Journeys
“I see you and your experience matters” - How Sarah Thomas redefines resilience
To celebrate Disability Pride Month, Clinton National Airport is featuring Sarah Thomas of Little Rock, whose journey and work champion inclusion, visibility and the diverse experiences of people with disabilities.
Thomas is a yoga instructor, wellness ambassador and author of Chair Yoga for Multiple Sclerosis and Chronic Pain. She also lives with multiple sclerosis, a chronic neurological condition that has reshaped how she moves through the world.
“Living with MS has profoundly transformed how I navigate the world physically, emotionally and spiritually,” she said. “Once simple tasks [such as] showering, taking a walk or attending a yoga class can now feel unpredictable and, at times, overwhelming.”
Rather than step back, Thomas embraced what she calls radical adaptability.
“Some days, I find joy and freedom hanging in an aerial hammock, defying gravity in my way,” she said. “Other days, I tap into my competitive spirit, playing tennis, sometimes slower, sometimes shorter, but always fierce. I no longer judge success by consistency but by presence.”
Thomas believes that wellness should be built around how people feel in the moment, not assumptions or expectations, and that small choices can make a lasting impact. Her work focuses on offering inclusive, accessible tools for those living with chronic pain or mobility limitations.
“When connecting with someone who lives with a disability, it’s important to lead with curiosity, compassion and respect,” she said. “It starts with truly listening without assumptions. Every person’s experience is unique, and the most meaningful way to support us is by offering options, not limitations.”
Simple gestures, like offering someone the choice between seated or standing yoga or incorporating chair-based meditation into a class, can foster inclusion.
“These choices don’t just accommodate physical needs; they communicate dignity, inclusion and understanding,” Thomas said. “They say, I see you and your experience matters.”
She emphasizes that supporting people with disabilities isn’t about pity or fixing, it’s about creating space for individuality and agency.
“When you lead with empathy and flexibility, you help foster a world where everyone feels empowered to show up fully as themselves,” she said.
Her book offers a series of illustrated, chair-based yoga and mindfulness practices that meet people where they are physically, emotionally and spiritually. Thomas calls it a companion for anyone seeking empowerment in their health journey.
Disability Pride Month represents a shift in mindset, Thomas said, adding that “disability is a form of diversity, and it asks us to see differences in ability not as deficits but as a natural part of the human experience.”