Vilissa Thompson

Vilissa Thompson, LMSW, is a contributing writer covering gender justice at Prism. A macro social worker from South Carolina, she is an expert in discussing the issues that matter to her as a Black disabled woman. Follow her on X @VilissaThompson.

Vilissa Thompson writes about

Bodies, Gender & Health State Power Bodies, Gender & Health Bodies, Gender & Health State Power Bodies, Gender & Health Culture, Media & Education Culture, Media & Education State Power Culture, Media & Education State Power Bodies, Gender & Health State Power State Power Culture, Media & Education Land, Labor & Extraction Bodies, Gender & Health State Power Culture, Media & Education State Power Bodies, Gender & Health State Power Bodies, Gender & Health State Power State Power Land, Labor & Extraction State Power Bodies, Gender & Health State Power Bodies, Gender & Health State Power Bodies, Gender & Health State Power Bodies, Gender & Health State Power Land, Labor & Extraction State Power Bodies, Gender & Health State Power Bodies, Gender & Health State Power Land, Labor & Extraction State Power Bodies, Gender & Health

Are you misbehaving in your parasocial relationships?

Vilissa Thompson
Young disabled African American woman in wheelchair at home watching at her smartphone.

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

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

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

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

Creating an affirming space for Black disabled people

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

Disabled people deserve concert venues that ensure full accessibility

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

Reclaiming my joy through grief

Vilissa Thompson
digital collage on a dark purple background. a black woman with shoulder-length hair sits in a wheelchair while wearing a sun

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

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

Why do we fear sharing personal joy on social media?

Vilissa Thompson
stock color photograph of a Black woman in vibrant blue jeans and a green hoodie sitting in a wheelchair and holding a digita

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

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

Resolutions without flexibility or kindness can repeat ableist ideals

Vilissa Thompson
Resolutions without flexibility or kindness can repeat ableist ideals

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

Vilissa Thompson
color photograph stock image of a black woman in a white and grey jacket and light blue jeans sitting in a wheelchair looking

Navigating the pandemic is only one of the hazards disabled people face when flying

Vilissa Thompson
color photograph of a black woman sitting in a wheelchair, taken from a side-front angle. the frame is close, only showing pa