Sarah
My name is Sarah Tuberty. I have a congenital limb difference, which has helped shape how I experience and view the world. It was something I felt intense shame on, growing up in the 90’s and I am so so so proud to say that is no longer the case! I have worked hard to liberate myself from this shame and be proud to step into spaces with my full self.
I started Aerial arts in 2016 and it was frustrating - as a limb different person, I needed to come up with modifications on my own. My coaches and classmates helped when they could, however much of the adaptations were things I needed to listen to my body and find alternative pathways. It was discouraging to see my classmates advance through skills, while I fumbled around still not yet mastering them.
In 2018, I had my first student showcase. For years I had spent so much energy and effort hiding my hand and hiding myself from the world, that for me to be on stage by myself with nowhere to hide, I was asking people to truly see me. This transformed how I viewed myself, helping to break free of my internalised ableism.
Growing up, I did not see images of myself, or people like me, I felt alone and that my fight was my own to bear. I got lost in the messages I received from my larger communities - that disability was a bad word. In embracing the spotlight in this way, it is like sending up a beacon, so that all of us can witness that we are all here together. It helps redefine what disability is and how we view ourselves.
I have started performing and incorporating the disability narrative into my art and coaching circus in Philadelphia!
Disability is a part of the human experience, let's embrace it, celebrate it, create community and do fun things!
Here is to joy in celebrating our full selves!
