Aarynn C

As a child, doctors diagnosed Aarynn with cerebral palsy. Years later, they discovered her disability actually stemmed from a malformed spinal cord or an injury she sustained as an infant.

 

“I’ve always had a visible physical disability. From childhood into my thirties, I walked without assistance. My gait wasn’t typical, but it worked for me.” Then, without warning, Aarynn began losing her balance and struggled to walk. “I was devastated. My disability was progressing, and I feared I’d need a wheelchair.” The struggle became just as emotional as it was physical. Despite her efforts, she couldn’t regain her ability to walk. Self-doubt crept in, but after much trial and error, she adjusted to life in a wheelchair.

 

Aarynn quickly noticed how differently people treated her in a wheelchair compared to when she walked “differently.” That experience deepened her commitment to raising awareness among non-disabled people. “We are all human and deserve human justice.” Driven by a passion for people and their stories, Aarynn is now in her third year of a master’s counseling program, with a focus on disability. She actively works to foster cross-disability solidarity.

 

What advice would Aarynn give her younger self?

“At the time, I tried too hard to make friends and fit in. It does get better. I wish I’d had someone—like a counselor—to talk to honestly about my feelings. Someone who could’ve helped me find my own values, instead of chasing approval. Yes! That’s the counselor in me talking!”

You can follow Aarynn Cypher at @aarynncypher