A Year of Listening
A Year of Listening

In my time as an audience member, I got to observe what makes a composed musician. I understood that my experience is not unique. In fact, it’s part of the job that no one teaches you. You don’t have to toughen up, per say, but you do need to find a way to account for the myriad of things that don’t have an easy solution.

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creativity, PracticeHalley Elwelllearning, lessons learned
Why it Took Me So Long to Realize I Was Disabled
Why it Took Me So Long to Realize I Was Disabled

I can pretend like the rest of them - rounding up all of my accomplishments and parading them on social media, somehow hoping if the photo is bright and shiny enough, it will erase the pain and struggle of being a human. But this year, I found I didn’t want to participate. Because the thing I am most proud of is still so new and fragile to me that I have not wanted to share it. I haven’t wanted to have to explain myself, or defend myself, or have my identity questioned while I was still puzzling over what felt right for me.

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Neurofibromatosis, WellnessHalley Elwellneurofibromatosis, illness, disability, body awareness