Everybody needs support even those of us who are offering it to others!
This community has made learning new skills so much easier and kept me motivated even on the hardest days. And with help from Raven, I’m now able to use an avatar in the same wheelchair I actually use in my day to day life – which means everything to me. Disability representation is hugely important for awareness, and I’m grateful to finally see myself reflected in the content I create.
So why an avatar instead of photos? A few reasons:
1️⃣ Safety first – As a DV survivor with two toxic ex’s (lesson learned!) and no contact with my entire family, I have to be careful about location information getting out there.
2️⃣ Practical reality – I don’t have the time, energy, or finances for studio photo shoots.
3️⃣ Pure joy – It’s fun! I can put my avatar in situations I can’t physically achieve anymore, like rock climbing, which I used to love before I developed a debilitating fear of heights.
This video, created by the community founder and member here set to “Not Ready For Us,” represents what this journey has felt like – finding my place, finding my people, and stepping into something bigger than myself. If you’re looking for a supportive community that gets it, come join us: