Exciting news today, friends: I’m featured in xoJane‘s popular column It Happened To Me today! I wrote about my journey in coming to terms with my disability. You can read the full essay here. I’d love to hear your thoughts, friends, and thanks to the wonderful ladies from xoJane! xoxoP.S. Friday links are coming up! 🙂
Love Lounge: Feeling Invisible.
Have a relaxing weekend
Fashion Friday: My short hair for summer!
Dancing Branflake says
Read it. Loved it. Almost cried over it. You amaze me. Done.
Root beer float celebration?
Elsa de Diego says
Wohoo!!!!!!!! Amazing, darling!!!!! Congratulations. It would be great if you keep writing for them, no? Much love!!!!!
Julia says
Lovely and touching story! To be honest, when I first saw your blog (which was like 2 years ago or something) and saw your picture, I really thought, that you're cute. I sent your blog to my friends and told them how cute and beautiful you are in your own way. Don't give up, somewhere out there is a person, who will love you just the way you are! Please keep on looking, keep on fighting!
(And forgive me, if there're any mistakes in this comment, English isn't my first language)
Anonymous says
you are wonderful 🙂
Mandy says
Such a great piece! Congrats on being on xoJane!
Sini says
Melissa, you are just amazing. Never forget that! It's not the good looks that will bring happiness, you need to be able to love yourself as you were born, to be able to love someone else. how we look, size we are and all little "faults" we might think we have, just need to accept it all and people will notice the difference because you feel good about yourself. You are beautiful. And there is this special someone, if not many, for everyone 🙂
Lena at A Crimson Kiss says
Such an amazing, moving piece. And a fantastic way to kick off the weekend–congratulations!
Blondie's Journal says
You are amazing! And a wonderful writer. I see you as a beautiful person and I don't think people have to spend more than 5 minutes with you to know that.
XO,
Jane
Anonymous says
I read your article on xojane and found the link to your blog. Thank you so much for your honesty and insight. Your story really hit home for me and it makes me feel less alone to hear your bravery and kindness. Keep writing for xojane – your story was my favorite ever on there and I read it every day!!
Anonymous says
Great writing wonderful message xx
Giulia says
That was gorgeous, Melissa. As with so many commenters over on xoJane, I wanted it to be longer. I do hope you'll continue to do this sort of work. You are magnificent! xoxo/Susan
Wendy says
Congrats, Melissa!!! I'm off to read the article.
(So many COOL features – very happy for you!!! 🙂 )
Torie says
I loved your article and think you're so talented and lovely. You've inspired so many people, me included, and I just wanted to thank you for writing your piece.
As to the anonymous commenter who wrote such cruel words in response to this post, fuck off. I don't mean to add further negativity to your page, Melissa, but seeing people be unnecessarily mean to another person enrages me. This person clearly has issues of their own that they're projecting it on you and their insecurities are manifesting themselves by trying to drag you down. Don't let LOSERS like this one bring you down and focus on all the support you've been garnering yourself with your work, and how many people think of you as beautiful. 🙂
Ileana says
Torie,
I have been following Melissa's blog for a while and she has received several comments like Anon's. It's so sad. In a way, I agree (grundgingly) that he or she is rights. I think Melissa would have better luck with men who are disabled. I'm afraid that her wheelchair has and will continue to get in her way in this area of her life. Melissa, please please please don't think this to mean that you are any less of a person or a great writer. It's just that given the choice-men will prefer an able bodied woman (all other things being equal). We are all like this in a way. I know I would choose an able bodied guy over one in a wheelchair if everything else were equal. I don't think this makes me a bad person or anything. But that's the way I feel.
Melissa Blake says
Ileana — you raise an interesting point. But I can't help but think that's sort of selling people with disabilities short — as if they're not capable of having a romantic relationship, you know?
I've bookmarked this subject and will write about it soon! Thanks so much! 🙂
Smidge says
Having just popped over here to say hello – I am now in awe of you. I am also in tears at my desk. Not because of your disability, but because you write about learning to love yourself so well. Thanks for writing that, and you've got yourself a new reader 🙂
Twinkle Terrior says
Melissa – you are GORGEUOUS and like Julia said ..your cuteness, beauty (in and out) and talent are tremendous. We started following your blog >>> my niece has CP(c-palsy) You will fall in love with who you are meant to! My niece married someone who happens to not be in a wheel-chair. But she would marry WHOEVER she fell in love with – not any particular stipulation. GOD BLESS YOU always – xoxo Hugs from our family to yours – CZ Christina Zima