Growing up, she heard that her body was unattractive, she couldn’t find a job because of her illness, and when she recently announced she was expecting a baby, she faced condemnation for a change. That is why she decided to say goodbye to the stigma that has accompanied her all her life. The proof is her healthy daughter!
Alex Dacy , also known as the wheelchair-bound Rapunzel, was born with a rare genetic disorder called spinal muscular atrophy. It is a genetic disease that causes muscle wasting and mobility problems.
After graduating from college, she tried to get a job, but was met with many rejections due to her illness. “I got discouraged and wanted to give up. That’s when I started sharing my story on Instagram. I felt like I should get the word out so that people like me can be included in everyday life and society,” she says.
One of the main things she focuses on as a disabled activist is positivity and body acceptance. “Growing up, I didn’t know that I could celebrate my body in any way. I just heard that mine was flawed and definitely not attractive,” she recalls of her adolescence.
When she met her partner Noah, she had no idea how many people their relationship would “lay in their stomachs”. A healthy man and woman in a wheelchair? What kind of mismatched couple is this? Both faced a lot of criticism on social media. “When we go out, people give us absolutely negative looks. They show us quite a bit of dislike, ” Noah complained.
And what about when they announced the news that they would soon become parents. Both received more than enough outraged reactions. The negativity that Alex has been dealing with since childhood was draining her mentally, even more so during pregnancy. “I always wanted to be a mom. But people told me: ‘End the pregnancy,’ ‘It could have your disease,’ ‘How are you going to take care of the baby?” Parenting where one of the couple is disabled in any way , there is still a lot of stigma in society, and I want to open up a conversation about this,” she says determinedly.
Although I had a high-risk pregnancy, I was monitored by a team of doctors. Lots of women with the same condition have given birth to healthy babies, so why not me?”
When announcing her pregnancy, she admitted that she never planned to give birth naturally. “But I intend to enjoy every moment of this amazing stage of life that my body has been able to do.” But on social networks, she was once again flooded with questions and comments on the topic of ableism, i.e. discrimination and prejudice against people with disabilities. He patiently explains that she too can lead a relatively normal life. Even with a child by his side.
Because she became pregnant unplanned, she had to stop her treatment, which could be dangerous for the baby. Otherwise, she enjoyed her pregnancy to the fullest every day.
Despite all the difficulties she had to face, she gave birth to a healthy baby girl , Ari Jacqueline, a few weeks ago. “The first “skin to skin” contact was a moment I will never forget. The feel of her chest against mine. Holding her close, and feeling my heart beat with hers. After everything we’ve been through… “ shared on the network a moved mother after giving birth.
