Lorraine Cannistra
  • Home
  • About
  • Blog
  • Speaking
  • Performing
  • Contact
Select Page

I Won’t Stand For It!

Feb 9, 2016 | Ableism, communicating respect, CP, disability etiquette, Facing a fear, how to help, inclusion, negative perceptions | 6 comments

To The Staff in the Office Where I Had An Appointment Last Week: I won’t stand for it. I saw the look in each of your eyes as soon as I entered the office. The look of fear mixed with pity mixed with “I don’t know what to do.” I said hello and...

5 Things I Wish People Knew About Me

Jan 28, 2016 | communicating respect, Get To Know Me, how to help, inclusion, negative perceptions, overcoming challenges, What some people don't think about | 0 comments

1.  I embrace my disability.  While it is true that if I had been given a choice at birth, this is not the life I would have chosen, for the most part, I feel blessed by my circumstances.  It is only because I am a wheelchair user that I have been to do some of the...

Look Beyond!

Dec 21, 2015 | Ableism, Attitudes, changing perspectives, communicating respect, compassion, Diversity, Get To Know Me, inclusion, Independence, kids with disabilities, Look Beyond, negative perceptions | 2 comments

A few decades ago, when I had fewer miles on my wheelchair and significantly less self-esteem, I spent a fair amount of time trying to figure out my place in the world.  As I started college, I was hundreds of miles away from home and searching to solidify what I...

Check Your Ableism…

Dec 4, 2015 | Ableism, communicating respect, compassion, disability etiquette, Get To Know Me, Grey's Anatomy, negative perceptions | 1 comment

It’s one of my guilty pleasures.  Along with quality chocolate and a glass of Mascato most evenings, I love watching Grey’s Anatomy on Thursday nights.  I don’t know if I can explain the appeal for me exactly, but there was something in the early days about wondering...

All the C’s in Medicine

Jun 3, 2015 | Ableism, communicating respect, compassion, doctors, emergency room, hospitals, how to help, medical emergencies | 4 comments

Nobody likes to experience emotions that can be negative.  Anger, frustration, overwhelm.  I can’t think of anyone who feels those things while having a good time. But there is one emotion that I don’t like to experience more than any of the others combined. I don’t...

Dorothy, Are You Sure?

Apr 14, 2015 | communicating respect, Government benefits, Government Programs, Medicaid, Medicare | 2 comments

Dorothy wanted to go back to Kansas.  In her quest to do so she found some friends that needed a heart, a brain, and some courage. Let’s get something straight.  I like to work, and I like to work hard.  If I had my way, I would find a full-time job with the...
« Older Entries
Next Entries »

Follow Blog via Email

Enter your email address and receive notifications of my new posts by email.

Join 109 other subscribers

Archives

Categories

FREE: 10 Tips for Fabulous Interactions with People with Disabilities

Plus, receive my newsletter!
    © 2026 Lorraine Cannistra. All Rights Reserved.

    This blog will never share any information with any third party.
    All the views on this blog are my own and do not represent any entity I have ever have been or ever will be affiliated with.


    This Site Proudly Designed & Maintained by Integrant Services, LLC