DADADEL
Wheelchair Rapunzel, a.k.a Alex Dacy, born with spinal muscular atrophy, a rare genetic disability causing muscle wasting, emerges as a powerful advocate against stigma. Passionate about ending biases against disabled individuals, she amplifies her voice.
Well before her pregnancy, Alex Dacy embraced a strong role as a body positivity advocate.
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Following college graduation, Alex’s attempts at securing employment were met with numerous rejections.
She said: “I was discouraged and wanted to give up. That’s when I started sharing my story on Instagram to have an outlet, to feel included in society, and to contribute, despite no one hiring me. One of the main things I focus on, as a disability activist, is disabled body positivity and acceptance. Growing up, I never knew I was allowed to celebrate my body. The media conveyed that disabled people only exist to inspire people and that our bodies are defective and not worthy of pleasure.”
She and her partner encountered backlash due to their inter-abled relationship.
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Alex and Noah, an inter-abled couple, have confronted significant criticism for their love, both in real life and across social media platforms.
Noah said: “When we go out, we get looks almost to the point where people break their necks.” Upon announcing their pregnancy online, the couple faced significant negative backlash.
The Wheelchair Rapunzel and her man kept Combating online negativity following the revelation of pregnancy news.
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Upon revealing her pregnancy, Alex acknowledged her unplanned journey of experiencing childbirth firsthand. She’s embracing every moment, despite facing ableist inquiries and comments on social platforms, to which she’s providing thoughtful responses.
To eradicate stigma, Alex has been chronicling her pregnancy journey. She said: “Disabled parenthood is so heavily stigmatized in society and I want to open up conversations about this topic.”
About her pregnancy, she said it’s mentally exhausting: I’ve always wanted to be a mom. But people were saying, ’Terminate the pregnancy,’ ’It might have your disease,’ ’How are you going to care for a baby?’”
A pregnancy with elevated risks.
After an unexpected pregnancy, she halted her SMA treatment due to risks to the baby. Alex conceded that life grew tougher as her previous physical independence lessened, “I had never thought that my boyfriend would be my full-time caregiver. I am considered a high-risk pregnancy, but I am being seen by a full team of doctors. A lot of women with my disease give birth… Yes, it is pretty much hell, but it is possible.” Alex mentioned that the primary concern would probably revolve around her respiratory well-being, potentially leading to a necessity for a C-section.
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Despite the challenges, Alex welcomed a gorgeous baby girl into the world. “First skin-to-skin moment was a moment I’ll never forget. Feeling her chest on mine. Holding her to me, my heart beating with hers. After everything we went through together,” she wrote in an Instagram post.
