A Sip of Flava ☕

This morning is a little different for me.

Today I’m working in the clinic because I also have an appointment with my doctor — the same doctor who helps me manage my body pain. I feel very blessed to work alongside the physician who also helps take care of me.

Coming into the clinic reminds me how much my body depends on the environment I work in.

At home, I’ve carefully set up a workspace that supports my physical needs. I have an office chair that supports my entire back, a heating pad ready if I need it, and my desk arranged so I can move everything around easily without straining my body.

It works. It allows me to do my job well.

Here in the clinic, the chairs simply aren’t designed to support my back the same way. By the end of the day, my body feels the difference.

But I’m still grateful to be here today. It’s always good to see coworkers in person and feel the energy of the clinic.

This morning’s appointment with my doctor is important for another reason. I want to talk with him about supporting my ability to work from home when needed — possibly on an ongoing basis — so I can continue working safely and effectively.

Over the past months, I’ve come to accept something that took time for me to say out loud:

I am disabled.🌻

Accepting that reality has not taken away my desire to work. In fact, it has helped me focus on finding the best path forward so I can continue contributing in a meaningful way.

I’m 65+, still working, still showing up, and still committed to doing my job well. But sometimes that means having honest conversations about what support looks like moving forward.

There comes a time in life when we have to sit down and have those conversations — not out of weakness, but out of wisdom.

And today feels like one of those days.

So I’m sipping my coffee this morning with gratitude, honesty, and hope for a good conversation.

— Lady Flava 🌻