you're invited!
There are only 25 days until my wedding and I invite all my Disaboom and blog friends to join me in the insanity leading up to the big day.
About 10 months ago, I shared my engagement with the online world. Shortly after that, I got started on planning. Starting any new project for a blogger involves some research, so I hit the web. Wedding talk, blogs, forums, sites, idea boards, and widgets are everywhere. You want a Ewok cupcakes for a Star Wars-themed wedding? No problem! Perhaps you want to skip the traditional bridal attire for a trench coat that opens to nothing but a pair boy shorts? I could tell the designer within seconds. All this was amusing, but I wanted information about weddings and wheelchairs. It's almost entirely nonexistent.
There's a smattering of single posts about finding an accessible venue for weddings and apparently there's one episode of Whose Wedding is it Anyway? that features a bride in a wheelchair. What little is available on the topic almost always makes the assumption that only one member of the couple is disabled. In our case, we both use wheelchairs. I was left with these questions:
1. How would I find THE dress of my dreams that would also work with my chair?
2. How would I hold a bouquet as I pushed down the aisle?
3. How will we handle our first dance?
4. What parts of the wedding theme and decorations do we want to express our pride in our disability?
5. How does getting married affect disability benefits and insurance?
6. How will we make our wedding special...without it being THAT KIND of special?
The last few months have been filled with mostly private decision-making about these questions and more. It's been a whirlwind since I moved back to Kentucky to get everything done. I also experienced another blow a month ago in learning that I did not match or receive an internship placement to complete my Ph.D. program. You might remember me talking about all the anticipation, interviews, and hard work during the application process. It was probably the biggest disappointment I've ever faced. It's taken me some time to be able to talk about it here, but I felt I should because it explains my absence. I've started applying for work now and will have to try again next year to match for an internship.
To some, it may seem strange to talk about what I feel has been my biggest professional failure in the same post where I announce what I expect to be the happiest day of my life. To me though, this is exactly what most of the wedding chatter is missing-a strong dose of reality! The reality is that most brides don't have perfect bodies, endless budgets, and carefree lives. Wedding planning has had its ups and downs, but I've learned a great deal. In the next few posts and my first official series here on Disaboom, I'll share my journey with you. There will be pictures, funny stories, and DIY projects for brides-to-be or just generally crafty souls. If you have a question that you'd like me to answer, leave me a comment here. I'm excited to share my last few days as a "Miss" with you!
[Photo caption: My fiance and me smiling during our engagement photo session.]
