Fahada

It's the last day of Disability Pride Month, and the anniversary of the ADA has also happened this month.

There's a lot I could/can talk about.

•About how I've been dynamically disabled for several years, and am even more disabled now that I've been diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder.
•About how being disabled is a minority that anyone can suddenly become a part of, at any time.
•About how disabilities don't define a person, but they ARE a part of who they are.
•About how disabled people still don't have the same rights that most people in this country have. (We can't get married without losing insurance/benefits that help keep us alive, for example.)
•About how that one bill (OBBBA) that passed on the 4th WILL kill people. However, the majority of the cuts to Medicaid that will affect people won't take effect until the end of 2026 or 2027, after the next set of elections.

I'll be honest, there are many people who are far more educated than I am in discussing the majority of those points (and I've been sharing them in my stories)...and I will talk about some of it in the future.

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Fayetteville PRIDE was so much fun this year!

And thankfully, it was much cooler than previous years since it was held inside at Crown Complex this year!

(Fingers crossed it's held there again next year!)

I'm glad I had the opportunity to be an Education Sponsor and hope to have the opportunity to do so again next year!

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To everyone who asked:
Eyeshadow = Juvia's Place Masquerade Palette
Eyeshadow Primer = Urban Decay Cosmetics Original Primer Potion
Socks = Sock Dreams Pride Stripes Knee High Socks

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I had a fantastic time performing in and watching Defiant! A Disabled Showcase, an event earlier this month that celebrated the resilience and creativity of disabled artists.

Being around all these incredibly talented performers was a true honor, and I can't wait to see them shine on stage again in the future.

I'm overjoyed that I had the opportunity to show how bellydance can still be performed with a disabled body, a journey that has been both challenging and rewarding for me.

Shout out to all the amazing people who were a part of making it happen: The Delta Oracle , Clint Torris, Seymour Booti, Mx. Princexx Peritwinkle, Mossbody, Lotus Pit, Jacqueline Boxx, Carter Pounder, Lou Jent, Rebekah Reconteur, Dragon Pax, Dr. Ryder Dye, Sally Stardust, Arcana

And a huge thank you to my lovely friends who came out to watch: Iron Clown Studios , Angelina, Alex Garcia , and Michelle

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Costume made by Angelina
Headpiece made by Amalia Design Jewelry

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Can't attend but still want to support? Sponsor a ticket today!

Can’t come but still want to support the show?

We’re inviting folks to sponsor tickets for Defiant: A Disabled Showcase—a way to support access and community, even if you can't be in the room.

Each sponsored ticket ($23.18) will either:
- Compensate our ASL interpreter
- Go to a disabled community member who wouldn’t otherwise be able to attend

If you’d like to sponsor a ticket, simply purchase one at the link below, then forward your confirmation to [email protected] with the subject line “Sponsored Ticket.”

Your support helps us keep this space as accessible and intentional as we believe it should be.

Thank you for having our backs.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/defiant-a-disabled-showcase-tickets-1366348227329?fbclid=IwY2xjawKcJCpleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETF0eFo2WG9od1FKRkp1bEpuAR5kkm33KDXVxLh-DZCNZ61tvIl8Azjzyxo1US6XVXrM_Pbjrueo9RQ4bil6Kw_aem_BGI0LkVIw8SDnbYLFaiBmQ

OK

Access isn't optional - it's center stage!

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I'm so excited to join all these wonderful people in Defiant: A Disabled Showcase

If you’ve been to one of my classes before (or even just said “oh I don’t think I can dance because of xyz” to me) you’ve likely heard me talk about how bellydance can be accessible to anyone, it just takes some knowledge and creativity. The past few years, and this year in particular, that has been more relevant than ever to my personal practice.

So come see the show, and witness how I’m making bellydance work for me 😘

The show is Thursday, June 12 at Arcana in Durham and starts at 8pm!
There are three seating options to choose from and they are all $23!
Remember to get your tickets before they sell out ❣️as they are limited!
There is a QR code on the last photo or a link in the comments.

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Disabled performers are taking the stage at North Carolina’s only le***an bar, just in time for pride month at Arcana! Defiant brings drag, burlesque, music, and more in a showcase that’s fierce, celebratory, and fully on our terms.

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This past weekend I went to the Egyptian Dance Spectacular featuring Tommy King and Leilah Moon hosted by Aisha Studios

It was, in fact, an absolutely spectacular showcase of Egyptian dance from an amazing lineup of dancers.

Every time I go to a showcase by Aisha Studios, it's always impressive and even the non-dancer friends I bring with me are left talking about the event for weeks afterward...I gotta say though, this one blew everyone away.

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I only got photos with some of the NC Bellydance Entertainment troupe members, Lina, Shimmy, & Michelle. It was great to see them (along with Aisha Habibti) again after so many months 💖

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Republic Belly Dance hosted a wonderful Beer and Bellydance here in Fayetteville at Gaston Brewing Taproom last week!

It was my first outing since January 13 that wasn't for medical reasons, and I had a great time seeing everyone dance. 💖

Here's to the next one!

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📸 Photo of myself & my partner by John Nichols

These two quotes, one from RuPaul and another from Dan Savage, have been ones I've sent to many people recently, so I wanted to share them with you all to see if they resonate with you as well 💛

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Blood Transfusion Day!

(I'm out of the hospital now.)

I've gotten a lot of messages asking if I'm "better" yet.

I've unfortunately been diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder and am in the middle of an extremely severe flare that has my body in shambles.

On the positive side, I now have a diagnosis and a treatment plan with my doctors that I feel good about.

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I apologize to everyone I haven't responded to recently.
I'm currently dealing with some internal health issues.

Thank you for your patience during this difficult time, I hope to be able to return to dance ... as soon as my doctors say I can.

Fahada

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