Many parents of children with disabilities or chronic illnesses use social media to share information and connect with others, but when does this go too far? In Episode 22 of Legally Blonde & Blind, Marissa discusses issues surrounding representation and consent when sharing a child’s disability on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, or other social media platforms. Tune in to learn why “raising awareness” and “inspiring others” is often not as straightforward or impactful as mommy bloggers believe.

“My fear is that when parents take up so much space on social media, they send the message that people need to speak for us, that we can’t share our own stories.”

Connect with Blonde & Blind!

Website  - https://www.blondeblind.com/ 

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/blondeblindgirl/ 

Facebook - https://m.facebook.com/legallybb/?locale=sq_AL 

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blonde-blind 

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJz_ng0bHVm0s33plEl5Kpg 
X - https://twitter.com/marissa_nissley

Key Points:

0:00 - Introduction!

1:05 - Why did I decide to make this episode?

2:25 - Why do parents share about their child’s disability on social media?

6:55 - Issues Surrounding Informed Consent

11:39 - Issues Surrounding “Raising Awareness”

12:18 - Inspiration Porn

13:50 - Exotification and Objectification

15:20 - Amplifying our Differences

16:50 - Not Everyone Needs to be an Ambassador

18:00 - Centering Parents

18:49 - What should parents do?

Resources & Transcript - https://www.blondeblind.com/post/22-before-posting-about-your-child-s-disability-listen-to-this