Editorial: Davidson Local Centers Disability Stories This July
By Davidson Local Staff
July marks Disability Pride Month—and this year, Davidson Local is moving disability stories from the sideline to the front page.
Across Davidson County, people living with disabilities are not just surviving—they’re creating, parenting, organizing, building businesses, showing up for others, and pushing for change in a world that still often overlooks them. Their stories are complex, courageous, funny, frustrating—and they deserve more than a single awareness day.
This month, Davidson Local will feature a series of stories that center lived experiences from our disabled neighbors—stories of care, advocacy, creativity, illness, and community.
These stories won’t just focus on overcoming obstacles. They’ll take a hard look at local realities:
– Buildings and events that still aren’t accessible
– Gaps in health care, transportation, and housing
– The quiet toll of isolation or misdiagnosis
– The bureaucratic hoops too many have to jump through to get basic support
But the series will also shine light on joy, resistance, humor, faith, and what one resident calls “the stubborn art of staying alive.”
Disability pride is more than protests and parades. In Davidson County, it also shows up in policy work, civic engagement, and everyday leadership. People living with disabilities here are:
– Running for local office and joining school boards
– Testifying at city council meetings
– Shaping local accessibility plans
– Voting with intention and organizing voter drives
– Demanding equity in public spaces and public budgets
– And running statewide organizations that focus on access, education, and breaking down the stigmas that still surround disability
One friend reminded us this month that the disability community isn’t a niche—it’s a cross-section. It spans generations, ethnic backgrounds, income levels, and political affiliations. Disability doesn’t check party boxes or follow demographic lines. It shows up in every family, every neighborhood, every voting district. And it’s long past time we told the whole story.
To help continue these conversations, we’ve also launched a new Facebook group:
Disability Community – Davidson County.
This group is a space to connect, share stories, post resources, lift up local events, and speak truth about the needs and realities of disability life right here at home. Whether you’re disabled, a caregiver, an advocate, or just want to learn—you’re invited.
“People say ‘broken crayons still color,’” says Davidson Local publisher Antionette Kerr. “But the crayons handed to us are unhinged at the hand of the creator—without label. We color outside the lines because we weren’t made to follow them.”
Disability Pride isn’t about being someone’s inspiration. It’s about being seen. And heard. And valued. This July, we’re not asking for permission to be included. We’re taking our place at the table—and rewriting the story.
Want to be featured?
Email info@davidsonlocal.com or call/text [insert number] to share your story, nominate someone, or tell us what the community needs to know.
And join the conversation in our Facebook group: Disability Community – Davidson County.
Because this isn’t a side story.
This is the story.
