[Image: Tonia smiling widely for the camera with chin-length brown hair. She's sitting profile in her candy apple green wheelchair, wearing a blue Ms. Write t-shirt, light gray sweatpants and teal sneakers with neon yellow laces.] *** Today marks 9 years of Tonia Says. To celebrate both the prolific work on this blog as well as Tonia, the incomparable human being, I asked friends to share their favorite posts and their thoughts about Tonia herself. It has turned into a beautiful memorial and celebration. You'll find my contribution at the end of the post. - Tara, Tonia's twin sister Note ..read more

 Tonia M Christle 1981 - 2023 So, What's The Hardest Part? by Tonia M. Christle Facing this: The hardest part. This Having nothing To hide behind. This Reality Lurking Behind so many Curtains. This room Without me Looms. I want To live forever, Is that Too much To ask ..read more

It's hard to believe it's been 8 years since I started blogging here. A lot has happened especially over the last year that has limited my time for blogging. And I miss it. I miss it so much it hurts. But I believe that I'll come back to it. I miss you all ..read more

2,200 words 17 minute read Previously: Interview Questions About Writing / Interview Questions About My Books As of this writing, Tara and I are eight chapters into our latest work, Appearances, and we wanted to answer the third set of these questions.  The summary (since it’s referred to a few times in the questions) is as follows: Middle school teacher, Sam Jensen and three of her students face a situation none of them is prepared for. The only way through it is together. Since we love discussing writing together, we thought we’d unpack some of the secrets of Appearances for you ..read more

1,210 words 9 minute read If you've met me (and even if you haven't) you probably know that I'm a huge fan of writing.  I've written a ton.  I'm currently co-writing story number 11 in a series of disability fiction with Tara.  These are the second set of writing questions that can be found at the link.  If you want to read the first set of writing questions: Interview Questions About Writing, you can find those at the second link. I'm going to use these questions to talk mostly about my series, which is not traditionally published, but which I will link to further down s ..read more

[Me, modeling a hat and resting in bed.] *** Every March, it's Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month and every March I open myself up to questions about CP. This year, I actually got some! *** How will my cerebral palsy will affect me later in life? 10 Things No One Tells You About Aging With CP *** How common is chronic pain with CP? A quick Google search says that 2/3 of adults with CP (or 66% of us) report chronic pain impacts us.  (Myself included ..read more

I got these from Rust Belt Girl because I'm a big reader, I'm always up for dicussing books. AUTHOR YOU’VE READ THE MOST FROM: Probably Ann M. Martin, to be honest. BEST SEQUEL EVER: Catching Fire. CURRENTLY READING: Know My Name - Chanel Miller, Mockingjay - Suzanne Collins, My Dark Vanessa - Kate Elizabeth Russell, Claudia and the Genius of Elm Street - Ann M. Martin DRINK OF CHOICE WHILE READING: Espresso Iced Coffee E-READER OR PHYSICAL BOOK: Kindle! [Tonia, contemplating a remote, a DVD and a copy of Little Women] FICTIONAL CHARACTER YOU PROBABLY WOULD HAVE ACTUAL ..read more

503 words 4 minute read I realized yesterday that it was Monday. And that it was the first Monday in a long time that I didn't post a blog.  Unfortunately, that may become common. But I wanted to come by and post an update. Most of you know by now, November is usually my busiest month.  This year, it seems, starting at Christmas, was my busiest time, and it's still continuing to be the case.  Starting in January, Tara helped post the latest post in the 13 Reasons Why Summer Series about Alex and Outbursts (which we love and are so proud of.  Please check it out if ..read more

1897 words 15 minute read Our final installment in the "I Can't" series comes from my longtime friend K. Be sure to check out her last answer, too, for some practical tips on how to encourage children while still allowing and respecting "I can't." Without further ado, here's what she has to say: *** Were you allowed to say “I can’t” when you were growing up? K:  It was definitely discouraged. My parents sometimes called me “Can Do Girl” because I said “I can do it” so often when someone offered help. That was a nickname I remember being proud of (and I love that my parents encou ..read more

799 words 6 minute read This week's "I Can't" post comes with no name but lots and lots of wisdom! I found myself nodding along to every answer, and I especially loved the response to the last question. Here's what this week's guest has to say: *** Were you allowed to say “I can’t” when you were growing up? ANON:  Generally, no. “I can’t” was treated as a swear word around me by doctors and physical therapists and other adults. From a young age, I was taught those words were not allowed to the point where I was reprimanded immediately or ignored for using them.  *** What do you ..read more