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In this very special edition of thew show, Brooke takes you through a compilation of discussions from various disabled individuals sharing their personal experiences and perspectives on disability. The guests talk about their journeys to diagnosis, the challenges they faced, and the societal perceptions of disability. They touch on topics such as identity, ableism, intersectionality, and the pressure to be extraordinary as a disabled person.
The conversations highlight the importance of self-acceptance, challenging ableist norms, and the need for diverse representation within the disabled community. Through candid and introspective dialogues, the episode sheds light on the complexities and nuances of living with a disability, emphasising the value of individual stories and the diversity of experiences within the disabled community.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
BEST MOMENTS
"I think ADHD, especially is like, the name of it just doesn't even kind of, it's not even accurate, really at all, like attention deficit hyperactivity disorder."
"I think for me, and especially like in the last couple of years, just like reaching out to more people in the community and like, finding literature and books written by us, this community, I started to realise, okay, a lot of the language that I had that was such negative self-talk, so bad and down on myself, is not something that exists just naturally."
"I love the fact that actually for you coming to terms with disability meant that you realised ableism was so embedded in society because I think a lot of people don't seem to realise that the vast majority of our views or our notions surrounding disability all actually boil down to ableism."
"I think that, especially as Again, like I started to see that representation, like I'd see people on the Ellen show and like, you know, all these like talk shows and I'm like, okay, this is amazing."
VALUABLE RESOURCES
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/disabled-and-proud/id1621152878
HOST BIO
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 the 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
Brooke is joined by Gavin Neate, the founder of WelcoMe, and who has been working in the disability sector, to discuss his passion for supporting disabled individuals.
Gavin shares his experiences working with Guide Dogs for the Blind and the inspiration behind his innovative tool, aimed at improving accessibility for disabled people in various businesses. They delve into the importance of equity in experiences for disabled individuals, the impact of Welcome on both disabled people and businesses, and the challenge of proving the existence of the Purple Pound in the business world.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
BEST MOMENTS
"It's almost like this whole hub. And it's crazy. And it's intense. You get to speak to people and meet people and something someone said to me at nadex was this idea of referring to people as pre-disabled."
"I just want to remove the barriers, which is what WelcoMe does"
"We need to get strength from other people. And I totally understand that, but until we get past that and start welcoming other people into our groups, we're not, all we're going to be seeing is a minority promoting our minority need."
VALUABLE RESOURCES
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/disabled-and-proud/id1621152878
ABOUT THE GUEST
Gavin Neate developed WelcoMe whilst working for Guide Dogs for the Blind as Mobility Instructor, in answer to the question, "Wouldn't it be easier if staff had access to disability awareness training immediately prior to a disabled person arriving?". In 2015 he left Guide Dogs and started his own technology company in order to come up with a solution. Although Gavin is currently non disabled he is acutely aware that one day he and others who who don't engage with disability issues will be, and is on a mission to engage them, and raise universal awareness of disability and the lives of disabled people.
HOST BIO
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 the 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
To celebrate 100 episodes of the podcast Brooke is here with a solo episode reflecting on the origins of the podcast and the importance of disability representation.
Brooke shares her personal journey of growing up as the only physically disabled person in her family and the challenges she faced in society's perception of disability. She discusses the impact of social media on changing the narrative around disability and highlights the diverse conversations she has had with guests on the podcast. Brooke also answers questions from listeners, revealing her surprise at the positive reception of the podcast and the impactful conversations that have challenged her own views on disability.
Finally, there's a big giveaway to celebrate the milestone, showcasing items from disabled business owners.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
BEST MOMENTS
"I knew from a really young age that I had to be okay with my disability, because if I wasn't okay with my disability, other people were going to find it a bit difficult."
"No two people in the disabled world are the same. No two people in the world are the same."
"I think having those conversations with people who might be right at the very beginning of their journey or who have been in this journey for years and years and years and just still aren't necessarily there is always really interesting."
"I think they're the most impactful conversations when it's completely different to my point of view."
"I'm always really surprised when people open up to these conversations with open arms and listen and I'm always like I love it so much when people send messages in saying that this podcast has impacted them like powerfully."
VALUABLE RESOURCES
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/disabled-and-proud/id1621152878
HOST BIO
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 the 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
Brooke is joined by the amazing Jason, a disabled artist, who shares his journey of acquiring a disability and how it transformed his life. Jason discusses his experiences growing up in a working-class family, becoming disabled at a young age, and the challenges he faced in the care system.
Despite the difficulties, Jason's resilience and sense of humour shine through as he navigates the art world and advocates for disability rights. The conversation delves into the importance of kindness, humour, and activism in the face of adversity.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
BEST MOMENTS
"I became disabled as well in 1980, which was apparent. I was told as well that it was the best year to become disabled because it was the international year of disability."
"There's so much to be said from creating art, particularly from pain points in our life. And I think that it's really laudable for you to almost put that on display, because even though it might not look exactly how it was, you know, it's not like it's realism."
"I always say, when I became disabled, it was a transformative experience. So very working class background, like I said, not much money, but I was introduced to education in a big way."
VALUABLE RESOURCES
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/disabled-and-proud/id1621152878
HOST BIO
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 the 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
Brooke is joined by special guest, Lydia, to discuss her journey as an autistic individual and author, shedding light on the challenges faced by disabled individuals in society.
