A recent photo of the author in the beautiful home she shares with her husband.

I am writing this post to all my readers to let them know that if you want to live on your own, in your very own apartment or home, you can. Even if you are quadriplegic or paraplegic, you can do it too. Of course, you’ll need to figure out the level of care you will need, but that is possible as well. You will have to be responsible for figuring out and determining your finances and the support you will need for yourself. If there is a will, there certainly is a way.

In my life, I really wanted to live on my own and be independent from my mother. Spiritually, she and I were interdependent, but in my daily life, I wanted to live on my own to see if I really could do it and succeed and be independent from my loving mother. I had to prove this to myself. I wanted to reach for the stars. Although, I had to take many more steps to get to that place in my life. Nonetheless, I knew in the innermost parts of my being it was possible. These charged mindsets made the palms of my hands damp. I knew, from the foundation I got as a child, that if I worked hard, did the legwork, and made a sincere effort to make it happen, anything was possible. I shivered with these new concepts: fear and promise mingled. Something within the deepest part of my soul was becoming clear. So I increased my space to think things through. I had to be alone. Totally alone. Still. Quiet. With no interruptions.

My point is that success starts and comes from a dream and belief within yourself. It takes courage in yourself to be brave enough to conquer anything of importance. It’s healthy. I held myself close. I said, “I can do this, Karen.” In that moment, the corners of my lips brought on the biggest, most courageous smile I had ever had.

If I were determined to make this conscious decision for myself, I would be able to manifest any other healthy thought I had in my consciousness. I would become the strong person I wanted to be. Then, and only then, would I be able to face my fears. Grow emotionally. And become strong. Attaining that desire would become feasible and attainable. Not to mention, it would lead to other life-altering achievements.

I think the way I do today about this subject because everything I accomplished in my life’s journey results from this type of pioneering thinking. This type of judgment made the following happen:

I learned to dance with a brace on at the young age of three.

Then, I listened and learned, teaching myself to read.

Followed by becoming valedictorian and giving a speech during my high school graduation.

Still reaching for possibilities, I worked. Held down jobs. Faced adversity and ableism head-on. And grew up mentally and emotionally. As well as facing being labeled mentally retarded on three separate occasions, then being commanded to work in a sheltered workshop, Handcraft Industries, when I was only eighteen, fresh out of high school. I learned what justice was and what taking action meant. It surely didn’t mean sitting on my laurels. That’s for sure, or folding boxes with one hand, all day long, like they had me do for six months.

Next, I became a switchboard operator, a recreation director, and, in 1975, a dance and fitness instructor specializing in teaching chair aerobics to people with disabilities. This was my ‌original idea. In 1979, I won the first civil rights case for my own education. I went to college and attained my Associate of Arts degree in 1985. I fought for my own civil rights and won. I advocated for myself and others, and now I am a storyteller.

Out of impossible odds, I did the impossible.

I know it can be done. I am living proof. When anyone told me I couldn’t reach my goals, I proved to myself that I could and followed through to make it happen.

What is the first step you are going to take? Will you follow through and make it happen?

Text and image ©2026 by Karen Lynn-Chlup. All rights reserved.

#disabilities #independence #