14 Comments
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Kris Willcox's avatar

Your memoir is such a daring, layered, amazing piece of work. It's awesome to watch it growing.

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Do it For Love's avatar

ditto this times one million. You are a glorious, incredible writer (and all around human).

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Elizabeth Bayou-Grace's avatar

Right back at you! I wouldn’t be half the writer without you in my corner.

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Elizabeth Bayou-Grace's avatar

Thank you Kris. My memoir is all the better because you’ve been reading it. I’m endlessly grateful!

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Ed Godbois's avatar

<3 the baby Elizabeth photos.

This month we're swimming in disability pride! The boy is going to Hole in the Wall Gang Camp this week by himself. Next week we're going to Camp Sunshine as a family for their brain tumor week and the following week both kiddos will be going to Double H Ranch. All are summer camps (and more) for kids for serious illnesses. All are 100% free.

In the wake of the boy's first brain surgery I didn't know how to cope. I retreated inside myself. I didn't want to have "my people," I wanted to be by myself, alone, in the dark.

But slowly over the course of years I've found so much strength in being with "our people" as a part of communities that have grown up around these get togethers. It's so heartening to just be with folks who get it and be in a safe space where everyone, no matter their support needs can raise some hell in the woods, whether it's all-abilities horseback riding or adaptive skiing.

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Elizabeth Bayou-Grace's avatar

That’s so exciting. I love that these camps so regularly include the larger family. It is good to be around other people with different needs. I loved the disability art group I used to attend. It was one of the first spaces I wasn’t self conscious about how I hold a pen, for instance.

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Steven Lewis's avatar

I love you.

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Elizabeth Bayou-Grace's avatar

I love you too! ❤️

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Olivia's avatar

I admire your strength, wit, dexterity, and savvy (not to mention your writing skills)! Thank you for letting us in!

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Elizabeth Bayou-Grace's avatar

Thanks for letting me in! ❤️

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L. Cohen's avatar

Happy disability pride. We are tenacious. We show up anyway. We adapt. We are resilient. We are still here and we are not going away. Thank you for sharing your story.

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Elizabeth Bayou-Grace's avatar

Happy disability pride to you too! Tenacious is a great word for us.

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Patti Lewis's avatar

I’m so proud of you my beautiful girl

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Elizabeth Bayou-Grace's avatar

Thanks Mom, love you!

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