brokenclay.org/journal

Looking for the blog? Here it is.

Artwork by Daphne Xiao

Hi, I’m Katja.

I’m a person with multiple sclerosis who uses a wheelchair. I’m also a retired software engineer, a wife, a mother, a singer (in Cantabile), a web designer, a traveler and an athlete. I grew up in a Foreign Service family and was lucky enough to be able to live in several different countries before returning to the United States to attend high school and college. Now I live in Colorado with my husband and a lot of sports equipment.

I started blogging in about 2001, hoping it would help me deal with the confusion and anger I was experiencing in dealing with my worsening multiple sclerosis. I wasn’t sure who my audience was (besides me), and it took time to find my voice.

Since I started blogging, my mindset about disability has changed. I’m much calmer now. I realize that I’m part of a larger community of people on an infinite continuum of abilities. Professionally, I’ve gone from being a relatively junior software developer to leading teams of programmers, to being a consultant, to being retired. Personally, I’ve lost 40 pounds, learned to swim, race, lift and row, and have learned to love physical activity. My children have grown into amazing, kind, thoughtful, smart and capable adults.

Thank you for reading. I hope you find something here that is helpful, or informative, or funny.