Snapshots of Service: Pico's Dedication Amidst a Career of Change

Pico stands behind the American flag for his professional portrait at the US Department of Labor

As I sit at my desk, the hum of assistive technology filling the room, I'm reminded of the many challenges and triumphs I've faced as a disability advocate and federal employee. My early days at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) saw me promoting the newly minted Obamacare, a transformative period in our nation's healthcare landscape. Later, at the USPTO, I was fiercely protecting intellectual property, ensuring the sanctity of innovation and creativity. Today, I promote the impactful mission of the U.S. Department of Labor, protecting our nation's workforce.

Yet, amidst these professional milestones, there's been a constant, loyal presence by my side for the past decade - my service dog, Pico.

September marks National Service Dog Month, a time to honor the incredible animals that transform lives daily. Pico, a graduate of Canine Companions®, joined me after my tenure at HHS. As a wheelchair user with a visual impairment, navigating the world can be daunting. But with Pico, every challenge becomes surmountable. His unwavering support, especially in the workplace, has been nothing short of amazing.

Invisible disabilities, like my chronic pain, often go unnoticed. But Pico sees it all. He senses my discomfort, offering solace with a nuzzle or a comforting presence by my side. He's more than just a service dog; he's a confidant, a protector, and a never-ending source of comedy.

Recently, thanks to the talented Shawn Moore, Pico and I had a moment that encapsulated our journey. As the camera clicked, capturing Pico in his full professional glory, I felt a swell of pride. It was a moment of recognition, not just for Pico's service but for every service animal that has made a difference in someone's life.

To Pico, I say, "Thank you." Thank you for your unwavering service, for the moments of joy, and for the challenges we've overcome together. Here's to many more years of partnership, advocacy, and making a difference.

Join me in celebrating National Service Dog Month. Share your stories, honor these incredible animals, and let's continue the conversation on the importance of accessibility and inclusion in every workspace.

The Unseen Battle: Chronic Pain and the Performance of Wellness

Ryan and Rachael smile in front of a Matchbox 20 Concert Poster at Jiffy Lube Live on July 27, 2023

Last night, I attended a Matchbox 20 concert at Jiffy Lube Live, an event that had been on my calendar since before the pandemic. The anticipation was high, but so was my pain. A sudden flare of chronic pain, the severity of which I hadn’t experienced in months, hit me just hours before the show. The unpredictability of disability and chronic pain is a constant reminder that it's always with us, even during our most anticipated moments.

As Brijana Prooker beautifully articulated in her POPSUGAR essay, living with an invisible illness often involves a performance of wellness. We mask our pain with smiles, energetic demeanors, and a relentless positivity that hides our suffering. We do this to make others comfortable, to fit into societal expectations of health and normalcy. But at what cost?

For years, I too performed wellness. I hid my pain behind an energetic bubbly persona, concealing my struggle from the world. But as Brijana points out, this performance can lead to further harm. "While I may have succeeded in looking healthy, it had only made me sicker," she writes. The energy we expend to appear "well" can exacerbate our conditions, leading to more pain, more fatigue, and a deeper sense of isolation.

The pressure to appear healthy extends to our social interactions. We extend visits beyond our limits, pushing through the pain to avoid disappointing others. We hide our needs, our pain, and our limitations, often at great personal cost. As Brijana explains, a casual hangout can cost us "days, possibly weeks in bed — and so many spoons, we'd have to wait until next month for them to replenish."

But it's time to break free from this cycle. It's time to prioritize our health over societal expectations and other people's comfort. It's time to make our invisible disabilities visible, to share our experiences openly and honestly. It's time to stop performing wellness and start living our truth.

As we near the end of Disability Pride Month, let's remember that our worth isn't determined by our appearance or wellness. Our worth lies in our resilience, our strength, and our ability to navigate a world that often overlooks us. Our worth lies in our authenticity, in our courage to share our stories, and in our determination to advocate for a more inclusive and understanding world.

I Spent Years Trying to Hide My Chronic Illness For Others' Comfort. No More.

The ADA and Beyond: The Ongoing Fight for Workplace Inclusion

A wheelchair user seen from behind moves through her workplace.

Today, it's time to reflect on the challenges and triumphs of disabled individuals in the workplace. As a disability advocate, I've seen firsthand the barriers that disabled individuals face in their professional lives. But I've also witnessed the resilience, creativity, and determination that they bring to the table.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was a significant milestone, but 33 years later, we're still grappling with the complexities of 'reasonable accommodations' and the stigma associated with disclosing a disability. As my friend Emily Ladau recently told CNBC, "Even though workplaces can focus on creating a culture of inclusion, there's that internal barrier that people still struggle with, because the world is telling them that disability is shameful, that disability is wrong, that their existence is somehow a mistake."

