Kelly Dawson – Medium

Jul 13, 2021

These 5 Mistakes Are Costing You a Successful Freelance Career

Thankfully, these things can be fixed. — When you’re a freelance writer, it almost feels like you can do no wrong. There’s no one above you to say otherwise, and no performance reviews to consider. Instead, there’s freedom. Sweet, you-are-your-own-boss freedom. Let’s say you want to work in a coffee shop one afternoon, only to finish typing…

Freelance

5 min read

Published in Destigmatizing

·May 29, 2021

I Have Cerebral Palsy, and Anthony Bourdain Pushed Me to See the World

A few weeks ago, a Parts Unknown episode brought me to tears. An emotional reaction isn’t all that surprising when it comes to a production led by Anthony Bourdain — be it curiosity, elation, and most understandably, envy. But those feelings weren’t what I was experiencing when I finished the…

Travel

5 min read

I Have Cerebral Palsy, and Anthony Bourdain Pushed Me to See the World

Published in Destigmatizing

·Apr 29, 2021

An Open Letter to Parents Who Use the Term “Special Needs”

The majority of the disabled community wants you to just…stop. I’ve always loved advice columns. I remember reading the Dear Abby series in the local paper after my mom was finished, re-reading American Girl how-to books from cover to cover, and getting (questionable) tips from magazines as a teen. Advice…

Disability

5 min read

An Open Letter to Parents Who Use the Term “Special Needs”

Published in The Startup

·Jul 10, 2020

Hey Freelancers, This Is What it Takes to Create a Successful Pitch

Follow these steps to get a byline. Let’s start out by stating the obvious: Freelance writing is hard. Really, really hard. While outdated stereotypes perpetuate the idea that freelance writers are either Carrie Bradshaw or couch potatoes, the truth is often far from both. As most Sex and the City…

Freelancing

6 min read

Hey Freelancers, This Is What it Takes to Create a Successful Pitch

Published in Gay Mag

·Nov 5, 2019

The Cost of Accessibility

It can be expensive to live life with a disability — Three old pairs of shoes cost $125.87 to be made “new” again. The total is routinely surprising, even though I’ve spent it many times, and I always try not to let the surprise show on my face. Instead, I carefully inspect the shoes my shoe guy holds up for me…

Disability

9 min read

Published in Reach Up

·Aug 2, 2015

The Quest To Belong And The Need To Participate

The Special Olympics World Games LA2015 highlights athletes whose stories exemplify the diversity of the human experience. But that experience is shared by all, and we need more action to make it inclusive. — For the past eight months, I’ve been learning the stories at the heart of the Special Olympics World Games. These stories were told to me by excited athletes ready to compete, proud parents remembering the early days of training and coaches remarking on the hard work of their teams. This…

Disability

4 min read

The Quest To Belong And The Need To Participate

Published in Reach Up

·Jul 28, 2015

Going With The Wind While Striving For The Gold

Michael Crofton and John Kirkland will work hard for Team U.S.A. in the World Games, but they’re doing so with laid-back attitudes. — When Michael Crofton and John Kirkland compete in the Special Olympics World Games on July 30, there will be plenty of challenges on the horizon. This will be their first World Games as a team, and their first time to Los Angeles. While they have sailed in the ocean, they’ve…

Special Olympics

3 min read

Going With The Wind While Striving For The Gold