Nashville’s Disabled Fashion Ambassador and Changemaker Extraordinaire. Executive Director of Nashville Nonprofit Fashion is for Every Body
Today I have the honor of sharing an audio interview I did for the lovely Emily Davidson of Fashionability. The focus of Fashionability is accessible style for everyone, and it was a privilege for me to talk about fashion and style from an inclusive point-of-view.
Read MoreTwenty-five years ago my better half and I told the world we loved each other. Last week we had a party to celebrate the fact that we still do.
Read MoreLast week I did something I haven't done since I was 28 years old. I had a birthday party. Only three people showed up for my 28th birthday party, so I assumed only a handful would show up this time, too. I seriously underestimated my wonderful friends. When it was all said and done about 20 people came out to celebrate with me.
Read MoreI spend a lot of my time watching models strike poses at runway shows and photo shoots. Most of them are now friends of mine, as are the designers that create the pieces that float down the runways or end up on the pages of magazines.It's hard work, and they deserve a lot of credit for what they do. But what I do when I'm out among them is just as hard, and I'd like to explain why.
Read MoreSomeone recently described me as "well-connected". The world is well aware that people with disabilities exist and Nashville is certainly aware that I exist. The difference between just existing and really living lies in engagement. It is only in engaging others that the disability starts to disappear and the focus shifts to how we can connect as human beings. Only engagement can lead to genuine inclusion. I prefer to think of myself as being connected to some incredibly good people because I had the courage to engage them, and they had the character to reciprocate. Here are some of these extraordinary, fashionable people hanging out with me during Nashville Fashion Week
Read MoreToday is Spashionista's birthday. Seriously, it's not an April Fool's joke; the blog turns three today. I am very, very proud of several things that Spashionista has accomplished so far. It's safe to say that I've raised awareness of curvy, 50+ women with disabilities. Pura Vida Vintage reopened last week in a new, wheelchair accessible location, and you can expect to see me in lots of Pura Vida Vintage pieces, expertly altered to fit me by Only One Tailoring. In fact, if all goes well, next week you'll see me in vintage from several local shops. Speaking of which, many of you are having trouble finding the links to Nashville Fashion Week. I'll try to simplify it for you in this post
Read MoreHow do you feel about moving out of your comfort zone and taking chances? Would you be at ease in a room full of women your own age, talking about the things we have in common? Could you conceive of reinventing yourself and becoming an emotionally stronger, more visible person? Are you willing to share more about your authentic self - warts and all - in order to be connected to the people around you? Until recently, I would have said "no" to those questions (I'm still not sure about the last one). But this weekend I got the opportunity to take part in a gathering that has really changed the way I see myself and others.
Read MoreYou may wonder what a fashion and style blog has to do with compassion. After all, these things are often thought of as frivolous and superficial and having nothing to do with any deeper context. But I have a unique point of view that is accompanied by an unconventional opinion about fashion and style as it relates to people with disabilities. Namely, that we are entitled to both, even though they may be harder for us to come by. I believe that fashion and style can not only change the way society views a person with a disability. It can also change the way they esteem themselves.
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