Hi foodies! I’m Grace, and I’m disabled and hungry.

I was born with a rare genetic condition called Limb-Girdle Muscular Dystrophy (subtype 2J) that causes my muscles to grow weaker with time. Just four years after I was diagnosed at age 22, I started using a power wheelchair to get around.

I’ve often said that while this condition has made my muscles weaker, it has only made my spirit stronger.

I’ve always been drawn to adventure. Early exposure to international travel sparked a curiosity in me that I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to shake (and I hope I don’t). Nothing makes me feel more alive than connecting with others, uncovering new spaces and diving headfirst into the rich histories of various cultures. And nothing does a better job of uniting these experiences like food.

After growing up in Atlanta on classic Southern comfort food, I spent my first semester of university in Rome, Italy, where I ate so much penne all’arrabbiata, it’s a miracle I made it out alive with my tastebuds in tact. I then studied journalism at USC in Los Angeles, where I had my fair share of sushi, birria tacos and of course, In-N-Out. Shortly after I graduated, I headed back east and now live in New York City, where there are no shortage of restaurants, or even cuisines, to try out.

My condition has progressed significantly during my time in New York. For the first couple of years since my diagnosis, I found it very hard to both accept and communicate my situation. I felt embarrassed to take on this new disabled identity due to internalized ableism from living in a judgmental and competitive world. I didn’t want to lose my independence, and I certainly did not want to be seen as weak.

Eventually, I made the decision to use a cane to support the imbalance that came from weakened legs. It was a very emotional transition for me. I could predict all of the questions that would come my way, so I decided to make a TikTok sharing a bit about my story. It was mostly a therapeutic activity for myself, but the response was more fantastic than I could have imagined. I had close friends, people I hadn’t spoken to in years, and strangers alike reaching out to share their support. It made me feel stronger and more brave than ever before. I came to understand that despite the presence of a mobility device or chronic illness, I was still me.

Even more special, I had others with LGMD or similar conditions/situations reach out. We connected and compared shared experiences, which makes a world of difference when you have a disease that only affects one in one million. As I continued to post videos highlighting my struggles, triumphs, learnings and accommodations, I connected with even more of the LGMD and disability community, receiving comments on how my videos helped others find the confidence to use their first mobility device or speak openly about their condition.

I found immense purpose in this, and decided to do a little rebranding to my already existing food account as I continued to adapt on my own adventures. Thus, Disabled & Hungry was born. A creative outlet highlighting accessibility in the food space and beyond.

A focus on restaurants made for a great place to start. Restaurants are a wonderful place to gather - they tell stories of resilience, passion and community. But if some of us are excluded from such spaces, then everyone loses. For example, disabled patrons miss out on the experience and a potentially delicious meal, and businesses lose out on customers and money.

For me, eating out has become an act of advocacy. Showing up in my chair is a statement. And I refuse to miss out on a potentially delicious meal.

My goal for Disabled & Hungry is to:

1. Encourage restaurants and venues to mind their accessibility

2. Highlight the best eats

3. Provide a map of accessible environments with helpful details

4. Bring together the foodie and disability community

If you take away anything from your visit on the blog, I hope it’s an understanding of the importance of belonging, as well as an inspiration to show up as your full self. Thanks for stopping by.