The compounded burden of being a black and disabled student during the age of COVID-19

Abstract

In this piece, I share my thoughts about how the field of public health can better understand the impact of intersectionality in disability, higher education and health care. Intersectionality can create a compounded burden that is only exacerbated in the midst of this pandemic. I begin by describing how my life changed at the onset of the pandemic in terms of my daily life, including the impact of shifting to online classes and rising racial tensions within our country. Next, I offer advice to those who are newly diagnosed with long term disabilities in self-acceptance and grieving. To conclude, I call for a shift in public health with holistic approaches and reducing the achievement gap while enhancing support provided by university offices for Disabled students. Being disabled is a part of who I am, not just a list of conditions on my medical chart.