heavy weight on her shoulders. Despite her parents' best efforts, there were still many areas of life that were tough to maneuver around. Whether it was a lack of accessibility or simply the stigma of disability, it was hard for her not to feel like she was constantly fighting an uphill battle.
She tried to be resourceful, speaking out where she could and looking for creative solutions to everyday challenges. But the truth of the matter was that she was frequently faced with reminders of her disability. Restrictions that came with her condition, moments when she felt like an outsider, and those days when any progress she made seemed so minuscule compared to the obstacles that remained.
No matter how hard she tried, she could never forget the harshness of reality for those living with a disability - the seemingly endless list of ramparts and endless battles against the current. Despite her best efforts, Marie could never ignore the fact that there were still vast disparities between what she could do and those without a disability.
It offered a stark reminder of just how much people living with disabilities were often forced to endure and it never failed to make her feel a deep sense of loss. Even when she felt like she was making improvements, she was always reminded of the difficulties and limitations that still lay ahead.