Laughoutlauren

 Home for Christmas: A Miracle That Changed My Life When I was 18, life threw me a curveball that nearly sent me packing to Iowa, far from everything I loved. I was living in a nursing home—yep, a nursing home at 18, not exactly the teenage dream. It was just a temporary spot, but my mom had plans to move me halfway across the country to Iowa, away from my friends, my family, and everything familiar. Talk about a plot twist I wasn’t ready for. Then, a social worker accidentally let slip to my dad that my insurance had a writer for 24/7 nursing care. We had no clue! My dad, my total hero, jumped on it and said, “Let’s make this happen. I want my kid home.” We’d been dreaming of living together since I was a kid, but life kept tossing obstacles our way. The biggest? Insurance. They were like the final boss in a video game, denying our requests for the nursing care I needed. My dad couldn’t care for me on his own, so Iowa was looking like my only option. As the deadline to move crept ...

 Not Everyone's Got Your Back: And That's Okay Hey, wanderers of the wild internet, buckle up because life's a chaotic carnival, and not every clown in the tent is rooting for your big top moment. Today, we're diving headfirst into the messy truth: not everyone will be in your corner. Some folks might stab you in the back faster than a plot twist in a bad thriller, while others ghost you from the jump—or straight-up abandon ship when the waves get choppy. But here's the mic-drop revelation—you don't need their approval or their half-assed loyalty. Why? Because deep down, you know your worth, and that's the superpower that keeps you standing tall amid the chaos. The Betrayal Brigade: When "Rides" Turn Into "Stabs" Picture this: You're grinding away, pouring sweat and soul into whatever lights your fire—be it your dream job, a passion project, or just surviving the daily grind. Then bam! That "friend" who hyped you up yesterda...

 Why Standing Up for Yourself is a Total Queen Move Grab your crown, because I’m serving some real talk. Standing up for what you believe in, what’s right, and what keeps you glowing isn’t just empowering—it’s a straight-up power move. I used to be the girl who’d fade into the background, letting everyone else run the show while I nodded like a bobble head. But that version of me? She’s getting a makeover. I’m still not perfect at this whole advocating thing, but I’m working on it, and every step feels like a victory lap. The Old Me: The Quiet Sidekick Back in the day, I was the queen of staying silent. Need someone to sort out the mess? Not my circus. Got an opinion? I’d bury it deeper than my ex’s emotional IQ. I’d let others decide everything—where we’d go, how I’d act, even who I’d be. Worst of all, when I was with my ex, I let my values and convictions gather cobwebs just to keep things "easy." Spoiler: that’s not easy, that’s just you selling yourself short. I was so bu...

 Defying the Naysayers: Living Large with Disabilities Kicking Down Doors: The Art of Getting Out with Disabilities Alright, let’s get real. Living with a disability is like being handed a script that says, “Stay inside, it’s too hard, it’s not safe.” Screw that noise. People with disabilities—myself included—aren’t here to collect dust in some corner. We’re built for adventure, fresh air, and epic moments, just like anyone else. Yeah, I’m tethered to a ventilator, juggling nurse schedules, and battling my body’s quirks, but I’m out here proving the doubters wrong. If I can roll into Broadway, you can too. Let’s break down why getting out is worth the fight and how to shut up the naysayers. The “You Can’t” Chorus and Why It’s A Lie  People love to tell us we can’t get out much. “It’s too hard,” they say, or “It’s not safe.” Like they’re the experts on our lives. Newsflash: their caution tape doesn’t hold us back—it’s just a challenge to rip through. For me, getting out means w...

 Grandma's Wisdom with My Two Cents I sat down with my grandma, a woman whose smile could light up a room and whose stories are like warm hugs, to talk about life, love, and the lessons that stick. Her answers, rooted in faith and down-to-earth grit, gave me a front-row seat to a life lived with heart and purpose. As someone who’s all about faith, community, and spreading joy, I couldn’t help but add my own advice to her gems, inspired by her wisdom and my own journey. Buckle up for Grandma’s insights, my chaotic spin, and a double dose of life advice! Living the Good Life Grandma’s got a clear vision for a good life: “I believe a good life can only be with God as your guide and you following Him wherever He leads. You might have some good times, but you miss out at the end.” It’s like she’s saying you can throw a killer party, but without faith, you’re missing the confetti at the end. For her, God’s the compass that keeps you from wandering into life’s dead ends, and I’m here for ...

 Family Ain't Always Blood: My Tribe, My Spiritual Kin Family isn’t just the folks you share DNA with—sometimes, it’s the people who show up when life’s throwing punches and you’re down for the count. I’m super grateful for my blood family who are there for me when they can be, especially my dad, who’s my absolute rock, always in my corner no matter what. But I’d be lying if I said everyone in my family is close—some don’t talk to me or include me much, and that’s okay; we all have our own paths and struggles. Living with SMA my whole life, I’ve got challenges most folks can’t imagine—like not being able to move or not being able to get out when I want to. And let's not forget the not so Prince Charming that played me like a fiddle. This past year, depression and anxiety had me so far down in the dumps, I was practically living in a pit of despair. But God? He’s got a way of sending the right people at the right time, and let me tell you, the crew I’ve found has been the glue I...