We’re looking forward to introducing you to Nikki Diaz. Check out our conversation below.
Hi Nikki, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
My first 90 minutes are most critical of my day. I start with a quick heartfelt good morning and sincere gratitude to the God of my faith followed by a meticulous routine with my caregivers to get ready for my day. It’s not impressive of what most would consider productive nor the ‘norm’ of productivity but critical to my daily challenges as a disabled person. The results of my morning routine will dictate the functionality of my day. For me, if I’m set up with precision then I have access to what I like to call ‘my person-centered goals. Meaning any and all activities outside of the regular challenges I tackle to manage my physical disability. No task done for me nor done by me is small.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Nikki, Nikabilities is my brand – I am a Writer, Songwriter, Advocate for the disabled, and Model. I have a modest following on social media platforms Instagram and TikTok. My brand is about my life in all its abilities within my limitations. I am severely disabled with 2 neuromuscular diseases. I was born with Spinal Muscular Atrophy and 14 months ago I was diagnosed with Myasthenia Gravis. My goal is to be transparent with the world in whether I am struggling through a setback or pursuing my goals. I have spent all my existence in a wheelchair and recently had a near death experience just 13 months ago leaving me temporarily bedridden. There are easily 100 challenges I face every week and still within those extreme limits I pursue my hearts desires. Even apart from this last years’ experience, I’ve always been a person to seek out/chase my dreams. Whether it was riding in my power chair to sing at a gig or currently using my eye-tracking device to navigate my laptop so as I can get back to school and/or continue writing my books, my personality has always been ‘charge forward’ no matter what.
I love sharing this with the world around me. I believe what makes my brand unique is the proof of true strength of the human spirit. No matter the circumstances most people have it in them to battle all handicaps, whether it be emotional, physical, mental or just ‘self’, there’s really nothing we can’t do when we decide to move beyond our limitations. I pray the world is encouraged and motivated by what I share. My deep desire is for those who know me will come to a place where they realize their own limitations shouldn’t be the only definition to their story.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
What breaks the bonds between people is usually pride, in my humble opinion. More times than not pride is blinding and self-serving. We all have it, we all make snap judgements by it. Sometimes it’s brought on by pain from others and we believe sticking to our prideful conclusion protects us from more pain. If it’s pain we’ve caused ourselves then we usually hold onto pride because we’re too ashamed to reveal that it was our own faulty decision that caused us to behave in a hurtful way.
The restoring truth is forgiveness. It’s not as easy as accepting an apology or saying sorry to someone we’ve hurt. The painstaking factor is the work it takes to make something beautiful and long-lasting from something damaging. Each party should be transparent and honest and most importantly, provenly committed to change depending on the situation. Forgiveness takes work, self-evaluation and self-honesty. I know in my experiences with forgiveness I’ve been more rewarded when committing to my own growth which tremendously helped me take the focus off of the other person. When that happens results of freedom become our experience and the relationship either soars or the other party falls away naturally because they can’t exist in light, leaving you faultless. Life in God’s infinite ways can’t be changed when we commit to His equations.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
The one thing I would say to younger me is, ‘You’re not invisible sweetie. The world around you hasn’t opened their eyes yet.’
I grew up in an era where disabled persons were transitioning into notoriety. They were being recognized in the workforce, the entertainment industry, and were mainstreamed into public schools. I was one of the ones that got to be part of that history. At 6 years of age I was transferred out of an ‘all handicap’ school and mainstreamed into, what I remember it being called ‘a normal school’ where there was only one other student who was disabled. The transition was a bit of a shock for me because at my previous school I was a star student. At the new school there were so many barriers I faced between lack of access to my needs and relational deficiencies due to unawareness that I withdrew and my academia interest got lost in the translation. I truly was and felt invisible.
I carried that with me throughout my younger school years until I ventured out into my independence as a young adult. It was then that I experienced how kind people can be and how interested they were in getting to know my disability, my needs, and my real person. I then began to realize that my energy had to change and I could be myself. I could be vocal and fearless if I wanted to be heard, and so I was.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
That’s easy for me, writing. I’ve been writing creatively since I was 12 when I wrote my first song for, at that time, my best friend. It came natural and I knew immediately after that it was something I wanted to always do.
Since then I’ve recorded 10 songs and have journaled countless poems/short stories. But it wasn’t until I went through a life-changing crisis in 2015-2017 when I felt moved to write a book. In 2021 I began my book about my experience. I quickly became uncertain but, compelled to pursue, I joined a writer’s catalyst group formed by an organization called Greenhouse Arts & Media founded by my friend/editor Shun Lee Fong and under the directorship of Sheryl Anderson (writer of Sweet Magnolias, Charmed). Here is where I learned about myself as a writer and got to witness challenges and techniques of accomplished writers. But more than anything I saw how my writing could impact others and this is where I felt I received my passage to be a published author. As I’ve stated earlier, my hope is to encourage people in a positive way and becoming an author is a creative skill that fits within that scope. I have several writing projects in the process right now, but that particular book and its completion beckons to me daily, I will finish it.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people will testify to the integrity of the love I shared. That my character and lifestyle were a positive and influential match and a testament of my strong faith in Christ. I’m not the church going Christian most people are accustomed to defining as religious. My faith is more of the spiritual type, I lean into prayer, belief and love. Vertical love from above then give horizontally is my practice. I am firm that relationship is our main order of business on this earth. If we’re not having a personal relationship with Him, how well are we having it with each other?
I work everyday on all my relationships. Albeit family, friends or even employees, everyone matters greatly to me. I have just as many imperfections as the next person, but in my situation I cannot get by without people. I learned early on that if I don’t cultivate those connections, how will I be at peace with myself? Christ shared that same intent, friends have given me that same type of love, it was only inevitable that I give way to the purpose of living for love.
When I go I hope my life, my relationships, my creative works leave an irrefutable truth that will help others find their strengths, remove the fears that keep them from loving unabashedly.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://nikabilities.wixsite.com/website?fbclid=PAT01DUAND8g5leHRuA2FlbQIxMAABpxairzprk9_kgWEZdSrqniC_oRlcvqRAyq0LivrosBZmZkbaYp8RUHE4O3EY_aem_yMzr_euwxyD1Lk2NPFJZjw
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nikabilities?igshid=NzZlODBkYWE4Ng%3D%3D
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/nday8?utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@nikki_luv2?_t=8glgmfpitbo&_r=1&fbclid=PAT01DUAND8mdleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABpxMjMRH-5HwcWZ6kn1hHf1xn64UsuQ3rKaT3MOnTSR2D3VnbLYHl-4aD7qd4_aem_zYoPM9pF-93fatGxsYbhMw
Image Credits
Photos by: Karman Krucshke, Nikki Diaz
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
