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Emily

@e.mathis13

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Always smiling | SF Bay Area | SF Disability Council Member

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I always knew I was a fairy 🧚‍♀️ I just needed friends to help me find my wings ✨ taken in Great Northern by @e.mathis13

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18 hours ago

I used to think accepting mobility aids meant accepting a smaller life.

Turns out, I had that completely backwards.

My wheelchair has taken me to concerts, gardens, nights out, work, adventures with friends, and places I probably would have stayed home from otherwise. It has given me the freedom to say yes without constantly wondering whether my body can keep up.

But the biggest surprise has been realizing that disability hasn’t just changed how I move through the world. It’s changed what I want to do in it.

I’m dreaming bigger than I did before.

I’ve found myself increasingly drawn toward advocacy, public service, and the possibility of using what I’ve learned to make my community more accessible. I’m starting to imagine myself in rooms I never would have pictured myself in before — and realizing that maybe my perspective belongs there.

I’m seeing that at work, too. My disability isn’t treated like something I have to overcome before I can be valuable. My lived experience is part of what I bring to the table. It gives my team another perspective, helps us notice where we can do better, and gives us another lens for thinking about how disabled people experience the spaces and art we create.

That’s been a pretty profound shift for me: the thing I once worried would make me less capable has become part of what makes my perspective valuable.

None of that means disability is easy. There are inaccessible places, frustrating days, things I miss, and plenty of moments when my body and I are very much butting heads.

But my life isn’t getting smaller.

I’m more independent. More adventurous. More willing to ask for what I need. I’m finding community, purpose, and ambitions I didn’t have before.

I never dreamed becoming disabled and accepting mobility aids would help me create a life bigger than the one I had before.

And now I’m starting to think I haven’t dreamed nearly big enough 🌸⚡️ taken in Filoli Historic House & Garden by @e.mathis13

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2 months ago

A better world is possible. I would personally like mine with more bass 🧚‍♀️🔊✨ taken in San Francisco, California by @e.mathis13

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2 months ago

Today is a big day for me - today I was officially sworn in to be one of the newest San Francisco Mayor’s Disability Council members, and I couldn’t be prouder. When I got diagnosed with POTS last November, I thought my life was over. I thought having a disability meant no more raves and losing the community that had helped me find myself. After months of volunteering with SF’s MDC, I’m thrilled to announce I will be an official member, happy to fight to make nightlife and entertainment in this lovely city more accessible for all. POTS doesn’t mean my life is over - if anything, it’s helped me see I’m passionate about making the world a better place for myself and others ✨ taken in San Francisco City Hall by @e.mathis13

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5 months ago

Get in losers, we’re going shopping 🛍️ Thanks @_damian.jpeg taken in San Francisco, California by @e.mathis13

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a year ago

Still washing off all the glitter ✨ taken in Las Vegas, Nevada by @e.mathis13

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2 years ago

Gonna keep on dancing 💕 taken in Los Angeles, Venice Beach by @e.mathis13

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2 years ago

How many lesbians would it take to change all these lightbulbs 🤔 the world may never know 💡 taken in Sensorio by @e.mathis13

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2 years ago

Thank you Denver for the memories! It was a blast 💥 taken in Denver, Colorado by @e.mathis13

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2 years ago

Life update - after my father’s funeral, my car got stolen, which led to me getting the car of my dreams. So thankful for it each and every day, and so glad driving it’s like carrying a piece of my dad with me every where I go 💖🚙 taken in San Francisco, California by @e.mathis13

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3 years ago

This past week was one of the best and hardest weeks 💖 So thankful my brother and his wife were able to come visit and explore the city with us, but we also had to say goodbye to our dear friend Wally. We will always love you, sweet boy 💖 taken in Castello Di Amorosa by @e.mathis13

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3 years ago

Couldn’t imagine a better way to welcome in the new year than with this wonderful group of people ✨ taken in Cazadero, California by @e.mathis13

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3 years ago