Author's note: I’ve read many blog posts, posts on Facebook and tweets about BlogHer. But no one wrote about attending BlogHer with a disability. As a newbie to this event, I’m sure there will be many attendees with disabilities. This post is for you as much as it is for me. For those of you who are blessed not to have a disability, I know you are compassionate and caring enough to want to read this post as well.
When I first heard people discussing something called BlogHer, I wondered what the heck it was. As I began reading more and more posts about it – the good, the bad and the ugly – I realized the enormity of this prodigious blogging event.
Yet something instinctual, something deep in the pit of my stomach, held me back from registering.
I told friends I wasn’t going because we already had two planned vacations for the summer, and didn’t want to spend extra time away from writing to attend this event.
But I wasn’t being honest, with my friends or myself.
It wasn’t the time away from home that held me back. It was something bigger than that.
Hi, my name is Cathy Chester and I have a disability.
Having Multiple Sclerosis since the age of 26 prevented me from doing certain things with my life. But when life took a turn, I changed course and made different plans.
Who among us lives our life the way we envisioned when we were younger? My MS is someone else’s fibromyalgia or breast cancer or OCD.
Back to BlogHer. My worst enemies are stress, heat and fatigue. My best friends are naps, air-conditioning and calm. If I don’t meet up with my best friends, the little gremlins come out to make my legs and arms weak and numb, rendering me useless and frustrated.
BlogHer takes place at two hotels, the Sheraton and McCormick. Since they are a few miles apart, you’ll need a shuttle or taxi to travel to each hotel. This alone caused me some stress, since I understood the day sessions were taking place at the Sheraton. That would’ve made it easier to slip away to catch a nap upstairs in my room.
Napping now must be a planned event. More running around means more fatigue.
The enormity of BlogHer is overwhelming for everyone. Add a disability into that equation, and your emotions easily turn into panic mode.
There are agendas, speakers, parties and networking to learn and make decisions about. Pre-planning your schedule may tame some of your anxiety and stress.
The question on what to wear always looms large for me. Business casual can either mean black jeans or a cute dress. The idea of wearing heels to walk from session to session makes me cringe.
Unfortunately, I had to kick my high heel habit after looking drunk too many times from falling on my keister. When you can’t feel your feet, you can’t handle heels.
I miss wearing high heels. You look leaner, and they compliment any outfit.
Here are my own reasons for disliking having to live with a disability:
I made peace with having a disability a long time ago. As a writer and health advocate, my professional life is devoted to writing for the disabled community.
But being in Chicago for 3 days with 5,000 other bloggers while trying to learn, network and meet up with friends is something I look forward to, but is creating anxiety for me at the same time.
What’s a girl to do?
Here are a few things I can do for myself (and you can, too) to “de-stress” and prepare for BlogHer:
Use the Serenity Suite to relax and collect yourself whenever you feel the need to unwind. (Room 1237 at Sheraton and Room W471A at McCormick)
Lori Luna, VP of Event Operations, kindly provided me with further information on attending sessions at The McCormick:
“There are multiple elevators and escalators so walking up and down is VERY limited. Nine of the session tracks are all together, and the remaining five are one elevator ride away, and again, lined in a row. Additionally we'll have a Serenity Suite where you can go and rest while at McCormick Place.
It can sound daunting and when you see it you might feel the same, but once you navigate it, you will note we are stacked on top of all of our activations so you aren't walking football fields.”
Attending BlogHer should be a special time for you to completely dedicate to yourself and hone your craft. So take time to breathe, relax and enjoy yourself. You deserve it!
Note: This post was originally featured on the Generation Fabulous website on July 22, 2013.
Hi Cathy....Good for you for working through your own reluctance and finding a way to make it work for you. As a person who has attended dozens of conferences I can tell you that what you suggest is helpful to every single person who goes to one. I used to think I had to do every single thing that was offered (because I wanted to!--and because I'd paid for it!) I've now attended so many that I realize that you honestly can't fit everything in anyway--and the real treasure of a conference is finding a couple of things that really, really makes a difference. ALSO some of the best results of any conference is the people you connect with so you can do that just about anywhere especially if you are relaxed and at ease.
What's probably the funniest thing about your post is how you say you miss wearing high heels! I HATE them with a passion and can't imagine why anyone would subject their feet and body to such unhealthy things!
🙂 While I hope I look reasonably put together where ever I am--my priority is always to be comfortable and relaxed. I hope you find a balance that allows you just that.
I am, and i'm sure we all are, looking forward to future posts when you share what great experiences you are having!
~Kathy
Good advice for anyone, Cath! I know you'll make the best of it! Have a great time!
Cathy, great article! I hope you have an amazing learning journey at BlogHer. I also have an auto immune disease (Crohn's disease) so I know about pre-planning everything.
The great news is Chicago is not having a heat wave right now. Have a wonderful trip!
What a wonderful post. My daughter broke her lower back last year during a military training exercise and, although slowly improving, still experiences a great deal of pain. You beautifully captured many of her frustrations about not being able to do the things she enjoys due to the pain. I appreciate your "game plan" for dealing with BlogHer. I think it is a great method for handling a vacation, a day's excursion, or an event. Thanks for sharing!
You know Cathy, I really never paid any attention to your "disability." I'm embarrassed to say you were simply always there. You always looked great and I even passed the camera to you to work it! At the Expo you sat down with everyone else who was ready to sit down. You're giving people great help so that they can feel comfortable attending. In fact I'm so glad you came because it gave me a chance to hug you and laugh with you.
Hey!
Great post! It definitely brought tears to my eyes bc it was just yesterday when I was looking at all the fun events for bloggers. And thought to myself... "I'm 26 yrs old, and experiencing opportunities like these are over."
I've had CRPS/RSD for 18months,in both feet/legs. I can't walk for more than a couple min bc there is bone marrow edema in 2 bones in one of my feet (My CRPS started after breaking my right foot).
I've also had Fibro for 6yrs.
So thank you so much for sharing your story, I truly relate to every word!
When I do get out of the house, picking cloths to wear, is nearly impossible. And I can only wear one type of shoes ( they're ugly too lol)
So I understand. Thank you for providing some *Hope*.
One of my blogs is http://www.hopeforyourcause.org. I share things that relate to myself living with CRPS.
I hope all is well!
-Heather Lynn