Alex Dacy, also known as Wheelchair Rapunzel, has been fighting spinal muscular atrophy since her birth, a rare genetic condition that makes muscles relatively weak. To squash the prejudice against disability, Dacy helps spread the experience she acquired over the years and the capabilities she possesses at her disposal. By her voice, she drives change, hence proving that one’s power is not related to one’s body only.
Even way before Alex’s pregnancy, she had been taking on the role of body positivity advocate in a very powerful way.
After she graduated from college, Alex Dacy came across several rejections from different companies, which made her downcast. Her purpose was re-established after she vented on Instagram by telling her story and reclaiming her place in society. Currently, as a disability activist, she encourages body positivity, the idea that disabled bodies are “broken” and do not qualify for joy should change to something positive.
The negative responses from people were directed at Alex and her partner, who are inter-abled.
Alex and Noah, being an interabled couple, have become subjects of vicious censure, both online and offline, just because they love each other.
Noah was direct: “When we go out, people stare so hard it’s like they’re trying to snap their necks.” However, it wasn’t until they disclosed their impending parenthood, causing a torrent of outrage and derision ,th the real storm occurred.
Even after sharing their pregnancy news, the couple of The Wheelchair Rapunzel wasn’t discouraged by negativity online.
Alex opens up about the fact that her getting pregnant was not in the plans—but she’s diving into the experience headfirst, savoring every authentic and beautiful moment of it.
In the midst of ableist questions and comments sprung upon her by the netizens, she is still able to respond with dignity and intellect, transforming the ignorance of others into her own opportunity.
She takes on her part to break the narrative and eliminate all the stereotypes by posting real and unfiltered stories of her pregnancy. “People with disabilities are always being judged by society as unfit to be parents”, she explains, “hence I am the one who takes them out of their comfort zone to discuss it.” By sharing snippets of her life journey—from her prenatal appointments to the barriers in public spaces—she is giving a big push to society to face and deal with its prejudices.
“Becoming a mom is already emotionally draining—but the cruel comments cut deeper,” Alex reveals. “I’ve always dreamed of having kids, but the nasty words touched my heart even more as strangers asked me to kill the baby. They said the child could ‘inherit my suffering’, or were sure that a disabled person like me would not take care of a baby. As if disability can remove love’s capacity to be resilient.”
The pregnancy was associated with a higher risk of the situation.
If Alex had to endure the worst part of the situation (get a new boyfriend, quit SMA treatment), she did so thanks to an unexpected pregnancy, and as she was forced to do so, she never paused. She describes the experience of the delivery of her baby as a “difficult situation” and “It’s tough but possible,” acknowledging that the necessity to change her body condition and the consequent breathing issues might lead to a cesarean section. Her every step is in direct contrast to people’s existing expectations of the relationship between disability and parenting.
Despite all the difficulties, Alex managed to be successful. She gave birth to a beloved daughter with a smile. “That moment of first skin-to-skin is always kept in my soul,” she said on her Instagram post. “Her chest against mine, our hearts syncing… after every obstacle, this was our victory.”
