Erica and Alyssa get super vulnerable and share their own experiences of growing up as disabled children. We talk about our disabilities, the many feelings that come with growing up in a noticably different body, our complicated feelings on being seemingly "less disabled" as adults, and the way our experiences with disability have informed our whole lives.

This conversation is not one where we claim authority over anyone or superiority over any other kind of caregiver. Instead, we're sharing our experiences to give all of us a more well-rounded view of disability and caregiving. We're so glad you're here!

In this episode:
[00:29 ] What's fueling us today (and Alyssa's unconventional plasticware)
[03:45 ] All the caveats for this episode, from allergies to our place in the disability world
[09:13 ] Erica's story of growing up as a child with disabilities and medical complexities
[14:23 ] Alyssa's story of becoming disabled as an adolescent
[22:02 ] The uncomfortable questions that both disabled children and caregivers face
[28:27 ] The complicated feelings and internalized ableism both Alyssa and Erica navigate as adults who appear "less disabled" than they were as children
[33:23 ]  The way becoming a caregiver to disabled children shifted both Erica and Alyssa's perspective on their own disability
[40:31 ] The way experiencing disability shapes your entire worldwide

Links:
Follow us on Instagram for research, validation, and a lot of memes @caffeinated_caregivers.
Get the transcript for this episode, read the blog, and sign up for our newsletter at https://www.caffeinatedcaregivers.com/podcast/ep2.

Subscribe to our show in your favorite podcast app so you don't miss a single episode!
Thanks friends! Talk soon!