Vilissa Thompson, Author at Prism

stock color photograph of a Black woman therapist facing the camera with a client with shoulder-length black curly hair facing her

Why finding a therapist with a shared background has been my saving grace

by Vilissa Thompson July 29th, 2024July 29th, 2024

I made the decision in 2022 to seek out a therapist who looked like me. It was a landing spot I’d long yearned for—someone who could show up for me intentionally, a therapist who could relate to me as a multiply-marginalized Black person. I eventually found a therapist who could play this role in my […]

color photograph of a mid-life Black woman wearing jeans and a beige cardigan in a wheelchair

By exceeding my life expectancy, I’ve become a model for other Black disabled women

by Vilissa Thompson July 9th, 2024July 9th, 2024

digital collage on a dark purple background of a Black woman leaning forward in a wheelchair

Race

Creating an affirming space for Black disabled people

by Vilissa Thompson June 6th, 2024June 6th, 2024

color photograph of Beyoncé on stage in a gold and black sparkling body suit. she is squatting slightly and sings into a microphone

Disabled people deserve concert venues that ensure full accessibility

by Vilissa Thompson August 14th, 2023November 27th, 2023

digital collage on a dark purple background. a black woman with shoulder-length hair sits in a wheelchair while wearing a sunhat. she looks up at two hummingbirds hovering near three hanging flower planters that hold leafy plants and blooming flowers

Race

Reclaiming my joy through grief

by Vilissa Thompson July 19th, 2023July 19th, 2023

color photograph of a Black woman wearing a bright red zip-up and black pants sits in a wheelchair and travels up a sidewalk towards the camera

Race

My decision to be child-free had nothing to do with my disability

by Vilissa Thompson June 5th, 2023June 5th, 2023

stock color photograph of a Black woman in vibrant blue jeans and a green hoodie sitting in a wheelchair and holding a digital tablet

Race

Why do we fear sharing personal joy on social media?

by Vilissa Thompson May 12th, 2023May 11th, 2023

Disabled boy wearing face mask writing while sitting on his wheelchair in class

Gender & LGBTQIA+

Hostility to children in the US helps maintain an unjust status quo

by Vilissa Thompson March 1st, 2023May 3rd, 2023

Resolutions without flexibility or kindness can repeat ableist ideals

by Vilissa Thompson January 18th, 2023January 23rd, 2023

color photograph stock image of a black woman in a white and grey jacket and light blue jeans sitting in a wheelchair looking at her phone

Race

Twitter’s meltdown isn’t a punchline for disabled communities

by Vilissa Thompson January 6th, 2023January 23rd, 2023