Support Disability Journalism
Hello there! I’m asking the public to help make my Disability & Art Blog a sustainable, full-time job so I can continue doing the work I truly believe is my life’s purpose.
For the past year, I’ve been running my blog unpaid, sharing personal stories, research, and resources to help others feel seen, informed, and empowered. But I can’t dedicate as much time as I’d like to…given that I actually have to pay my bills.
I’ve considered options like Substack, however, I work so hard on this, I want it to be available to the public, not behind a paywall. Disabled people are already navigating low income, job discrimination, and impossible medical costs. I want this work to stay free, public, and accessible — especially for the people who need it most. I’m doing everything in my power to help, but I need your help too!
I’m excited (and nervous) to officially share that I’ve started a GoFundMe campaign to help keep the blog going and expand it into investigative reporting, disability journalism, and a podcast called “Thank You So Much for Asking.” If funded, I’ll be able to write deeper articles, interview experts, speak to policymakers, and create a podcast that brings humor and news to the disability space.
This post outlines my GoFundMe campaign, including what your support will fund, expanding the blog, my qualifications, and your return on investment! Other ways you can help:
Share this with your friends
Subscribe to my newsletter
Spread my work with anyone you know who are affected by disabilities.
Every contribution helps me keep this work alive and accessible to all. Let’s help each other build a more inclusive space for disabled voices in journalism, art, and media! Thank you for reading!
PS - Can we pretend we still live in the AOL/Yahoo chain mail era, where you have to send this to 3 people you think may be remotely interested in this project? Even if you can’t contribute, sharing this would mean the world to me! Thanks again!
Support Independent Disability Journalism
For the past year, I’ve been writing my blog unpaid, sharing personal experiences, research, advocacy, and art to help others feel seen, informed, and empowered. I want to keep my blog free, but I can't continue doing this work without financial support. If you believe in free, accessible disability journalism, please consider donating. Every contribution helps me continue this work.
GoFundMe GoFundUs
Many people with disabilities struggle to access healthcare information, feel alone with their conditions, or don’t have the resources to navigate complex systems. To combat this, I’ve written & created art about living with disabilities, to provide others with insight and ways to help deal with them.
That said, I still have to pay my bills. To do this, I take work that pulls me away from advocacy. If this campaign is funded, I can dedicate my time to in-depth, investigative journalism that advocates for people with disabilities.
What Your Support Will Fund
Investigation of Disability Policy — I’ll interview politicians about Medicaid, Medicare, Section 504, and ways to improve healthcare for all.
Amplification of Medical Voices — Speak with doctors and specialists to break down complex conditions and provide fact-based, accessible health information.
Explore the Impact of NIH Cuts — Interview researchers affected by funding cuts & explore what it means for disability research.
Advocate for Accessible Workplaces — Help empower disabled professionals & push companies to adopt more inclusive practices.
Living and medical expenses — So I can prioritize writing & advocacy through the arts.
Interview & research costs — For professional, high-quality disability journalism.
Time for long-form investigative articles — Allowing me to advocate for systemic change.
Film & Arts Supplies — Along with my writing, I will photograph events and create art to help people better understand disabilities through multiple mediums and formats.
Facilitate meaningful & impactful change — For the disability community in a unique way that doesn’t currently exist in the mainstream.
Return on Investment
Your donation will help amplify disabled voices in policy, medicine, & media. Plus:
You’re funding free to the public, high-quality journalism & art that educates & empowers.
You’re ensuring disabled individuals don’t have to pay for critical disability news.
You're helping create space for disability news in a way that’s not currently available.
You’re supporting a disabled artist who has been doing this work unpaid for a year.
You’re allowing me the accommodations I need to contribute value to society in the best way I know I can.
What Are Your Qualifications?
Aside from having over 20 diagnosed medical conditions which have taught me to be creative, resourceful, and inquisitive, I also have a BA in Photojournalism from Emmanuel College, and a Master of Science degree in Interactive Media & Communications with a concentration in User Experience Design from Quinnipiac University.
I am an independent thinker with a love for philosophy, critical thinking, art, and advocacy. My disabilities impact my daily life, but they also give me a unique perspective on disability, accessibility, and the current state of the American healthcare system.
Articles That Your Support Will Fund
I’ve already started several articles that I will be able to complete with your help, including ;
Executive Orders' Impact on Disabled People
How to Be an Ally to Disabled People
How to Help Disabled Family Members
Advocacy Groups You Should Know About
The Power of Comedy in Navigating Disability
Endometriosis Surgery & Recovery
The Reality of Living with Chronic Pain
Disability Representation in the Media
Passing as Able-Bodied as a Disabled Woman
Plus investigative journalism & more of my personal experiences as a disabled person.
Expanding the Blog to Podcast & Audio (If Funded!)
To make my blog more accessible for the visually impaired and for those who prefer to listen passively, I want to launch an audio companion to my writing. I’ve been developing a podcast called “Thank You So Much for Asking,” which allows me to explore disabilities in a more candid, conversational, and fun way.
The blog will continue focusing on my experience with disabilities, investigative stories, providing resources, and policy breakdowns — but the podcast will be where I talk more freely about living with disabilities.
Why a Podcast?
One thing that truly helps me navigate living with disabilities is comedy. Living with pain, fatigue, and depression can put you in a dark place, but having a good laugh about serious things can provide a nice sense of levity, even if only for a brief moment.
I’m no comedian, but using a podcast as a companion to my blog, I can speak to my disabilities in a way that allows me to joke around and reflect on my experiences in a way that may not translate as well via writing.
With your help, I can blend solo episodes with interviews from other disabled people, creatives, family, friends, and doctors for more insight, all while trying to find humor in hard places, and challenging times.
Why Is Independent Journalism So Important?
We are living in a time of grave systemic failures, corruption, and lack of meaningful action by both political parties and the mainstream media. I choose to channel my frustration with empty rhetoric, corporate influence, and the prioritization of power over people into meaningful articles.
I choose to advocate for a system that works for the people, not just for the wealthy and powerful. Together, we can challenge outdated systems, amplify disabled voices, and advocate for a more inclusive world.
Help Fund Disability Journalism & Storytelling
I’ve faced a lot of challenges having disabilities. From mobility issues, to pain and injuries, difficulties with work, the healthcare system, mental health, etc. From those, I’ve learned a lot and I want to share my knowledge, along with other people’s experiences, to help our community. With your help, I will be able to;
Record & edit episodes from home
Bring on meaningful guests
Make this vision real
I want to make disability conversations part of the mainstream, but I need your help to do it.
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I am doing everything in my power to help disabled people, their family, friends, and allies, utilizing all of my skills and years of experience. This is work that takes time, effort, and resources. Without funding, I simply can't afford to do it. I believe there is much value in this work, and I hope you do too.
If you believe in free, independent disability journalism, please consider donating. Every contribution helps me continue this work. Let’s make sure disabled voices are heard, and people never feel alone with their conditions. Please subscribe to my newsletter for updates, and thank you for your support!
Want more posts like this? Visit the full Disability & Art Blog
A thank you to my supporters
Thank you to everyone who has donated to my GoFundMe campaign thus far! Your support truly means the world to me. I deeply appreciate that you see the value in this work and that you believe disabled voices, independent journalism, and accessible storytelling are worth funding. Special thanks to: Wendy Naratil, Taylor Macioci, Judy Petrillo, Stacey DeMartino, Jordyn DeMartino, Maddy Ullman, Joy Panigada, Judith Wilcox, and Lauren Raucci for making this possible!
