Publications

Writing can be found in Star Tribune, The Mighty, URevolution, Accessibility.com, Disability Horizons.

Editorial: Universities Mirror Society and the Lack of Trust in Institutions:

That trust must be regained through dialogue, learning more about the opposing argument and seeing the cards as they lay.

I recently attended an alumni event to discuss the state of higher education in the United States. Warm spring air graced the bright tulips as I walked into the clubhouse at the pristine country club. The grounds were immaculate. Silence filled the golf course surrounding the buildings, as no golfers were present. It was curiously calm, a bright Sunday afternoon. Membership costs here are exorbitant. >> Keep reading

Come As You Are: Film Review

I’ve never understood the gravity of representation until now. Seeing elements of my own existence was monumental for me. The first time I saw the film, I sobbed. And needed a lot of tissues to wipe my tears.

In Come As You Are, each character is deeply unique and multi-dimensional. In a feature-length film, how often do you see a group of adult friends, each with different disabilities? Have you ever seen the main character of a film be quadriplegic where the plotline isn’t only about his disability but about his desire to lose his virginity? I haven’t. >> Keep reading

Living with Ulcerative Colitis: Kristen’s Farewell Letter to her Colon

Dear Colon:

At this point, our relationship has become toxic and I cannot keep doing this. The constant merry-go-round of flares and remission has brought me to my knees. I’m conceding.

In the beginning, we had a symbiotic understanding and I respected you a great deal. In fact, you shielded me from the outside world. When I was a child, you held my fear and my repressed anger deep inside my little body. You helped me to stay silent when I needed to be unheard and unseen. >> Keep reading

Editorial: Can constituents feel heard when not speaking with their wallets?

Why do our elected officials contact constituents only when they want money for their campaigns?

This feels like a one-sided relationship, and I'm tired of it. As a constituent, I previously had more hope that the officials we voted into office truly represented us as their constituents and that our relationship was more even. >> Keep reading

Girls With Guts: Mental Health Awareness Blog Post

I want people to know that my mental health is dictated by my physical health. Beyond the standardized phrase, “If you are feeling well, you’re going to be happier”, I know there is a direct cause and effect relationship between the severity of my physical symptoms and the mental health struggles that I face. Most times, it feels like my mental health goes hand in hand with how happy my colon is in that moment. When I wake up and my flare is worse, it will be because of the physical symptoms I am having ALONGSIDE the mental health symptoms. >> Keep reading