She talks about her experience with multiple disabilities, including autism and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on her health. Lydia shares insights on the lack of understanding and support for hidden disabilities, emphasising the need for inclusive and accessible resources. She delves into the creation of her Autism Friendly Cookbook, highlighting the importance of making cooking accessible for individuals with diverse needs, and touches on the complexities of inclusivity and the limitations of trying to cater to every aspect of neurodiversity.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
BEST MOMENTS
"Disabled people are not your free resource. we don't it's just this idea of I still have people who come up to me complete strangers who go oh what happened to you because they don't they don't have the language to talk with nuance."
"Everything has an opposite. So the opposite of inclusion is exclusion."
"It was published in November 2022. It's since won two awards at the Gore, I think it's pronounced the Gorman Awards. It's gone viral on TikTok. It's now a pilot course that I'm teaching down in Sussex."
VALUABLE RESOURCES
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/disabled-and-proud/id1621152878
HOST BIO
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 the 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
Brooke is joined by guest, Luis Canto, who discusses his experiences with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and the challenges he faced growing up in South Africa. Luis shares his journey of diagnosis, medical treatments, and the societal perceptions of disability in both South Africa and the UK. He emphasises the importance of equity over equality in providing support for individuals with disabilities and highlights the need for empowerment and advocacy within the disabled community.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
BEST MOMENTS
"I think the NHS gets a lot of flak, but there is a lot of positive things that the NHS does for the UK."
"It's about giving people what they need and not saying, well, we're giving everyone this, because that's what we're supposed to be."
"I think that the reason why I do what I do is I just want to make sure that everyone just has the best start in life or at least the best opportunity in life to do what they want to do."
"And just to put into context how close we are to that, recently, and I'm talking two weeks ago, so we're in February now, about two weeks ago, Bristol Council had... they would lock you away."
VALUABLE RESOURCES
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/disabled-and-proud/id1621152878
HOST BIO
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 the 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
Brooke is joined by Abbie, who shares her journey as a disabled woman with cerebral palsy in the film and TV industry. She discusses her experiences growing up with hemiplegia, a type of cerebral palsy affecting one side of her body, and talks about the challenges she faced in school, the lack of support from medical professionals, and her journey towards self-acceptance and confidence.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
BEST MOMENTS
"I have cerebral palsy. The two default responses I get are 'What's that?' or 'Oh, my mum's cousin's mate has that and you don't look the same as them.'"
"I think little me would be proud of bigger me now for all the stuff I've done and the fact that I'm not hiding anymore."
"I think something that has really helped me, particularly in the last couple of years, is finding my community as well, like finding other people with lived experience who are a similar age to me."
VALUABLE RESOURCES
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/disabled-and-proud/id1621152878
HOST BIO
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 the 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
Brooke engages in a candid discussion with special guest Nick Wilson about his journey with disability, exploring topics such as self-identity, mental health, and the challenges of navigating a world that is often inaccessible.
Through an authentic and frank discussion, they aim to promote inclusivity, understanding, and positivity within the disabled community, via a heartfelt and enlightening exploration of disability and resilience.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
BEST MOMENTS
"I think the biggest thing that I am proud of myself is how I've learned to be a better person."
"I've seen the beauty of kindness, of gratitude, of belief, of community support, of true love from a stranger to a stranger."
"I'm incredibly humbled, honoured. I can't find a word for when I get a message and they say, just listening to your story or you just saying this truth helps."
"There's a lot to be said in being able to hold space for other people from a place of experience, and not just saying something for the sake of it."
VALUABLE RESOURCES
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/disabled-and-proud/id1621152878
HOST BIO
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 the 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
Brooke is joined by Ashley Young, one of the stars of 2023 mega-hit, Barbie, to share personal stories and insights on topics such as disability, motherhood, relationships, and representation in the media. Ashley and Brooke highlight the importance of resilience, determination, and self-acceptance in the face of societal challenges, and embark upon a conversation that is both enlightening and empowering, offering a fresh perspective on navigating life with a disability.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Resilience and determination are key traits that help us to navigate rejection and challenges in their lives.
Representation in media for individuals with disabilities is limited and often focuses on simplistic portrayals, such as amputees or wheelchair users.
Dealing with online hate and inappropriate messages, especially from devotees, has been a common and distressing experience for many with disabilities in media.
It's vital to set boundaries and not engage with inappropriate behaviour, whether online or in person.
BEST MOMENTS
"I think my main goal in life, and I've always said this, is to kind of pave a way for the younger kids who have limb differences."
"I feel like rejection is something that teaches you something in the end. Maybe it's a good thing. Maybe it just wasn't for me."
"I think resilience and determination kind of come hand in hand with disability, particularly if you've been a disabled child."
"I'm not like a mom influencer kind of in any way. I try and keep my child off the internet because it's already weird for children."
VALUABLE RESOURCES
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/disabled-and-proud/id1621152878
HOST BIO
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 the 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
Brooke talks to Chris Lynch about topics such as language, the social model, childhood experiences, and the impact of disability on career choices.
Brooke and Chris speak openly and honestly, reflecting on their journey of self-acceptance and navigating the challenges of disability. They also address broader societal issues, emphasising the need for education and inclusion to create a more accepting and accessible world.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
BEST MOMENTS
"I think one of the things where, especially my whole thought process in really analysing this has been from a place of the difference that I have with my disability over others and the considerations that I have to make in terms of my own safety."
"Kids are naturally so curious."
VALUABLE RESOURCES
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/disabled-and-proud/id1621152878
HOST BIO
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 the 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
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