Hawk’s-Eye View – Hawken Miller

As I’ve started relying more on people for things I used to do on my own, it’s become easier to ask for help without feeling like a burden. This toxic thought has been a challenging mental hurdle, but it’s one we all deserve to get over. With compassion,…

The world can be overwhelming thanks to the deadly coronavirus pandemic, especially for someone dealing with muscular dystrophy. On top of the daily struggles — lack of mobility, physical exhaustion, and steroid-related side effects — there’s also the worry of getting sick and feeling the virus’s financial…

When I was younger, I couldn’t imagine losing my ability to get up from the ground, run, or play soccer. Now I can’t imagine losing my ability to walk.  At 23, I’m still able to walk despite having Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and I’m incredibly thankful for…

I like to think I’m pretty funny, at least that is until I work up the courage to say something in a conversation. A lot of my humor has to do with my disability. Making a few wheelchair jokes here and there makes people uncomfortable, but it helps…

In the disabled community, many people discuss the negative implications of being called “inspiring.” Some have said it’s objectifying, reduces our humanness, or congratulates us just for being disabled.  I agree with many of those statements; however, if I am helping a person work past their…

For a long time, I didn’t think journalism was a creative endeavor. I viewed the craft from an analytical perspective. After all, I was just recounting my firsthand experience publishing interviews and translating research. It wasn’t until recently — when I began reading the book “…

My parents tried to shield me as long as they could from data that revealed the average life expectancy of patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Once I grew older and more curious, I finally came across those numbers, and they scared me. I…

When I started my Twitch channel in February, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I became quite familiar with the video game streaming platform through journalism, and finally worked up the courage to start. In the four months since then, I’ve learned about starting a small business, branding, design,…

Joy is one of the best tools we have to combat the progressive loss of our physical abilities. It’s an emotion that helps us triumph over our negative feelings. I wouldn’t be where I am today if I didn’t live a life of joy. What exactly is joy? The emotion…

COVID-19 has forced families around the world to stay indoors and spend a lot more time together. This will not change for quite a while, especially for those of us with chronic conditions who need extra protection. As I wrote in my previous column,…

I’ve always sought silver linings, including in this season of social distancing. Many people now exclusively use technology to communicate with family, friends, and co-workers to reduce viral spread. Instead of hanging out at inaccessible places, people connect from the comfort of home. Self-quarantine has yielded plenty of valid complaints,…

This week, I celebrate my one-year anniversary of writing columns for BioNews Services. A lot has happened in that year: I graduated from college, interned at The Washington Post, and secured a full-time newswriting position at BioNews. I’ve laughed a…