Welcome to My World! Where disability meets ability!
I am Allison Murphy and I am 24 years old. This is my first blog post so please bear with me. This opportunity was given to me because I stopped to talk to two wonderful people, David and April from Friendly Connections Inc. at the Disabilities Expo in Edison, NJ. I thought it would be a great time to chat with someone new. Little did I know that would result in a journey towards changing the world and sharing my story about growing up with multiple disabilities. I want to share my experiences and how I see the world from my wheelchair.
My Birthday
On May 8th, 1997, at 4:45 am, I arrived into the world 11 weeks early. A miracle in the making. I was so excited to meet my parents I couldn't wait. I weighed only 3 pounds 11 ounces and was 16 inches long. I spent the first 28 days of my life in the hospital. On the 27 day, my parents were told I had cerebral palsy. Doctors said I would never walk, talk or be more than a baby. In case you haven't noticed, they were wrong. Before I was 6 months old I started having complex partial seizures, I am epileptic. I am also cortically blind. The damage to my brain is located where the optic nerve passes through. The eyes can see but they can’t tell the brain what they see. Sometimes I can see everything and sometimes I can't see anything at all. It changes, day to day, hour to an hour, and sometimes minute to minute. It impacts everything in my life.
SCHOOL DAYS
I am an alumnus of Sapphire Elementary, Pine Tree, (home sweet home), and a proud Monroe Woodbury Crusader. While at Pinetree I got involved with many things, I was president and founder of the Fudge Club, I entered the Talent show every year telling jokes, and received the Spirit of Success Award in fifth grade. Then there was middle school, a time in my life that I would rather forget. Let's just say not everyone believed in me. I did though meet my sisters from a different mister, my best friends and partners in crime, Nicole and Paige Coombs. Together we won the Girls of Merit Award 2012.
In High School, I found someone who believed in me and what I could do. Someone who would take a chance on me and gave me the benefit of the doubt. Mrs. Ryan was able to teach me the academics I needed and also helped me learn about my disability. She helped me pass all five regent exams on the first try and be ranked 122 out of 531 in the class of 2015.
It has been challenging to get to this point but I have persevered. I finally graduated in 2016, WOOHOO! I wasn't always sure I was going to get to this point, in my sophomore year I had to make the hardest decision of my life, graduate on time (2015) or with a regents diploma. I had to choose between my friends and my future. I am proud to say I chose my future, it was the smartest decision I have ever made. I was able to secure 14 scholarships to pay for my SUNY education and won two awards. The NYS Attorney General Triple C award for Character, Courage, and Commitment and the Crusader Spirit Award.
I received an AA in Sociology with a GPA of 3.9. I graduated with my BA in Disability Studies at CUNY SPS with a GPA of 4.0 I hope to inspire others to find their voice like I found mine. To see the world through my eyes and find the change within to live life to the fullest.
My greatest accomplishment to date
CUNY SPS Graduation June 1, 2022
Just For Fun
Early on in my life it was determined that I would not walk and would need a wheelchair to get around. That has not stopped me from experiencing life, it even has a few perks. I got to cut the lines at Disney World and go backstage at Kfest to meet Andy Grammer. I went to Lourdes, France, and have attempted to roller-skate (with the help of my mom).
I have been on fabulous vacations, and many road trip adventures with my friends (the best one to the Mall of America for my Sweet 16). I am a shopaholic! I have even flown through the trees on a zip line. I asked an older guy to the Prom and he said YES!
Free Time
In my free time (which isn’t much) I like to help others, I make soda tab bracelets with the help of my friends and donate the money. To date, we have donated over $13,000. I am a committee member of Inspire Connections, which connects the disabled with the local community and resources. I am a regular at my local Starbucks which is attached to Target. So needless to say I have hundreds of those bullseye shopping bags.
I have a youtube video about acceptance.
You can view it at A. Little. Love. Inspires. Everyone. In case you didn't notice that it spells Allie (ME!). I am a registered voter and I vote. I look forward to what the future holds for me, I am not sure where I'm going but I can't wait to get there. Look out world my time as a caterpillar is over. I may not be able to walk but I can fly!
Thank you for reading until the end!
This is the view from my wheelchair, where miracles can make a difference. Always Strive for the Impossible. Come back again to see what is on my mind and hear more about my experiences and The View From My Wheelchair.