Twenty Years After Katrina: My Family’s Story

This week marks twenty years since Hurricane Katrina changed New Orleans and the Gulf South forever. If you live here, you know the news has been filled with remembrance pieces, footage, and commentary. For many of us who lived it, reliving those days isn’t easy. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to write this. But […]

That One Time I Met Sugarland

Today I want to share one of my fondest memories: the first time I met Sugarland. If you know me, you know I’m a huge Sugarland fan. Let’s rewind to when I was about 23. I recently became friends with a fellow superfan named Christy—we actually met while stalking Sugarland at Jazz Fest. Yep, that’s how it started: two […]

Handicap Discrimination Over Inclusion: A Night at IP Casino

Last night was supposed to be a fun, music-filled evening with a good friend—one of those nights you look forward to for weeks. Instead, I left the IP Casino in Biloxi feeling frustrated, hurt, and frankly, a little stunned by how things played out. Discrimination will do that to you. My friend and I had […]

Can You Train Your Own Service Dog?

“Can You Train Your Own Service Dog?” Today I have the pleasure of sitting down with Ann Becnel of Ann Becnel Companion Dogs, LLC to talk about all things service dog related. Ann has over twenty years of service dog training experience, and she helped me train my own first service dog, Lexie, many years […]

How Art Became My Escape

Art has always been a refuge for me—a world where the limitations of my body are replaced by the limitless possibilities of creativity. Living with Osteogenesis Imperfecta (also known as Brittle Bone Disease), I often found myself unable to participate in activities many kids my age enjoyed. Sports like soccer or football were simply off the table, and […]

Growing Up Loving Country Music as a Disabled Artist

As you can see from my shirt, I love country music! It’s a passion I’ve carried with me since childhood. My journey into the world of country music wasn’t inspired by my parents but rather by two aides who cared for me when I was very young. When I was around three to five years […]

Osteogenesis Imperfecta Awareness Week

This week marks Osteogenesis Imperfecta Awareness Week—a great opportunity to share a glimpse into life with this rare condition and how it intertwines with my passion for watercolor art and wildlife painting. Living with Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI), often called Brittle Bone Disease, has shaped my perspective and inspired my creativity in unique ways. Let’s dive into what OI is, how it impacts […]

How OI Shapes My Watercolor Painting Process

Art and watercolor painting has always been a profound part of my life, offering both creative expression and personal growth. Living with Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI), also known as brittle bones, has presented unique challenges—but it’s also given me a distinctive perspective that defines my art. Let me take you behind the scenes of my creative journey and share […]

Achieving Goals & Motivation with a Disability

Have you ever set a New Year’s resolution on January 1st, only to let it slip away before the end of January? Are you already lacking motivation by January 3rd? If so, you’re not alone. Many of us start the year with big ambitions, only to feel overwhelmed or lose focus when life gets in […]

The Power of Live Music

As a disabled artist living with Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI), also known as Brittle Bone Disease, I’ve discovered that art and music have the unique ability to uplift, inspire, and bring people together. While my personal passion lies in creating art, I also have a deep love for live music. For me, live music isn’t just about the songs—it’s about the […]