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How I Found My Voice Through Advocating

Cerebral Palsy (CP)

Jessica Niziolek

How starting my blog, The Abler has helped me become a new person

My name is Jessica Niziolek. I am 35 years old. I have Hemiplegia Spastic Cerebral Palsy. From a very young age, I have always loved to write. Creating stories using Lisa Frank stickers, etc. In February 2002 I took to poetry and fell in love with it. I realized then that my writing was just a therapeutic way for me to deal with life, an outlet. It wasn't until July 2016 that I took my desire to help people, and my love for writing and combined the two.

My baby sister, Stephanie, was diagnosed seven years ago with a very serious Neurological disorder called Cluster Headaches.  And because there is little info on them, and is considered an invisible illness, it gets assumed as being just a headache. It is not. And being Stephs' big sister I was extremely angry and frustrated by the lack of acknowledgment and simple compassion by people. And I heard a lot of "what is that? I never heard of that before." So one night while talking to my boyfriend The Abler was born. And on July 31, 2016, I started The Abler. The following November I started the official Facebook group, The Official Facebook Group Of The Abler  Blog.

Now one year later, I have covered 13 topics thus far, about 9 interviews, and the abler group as grown with over 300 members. The Abler also has its own FB page, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter accounts. And come January 2018, The Abler will also have its own video series. It will be for the Abler Facebook group, and it's members, as a way for them to contribute, and become more active in our community.  I have met so many amazing people, and have heard so many amazing and inspiring stories about why they do the work they do. It's amazing how starting a simple blog, with a simple message can open so many doors, and connect you to so many people with one common passion.

To help those in need, and educate, learn from one another. You can check out The Abler Blog, at https://seetheabled.blogspot.com  My sister is why I do the work I do. I know that I am her big sister and that she looks up to me, but honestly, she is my hero. The amount of immense pain she is in 24 hrs a day these past seven years, And she bravely puts a beautiful smile on her face through it all.  Since starting The Abler I have used my voice and my message of sharing knowledge and erasing stigma by becoming a contributor to other platforms as well, including The Mighty.  

My motto for the work that I do is simple:

"The more you know; The more you grow." -Jessica

Where you can connect with The Abler on social Media

The Abler Blog On Blogspot.com
https://seetheabled.blogspot.com 

The official Facebook Group For The Abler Blog- https://www.facebook.com/groups/326291217746986/

The Abler FB "Like" Page- 
https://www.facebook.com/seetheabledtheablerblog/

 The Abler on Instagram-
https://www.instagram.com/theablerblog/?hl=en

The Abler on Twitter-
https://twitter.com/J4theablerblog1
 
The Abler on Pinterest-
https://www.pinterest.com/angelluv2write/the-abler-official-board/?eq=the%20ab&etslf=7894

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