Over the past few months, I’ve experienced some deeply challenging moments, both personally and professionally. From unexpected health setbacks to painful logistical barriers during travel, the kind that strip away your basic dignity, I’ve had to pause, regroup, and find my way forward again.

But the truth is, it’s not just me. I’m hearing it everywhere. From friends, colleagues, fellow disabled changemakers. There’s a collective heaviness in the air – a kind of exhausted disbelief at how far we still have to go when it comes to disability inclusion.

We see regressive policy and media narratives like the UK government’s changes to Personal Independence Payments. We hear world leaders use language that devalues disabled lives. We watch vital accessibility infrastructure crumble or be denied altogether. And all of this is set against a backdrop of economic shocks, political instability, and a growing global fatigue that seems to be pushing inclusion to the sidelines again.

It’s overwhelming. It’s disheartening. And it’s tempting to go quiet.

But I believe the opposite is needed now.

This isn’t a post with easy answers. There’s no shiny call to action or perfect campaign to point toward. It’s simply an acknowledgement: this is hard. And it’s okay to say that out loud.

At the same time, I still believe in the power of disabled people and allies coming together. I still believe in what we’re building – slowly, collectively, and with love. Whether it’s through policy change, business innovation, content creation, or everyday advocacy. We are still here. Still pushing. Still imagining something better.

So if you’re feeling tired too, or discouraged, or angry – this is your reminder that you’re not alone. That it’s okay to rest. That our voices still matter. And that progress doesn’t only happen when we’re at our strongest. It also happens when we show up in our truth, even when it’s messy.

Let’s keep talking. Let’s keep listening. Let’s keep going.