Excerpts from “Waiting to Live” by Chammi Rajapatirana, Sharing Our Wisdom

• “We people with disabilities dream of leading everyday lives, lives in which we choose where we live and with whom, lives in which we choose how we work and how we play. But such lives are still dreams deferred for most of us. It is especially hard on us disabled folks. We spend an awful amount of time waiting. Waiting for our abilities to be recognized, waiting for the supports we need. Waiting to live like everyday people.”

• “Waiting for a voice is the hardest waiting of all.”

• “Waiting to live is no way to live.”