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Alice Stanco • Author • ♿️

@alicestanco

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Dynamically disabled • ♿️ Mixed ability relationship 👩‍❤️‍💋‍👨
Minnesotan, indie author • 🔞📖
No AI 🚫 • LGBTQIA+ friendly
PA @bookishqueenreads

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In a time where our rights are slowly being stripped away and brushed under the rug, I won’t stop speaking up about ableism.

[Image descriptions/captions pinned in comments.]

The International Day of Persons with Disabilities (Dec 3rd) is an opportunity to support the rights and well-being of people with disabilities. I was hoping to post this yesterday, but my energy levels have been very low. Please enjoy my belated contribution to the #internationaldayofpersonswithdisabilities These slides only show a few of the experiences I wanted to speak on, but some is always better than none!

Our lives, rights, and struggles shouldn’t be a hot topic one day and cast aside the next. There is no shortage of ways to be an ally to the disability community! I encourage you to try, even if it’s bit by bit.

Update:
It’s been a rough few months with the rampant spread of viral infections and increased risk of exposure to food allergens this time of year. I’ve gone from one medical emergency to another, and have had very little energy to do anything but rest. I’m tired of fighting to recover, only to encounter ableism, inaccessibility, and safety hazards the second we leave our apartment. 🥲

Our housing situation has been a major stressor, too, as the elevator issues and safety concerns have persisted. It’s absurdly difficult to find accessible housing options…even with new construction, easy, independent access for wheelchair users seems to be akin to asking for the moon.

I am slowly getting back to writing my sequel after taking some time to recover, and it’s going well! Sticking to shorter bouts so that I can protect my baseline, but a lot of new ideas have been coming to me, so bullet-point plotting has been my best friend lately.

Hope the beginning of December has been kind to you! ❄️🫶🏻 And, if you live with a disability, I hope that yesterday made you feel a little more seen, or a little less alone. 💞

🖤 Alice

#idopwd2025 #disabledauthor (Selfie) Alice leans against her right hand, which has a black wrist brace on. She wears a white, knitted beanie, sunglasses, and pink lipstick. taken in Minnesota by @alicestanco

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10 months ago

Pls consider this your sign to dust off that mobility aid sitting in the corner, or to start the process of finding which aid is right for you. 😌♿️

Video description:

Various clips of Alice using her cane at social outings and to move around. In time with the music, the focus shifts to Alice using her manual wheelchair, and how many freedoms that can give.

Video captions:

When I was in my ‘it hurts so bad but I can’t stand to miss out’ stage of disability, I wish someone would have told me…

There’s a much better way.

You shouldn’t have to deep breathe through pain with every step you take.

You deserve to do fun things without feeling like you are literally dying afterwards.

Allow yourself the help you deserve, and you’ll be surprised by how much further you can go.

#mobilityaidsarefreedom #ambulatorywheelchairuser #wheelchaircommunity by @alicestanco

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5 months ago

If you’ve been around for a while, you may recognize the first two clips of this reel from last year. The fact that it’s almost been a year since I announced my first draft completion is mind boggling. I can still remember the excitement coursing through me when I filmed the first clip in 2021—the idea of writing an entire book both daunting and exhilarating.

And now…here we are. Finalized, printed, and available for pre-order. 🥹🤯

•

#fantasyauthorsofinstagram #writingcommunity #writersofinsta #indieauthor #dreamchasing #writethatbook #darkromanceauthor by @alicestanco

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3 years ago

I’m also having oral surgery soon and will be missing some molars, so I won’t be able to eat anything like this for 6+ months. Very thankful we could squeeze it in! 🍏🥰🫶🏻

Video description:
Video clips of Alice and Eric making sliced caramel apples (on sticks).

Alice sits at the roll-under stove in her wheelchair and Eric stands at the counter. Alice washes and dries the apples; Eric cuts them and adds the white sticks. Alice stirs and melts the caramel.

They both dip the apple pops into the caramel, and place them on parchment paper to set.

Video captions:
A partner who does whatever it takes to help you, no matter how trivial it may seem >>>

These caramel apple pops have been all over my feed this fall, and I really wanted to try them!

I have had a lot of joint pain and fatigue, though, so chopping the apples was not a safe task for me. My husband happily stepped in, and we made an evening out of it. 😌

I did what I could, he took over when needed, and we made some fun memories together.

Sometimes, supporting your disabled loved ones looks a lot simpler than you might think.

The caramel apple pops were delicious 😚

[end video description and captions]

#supportingdisabilities #interabledcouple #mixedabilityrelationship by @alicestanco

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2 days ago

It’s been a long time coming. 😭💍

We are officially married!! 🥰💞 pls meet my HUSBAND, @ericreimervideo 👩‍❤️‍💋‍👨

Photos by the wonderful @devynlempkephoto

Video description:

A photo of Eric down on one knee in front of Alice (sitting in her manual wheelchair) with white text:
“Omg we’re finally engaged 🥹 I wonder when we’ll get married…”

A black screen with white text:
“One month later…”

22 photos of Alice and Eric on their elopement day: key moments like the ceremony, celebrations, the first dance, and the cake cutting. The photos convey a lot of love, excitement, and joy between the couple.

Alice’s dress is white with pastel floral embroidery down the bodice, flowing into the tulle skirt. Eric wears a dark pine green suit with an orange and white floral tie and pocket square. They are in a greenhouse conservatory with lush, tropical plants and brick flooring.

