Did I just (seemingly needlessly) disclose that I'm blind in a get-to-know-you call with my coordinator in the organization I volunteer with? Yes. Yes I did. And I will not apologize. Because if I don't say so, I'm potentially holding back a ripple effect of good things. I'm potentially keeping the opportunity of being an exchange student away from another disabled kid, because disability, in all the "acceptance and tolerance" talks, wasn't covered. And it needs to be. I am sick of representation not covering more. I know there are important issues, but I shouldn't feel like a liability, an inconvenience, anything like that because I'm disabled. I shouldn't feel like I have to keep it away from the students or families I support, in fear that they'll communicate differently with me, or even stop talking to me entirely. I shouldn't feel that way but I do, and a big organization like the one I work with right now, can afford to acknowledge that. There are specialized school, there are disability organizations who would be happy to get involved and help disabled students have a wonderfully fulfilling exchange. Exclusion as a result of a lack of access or knowledge in most cases just isn't an excuse anymore. Rant over. #disability #advocacy #vollunteer #exchange #exchangeStudents #representationMatters