Clara who has EDS and is a wheelchair user talks to Brooke about the journey to getting diagnosed and why her disability is a part of who she is but not what defines her as an individual

She chats about modelling, disabled representation and being part of the change for inclusivity, seeing people like yourself in a positive space and being seen

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• It’s a management process, pacing your time and activities along with managing expectations
• The process of diagnosis can be very difficult and there were missed opportunities. It was a game changer when a doctor really listened to what I had to say
• After the diagnosis, there was the realisation and mourning that I wasn’t going to get better
• Society thinks that if you are disabled they are entitled to your medical history
• Modelling was a great catalyst for other things and my way is to show them what I can do
• You can shout and make a lot of noise but sometimes just doing is a better avenue as you look outwards
• I’ve had to create boundaries for my own well-being
• Know what works for you and that you will have an amazing life and if you can’t see it, be it, the possibilities are endless
• Manifest what you want in your life and aim for the universe

BEST MOMENTS

‘There are many different levels of things that you have to factor in for your life’

‘It was learning and mourning at the same time’

‘It’s become part of who I am, but it’s not who I am’

‘I’m a ‘busting the door down’ type of girl’

VALUABLE RESOURCES

Disabled & Proud Podcast

ABOUT THE HOST

Disabled and Proud is the show that brings listeners a different perspective on disability. Each week this podcast highlights an awesome disabled guest speaking about their own disability; why they are proud to be disabled and why they are proud to be themselves. 

The conversations in this show will look at what challenges these amazing people face socially, mentally, physically and life in general. This show is raw, open, honest, funny, welcoming and educational. 

Disabled & Proud does exactly what it says on the tin! And whilst we are creating this space for disabled people to be unashamedly themselves, without need to conform to society, this is also not about toxic positivity. This show will be shining a big, bright light on disability without it being “Paralympic or pity”. 

As you will hear disability is WHOLE, COMPLETE & PERFECT and whilst the topic of disability can be quite heavy - and we definitely don't shy away from the bad days - this podcast is also about having fun too! Our aim is to play a part in reclaiming the word disability - turning it from inadequacy to perfection!

INSTAGRAM! https://www.instagram.com/disabledandproudpodcast/?hl=en: https://www.instagram.com/disabledandproudpodcast/?hl=en