This narrative is not only harmful but also fundamentally untrue. Disability is not a mistake or a weakness; it's a part of our identity that shapes our experiences and perspectives. It's time to shift this narrative and embrace disability as a strength.

Research shows that when employees with disabilities are given the opportunity to educate and connect with their co-workers, the number of people who disclose a disability and request accommodations increases. This is a testament to the power of open dialogue and the importance of creating safe spaces for disclosure.

Companies like PSEG have taken steps in the right direction by launching initiatives to encourage people with disabilities to bring their full selves to work. After their awareness campaign, the percentage of people who identified as disabled in their workplace tripled. This is a clear indication that when we create an environment of understanding and empathy, people feel more comfortable disclosing their disabilities.

As we move forward, let's remember Ladau's words: "When we shift that narrative and we begin to say, 'You can identify as having a disability. That is something that you can be proud of. That makes you who you are,' the number of people who identify in the workplace as disabled is going to grow."

Let's continue to challenge the status quo, advocate for reasonable accommodations, and celebrate the diverse experiences and perspectives that disabled individuals bring to the workplace.

A Salute to Advocacy: Celebrating LinkedIn's Top Voices in Disability Advocacy

A picture of Ryan with a blue background and a Linkedin Top Voices graphic that reads: "Ryan Honick: Disability Advocate, Speaker, Professional Persuader."

This week, I was humbled to be featured as a Top Voice in Disability Advocacy by LinkedIn for the second straight year. Advocacy work is its own reward, but this recognition and the platform it provides to amplify our message is deeply appreciated.

Amidst all the chatter about various social media platforms and their impacts on social good, I firmly believe that LinkedIn stands out as the most beneficial and inclusive.

The honor has connected me with fellow advocates and allies, helping to magnify our collective message about the importance of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging for disabled people in our society. I am honored to be a Top Voice alongside so many inspiring advocates.

A heartfelt congratulations to Marisa Hamamoto, Lachi ♫, Donna Cruz Jones, Margaux Joffe, CPACC Jeremy Andrew Davis, Keely Cat-Wells, Meryl Evans, CPACC (deaf) Brandon Farbstein, Haben Girma, Julie Harris, Emily Ladau, Becca Lory Hector, Catarina Rivera, MSEd, MPH, CPACC, Natalie Trevonne, and Tiffany A. Yu, MSc. Your tireless efforts to create an equitable world do not go unnoticed.

Each of these advocates brings a unique perspective and voice to the table, and I encourage you to follow their work. Their stories, their struggles, and their victories are a testament to the power of advocacy.

As we celebrate this recognition, let's remember that our work is far from over. Every day, we strive to create a world where disability advocacy is no longer needed, where disability discourse is normalized, and where people with disabilities are treated as equals.

Special thanks to Marisa Hamamoto for the awesome graphic.

Advocacy Burnout: The Untold Story of Disability Activists

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A black candle with a wild flame burns surrounded by smoke and a dark desolate background.

As we near the end of Disability Pride Month, I find myself reflecting on the journey we've embarked on together. Nearly every day, I've shared stories, raised awareness, and spotlighted the diverse aspects of disability life. The response has been overwhelming, and I'm deeply grateful for each one of you who has engaged with my posts, learned something new, or found solace in shared experiences.

But today, I want to shed light on a seldom-discussed aspect of disability advocacy: the exhaustion. The reality is, advocacy doesn't pause when the calendar flips or the spotlight dims. We advocate every day, not because we crave attention or conflict, but because we must. We strive to live in a world where our advocacy is no longer necessary, where disability discourse is so normalized that it doesn't require amplification.

There are days when the weight of this work feels unbearable. Days when I wish I could "just live my life," as some well-meaning yet misguided individuals have suggested. But here's the thing: I advocate so that I can do exactly that. So that we all can.

We yearn for a future where months like Disability Pride or National Disability Employment Awareness Month are no longer needed because people with disabilities are treated as equals. We yearn for a future where we don't have to justify our existence or fight for our rights. We yearn for a future where we can just live our lives.

Today, I'm not spotlighting a specific issue or cause. Instead, I'm offering a behind-the-scenes look at the toll advocacy takes. It's rewarding, yes, but it's also physically, mentally, and emotionally draining. And I promise you, your disabled friends are feeling it too.

We can't wait for the day when our advocacy puts itself out of business, as my entrepreneurial father Craig Honick once said. But until then, we need you. We need our allies to step up, to share the load, to amplify our voices. We are tired, but we are not defeated. And with your help, we can build a world where disability advocacy is a chapter in history books, not a daily fight.

Thank you for being part of this journey. Let's keep the conversation going, not just this month, but every day.