#elopements #weddingannouncement #eloped by @alicestanco

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6 days ago

Hope autumn is treating you well 🍂🖤

Image description: 7 text and image graphics that give medical updates from Alice Stanco. Most images are of Alice posing as she sits in her wheelchair, wearing a fuzzy cardigan. One image shows a bag of fluids hanging from an IV pole, in front of a dark green wall with a “trust the universe” poster.

(Text from graphics in comments.)

[end image description]

#dynamicdisability #medicallycomplex #chronicillnesslife Alice smiles as she sits in her wheelchair, wearing a fuzzy cardigan with a tank top and leggings. White text says, “let’s talk medical updates” by @alicestanco

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11 days ago

A lot of adults seem to have a different level of gall when interacting with someone who’s disabled.

[video description and captions in comments]

A non-disabled stranger they’ve never met? Guards are up, pleasantries exchanged, and first impressions are usually kept in mind.

A disabled person, though? One look at their mobility aids, or medical devices, and suddenly they need to be taught that human beings deserve dignity, privacy, and respect.

IMO, there’s nothing wrong with curiosity!

It’s when people think they have the authority to let their curiosity run rampant and ask any question that pops into their head (no matter how invasive) that things become problematic.

No, you don’t NEED to know why or how someone is disabled. And, more often than not, if they are comfortable talking about it, they will tell you in their own time.

But, of course, everyone is different! This is the way I feel (as a dynamically disabled woman in my twenties).

#disabilityawareness #dynamicdisability by @alicestanco

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25 days ago

Things my angel of a fiance did to make sure I was comfortable during our proposal/engagement 💍 (disability edition)

[Video description and closed captions in comments]

Planned for LOTS of rest before the big moment. My energy is spent quickly & needs to be conserved

There was no big rush to get ready, and no long drive to get there. This one helped SO much!! To be loved is to be known 🥰

Packed everything I would need if symptoms worsened. Neck fan, cooling tubes, meds, etc were all in his backpack

Picked a pretty private place without a bunch of strangers. No worrying about overstimulation (or unwanted attention) 😌

Checked in on how I was feeling periodically. And told me we could head home whenever I needed to

Gave me the best & most gentle spin. Making one of my proposal dreams come true without also making me yak in consequence 😭💀

Didn’t give my symptoms the chance to delay it any further. My time away from home is limited right now, so he proposed soon after we arrived

His plans were so accommodating, I even had energy leftito celebrate at home. I’m so thankful to have such a supportive life partner and caregiver 💕

I can’t wait to marry you 😭

#mixedabilityrelationship #interabledcouple #proposalstory by @alicestanco

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a month ago

This is all I can think about when I hear this bridge 😭 [video description and captions in comments] @ashemusic you are so good ILY

I wasted so much of my time after my spine surgery trying to get back to my old life. So much energy spent on things that didn’t fit into my life anymore, and unnecessary pain/worsened symptoms from overextending myself. I was constantly pushing my limits, all because I believed that’s what I was supposed to do.

YOU DON’T HAVE TO WASTE YOUR LIFE AND WEAR YOUR HEART OUT. ACCOMMODATE YOURSELF. 🩵♿️

#disabilityacceptance #disabledandproud by @alicestanco

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a month ago

Forever has just begun 🥹

Photos by the wonderful @devynlempkephoto 📸🥰

Video description:

In front of a fireplace, Eric twirls Alice in her manual wheelchair. On a path at a park, Alice smiles in surprise as Eric goes onto one knee and holds out a ring. He slides it onto her finger and they kiss before he lifts her up into a hug.

A photographer begins taking photos of them, and the video transitions into a series of engagement photos.

Video captions:

Him: “I have a video idea…let’s start it here, and finish it at the park.”

A: [giggles] “YES”
E: [laughs] “YAY”

My forever. 🥹 engaged 08/02/2026

[end video description and captions] by @alicestanco

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2 months ago

Happy anniversary, my sweetest love 🥹 @ericreimervideo I am thankful for you everyday. 💕

Video captions:
Many things have changed since we fell in love...but our love is not one of them.

It has only grown over the years…

We never stopped taking care of each other, or trying to have fun.

Our love will never change, no matter how much our bodies or abilities do.

That’s my why. 🩵

Video description:
Old photos and videos of Alice and Eric: drinking and dancing at a wedding. Walking together at a holiday light display. Running to each other before he dips and kisses her.

Recent videos of them together: Alice rolls toward him in her wheelchair, and he greets her with a kiss. They stand together smiling warmly (with Alice’s rollator in front). Cuddled closely in front of a mirror (Alice sits in her chair). They slow dance—once standing and once with her wheelchair. Alice sits on her rollator, they toast to the New Year, and hug.

The last clip shows Eric smiling and laughing.

[end video captions and description]

#disabledlove #interabledcouple #happyaniversary❤️ by @alicestanco

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3 months ago

I’ve gotten a few judgmental [video description below] reactions after sharing that I wrote a big portion of my debut novel on my phone.

But, if I hadn’t, I might not have ever finished it!

And why should it matter, anyway? Word count is word count. There is nothing wrong with showing up in ways that feel more manageable, especially for people with chronic illnesses and symptoms.

And, with that, I wish you a very HAPPY DISABILITY PRIDE MONTH! 🥰🫶

Video description:
Video clips show Alice writing in different ways:
-at her desk, writing on a keyboard
-at a kitchen table, typing on her phone
-on a couch, using voice to text on her phone

Video captions:
By the way…these words all count the same.
(Keyboard typing, phone typing, voice to text.)

Happy disability pride month, disabled writers!
Keep showing up however you can. 🖤

[end video description and captions]

#disabledwriter #disabilityrep #disabilitypridemonth
#disabilityinromance #happilyeveraccessible by @alicestanco

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3 months ago