Sighing is actually not rude

It is life sustaining and can also help you emotionally self-regulate

“So, what’s this new project about?”

an acquaintance asked.

“You finally find a way to get better?”

Her question hit me like a sucker punch in the chest. But instead of addressing the bite in her words — the ableism — the shaming that was so ripe within her tone — I took a deep breath. And then, I took another one.

The pause undoubtedly caught her by surpri…