Disability Pride Month highlights the moment when President George H.W. Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) into law in 1990. 26 percent (one in 4) of adults, in the United States have some type of disability, creating a community of over 61 million individuals. Disability Pride Month is an important time to honor the diversity and uniqueness of each person in the disability community and celebrate people who have disabilities.
Disability Pride, much like LGBTQ+ Pride, is all about celebrating and increasing the representation of people with disabilities that have historically been pushed out of public spaces. While many disabled people have had their struggles erased throughout history, it is also important to note how much of their joy has also been overlooked. This month highlights that individuals living with disabilities haven‘t just been surviving in the face of oppression, they have been thriving.
To honor this celebration, I’ve designed a special sensory necklace that relieves stress and anxiety and helps to increase focus. Each bead in this unique piece is handmade with clear quartz crystals. Clear quartz helps to create focus and clarity around a desire. It is a stone that is also often used to maintain a sense of balance. It attracts positivity and helps to protect the wearer from negative energy. While this design does not shed light on the complete spectrum of diverse experiences within this community, it serves as a reminder of the huge amount of work there is to be done in order to provide the adequate supports needed to include individuals with disabilities in spaces that everyone deserves to experience and enjoy. It also highlights the portion of this community that faces challenges with mental health and neurodivergence.
I look forward to amplifying the experiences individuals in this community have shared and invite you to join me in this amazing celebration!
- Shannen Garza Hakim, Owner of Womxn on the Moon