December rarely slows down—not in our world, anyway.
It’s a whirlwind month full of holiday gatherings, year-end planning, medical appointments, winter weather surprises, and the constant hum of everyday caregiving life. During this season, Mikelle and I find our to-do lists grow longer, not shorter, and reflection happens in the in-between spaces: in the car, between appointments, while wrapping gifts, or having coffee with friends around the kitchen table, or, for Katherine, sipping a late-night cup of tea.
After noticing a social media post from our longtime friend, we learned of her upcoming hip surgery.
A week ago, Mikelle and I sat down with Win around the kitchen table via Zoom. There was the quick zoom camera moment, and then we turned off the camera and just chatted–the way old friends do—just talking, catching up, and letting the conversation wander where it needed to go: nothing fancy, just honest voices around the table.
Over the decades, Mikelle and Win navigated their cerebral palsy, not letting it limit their dreams. In the process, they learned the importance of speaking up, of living with cerebral palsy their whole lives, of learning to speak up, figure things out, and push through systems that weren’t exactly built with them in mind. No one expected them to grow into the strong middle-aged women they are now, but here they are—laughing, comparing notes, and sharing the kind of wisdom you only earn by living it.
A week ago, Mikelle and I sat down with her for a conversation that felt both timely and timeless. Both ladies share the lived experience of cerebral palsy, decades of self-advocacy, and the solid strength that comes from navigating systems that weren’t always designed to carry them into adulthood—let alone into middle age.
And perhaps that’s the part we should pause on, even in December’s rush: this conversation is something to celebrate.
A Time to Celebrate: Aging Is a Victory
Fifty years ago, many people with cerebral palsy never lived long enough to worry about aging. Medical care was limited. Expectations were lower. Autonomy was often denied, and institutional living was common.
Today, women like Mikelle and Win are rewriting that story.
They are thriving.
They are working.
They are building businesses.
They are podcasting, laughing, traveling, and looking ahead.
Their presence in a conversation about aging isn’t just natural—it’s revolutionary.
Better medical understanding, assistive technology, community-based supports, and the rise of self-determination have changed the future. We are now seeing what happens when people with disabilities have agency, choice, and consistent caregivers:
- Longer lifespans
- Fewer hospital visits
- Better preventative care
- Reduced emergency interventions
- Stronger mental health and social connections
This is what happens when people are supported to live in homes—not institutions. In neighborhoods—not facilities.With autonomy—not compliance.
And that, in itself, is a December miracle worth noticing.
A “Routine” Surgery Looks Different Through a Disability Lens
A little nervous, Win is preparing for a hip replacement, and she and Mikelle talk about what “routine” really means. For most people, it’s straightforward. For someone with CP, it’s layered, misunderstood, and requires extra advocacy.
Win explains how:
- She must educate her medical team about her disability.
- Providers view CP through outdated assumptions.
- Her recovery will look different—and needs to be respected as such.
Aging isn’t part of the conversation within our support systems. Honestly, long-term services and supports are not prepared, so we need to be.
Better Health Through Choice, Control & Support
One of the clearest takeaways from both women’s lives is this:
People with disabilities who direct their healthcare and live with stable, supportive caregivers stay healthier—period.
Consistency matters. Relationships matter. Being known—truly known—matters.
A caregiver who has been in someone’s life for years can spot:
- The early signs of illness
- Shifts in tone, energy, or movement
- Pain masked by habit
- Anxiety hidden behind a smile
That familiarity is healthcare. It’s prevention. It’s dignity. And it keeps people out of emergency rooms and hospital beds!
Another Transition.
As Mikelle transitions through her 40s, she feels the shifts—physically, emotionally, socially. Her communication devices matter more. Continued growth is part of her healthcare plan. Supporting her entrepreneurial spirit is critical. Assisting her in the continued development of her team and in setting up a work environment where each caregiver can bring new energy, humor, and connection.
Her iPad, her business cards, her podcasts, her bracelets—these aren’t hobbies, they’re her voice, her identity, her community.
And aging well, for Mikelle, is deeply tied to the team that surrounds her, the people who support her body and her aspirations, and the relationships that nourish her independence.
The Big Questions.
Check out the ladies’ podcast. You will feel their mutual respect and connection. In this episode, Mikelle and Win step into the deep questions—ones many families avoid but cannot ignore:
- Where will I live as I age?
- Who will support me when my parents can’t?
- What does independence look like in the next decade?
- How do I stay connected and engaged?
For adults with disabilities, these questions are not abstract. They are urgent, daily considerations woven into every plan, appointment, and conversation.
But when two friends talk about these realities together, the fear doesn’t disappear—but it softens. Because aging is no longer something happening to them, it’s something they are navigating—with intention.
Community: The Real Lifeline in a Busy December
December asks a lot of us—caregivers, families, self-advocates, medical teams, and friends.
But it also reveals what truly sustains us:
Community. Consistency. Connection.
We hope you’ll listen to this powerful conversation between two women who have defied expectations, shaped their own lives, and continue to shine beautifully as they age—with intention, courage, and a support system that makes everything possible.
🎧 Listen to the episode: Aging, Disability & the Power of Friendship