Disabled and Proud

Brooke meets Rachel Charlton-Dailey, a writer and activist, to talk about their experiences and perspectives on disability. They discuss the importance of using the term "disabled" as an umbrella term that encompasses various disabilities, the impact of medical misogyny on disabled women, and the lack of guidelines in the media for writing about disability.

Rachel also shares their journey of embracing their disabilities and using their platform to raise awareness and advocate for change., highlighting the need for accurate and inclusive representation of disability in the media to challenge stereotypes and promote understanding. 

Rachel Charlton-dailey is a freelance journalist and campaigner specialising in disability rights and disability in media. She is a columnist for the daily mirror and the founder of the unwritten. Her first children’s book Ruby Hastings Writes Her Own Story is out with Harper Collins on January 8th

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• The media needs clear guidelines for writing about disability: The lack of guidelines in the media leads to inaccurate and harmful portrayals of disability. Clear guidelines would help educate writers and ensure more accurate and respectful representation.
• Disabled voices are often excluded: Disabled people are often left out of conversations and decision-making processes regarding disability. Their perspectives and experiences are crucial in shaping narratives and policies related to disability.
• Disability is often portrayed in extremes: Media narratives about disability tend to focus on extremes, either portraying disabled individuals as heroes who have overcome their disabilities or as helpless victims. This binary representation fails to capture the diverse experiences and realities of disabled people.
• Disability benefits are essential for leveling the playing field: Disability benefits, such as PIP (Personal Independence Payment), are crucial for addressing the extra costs and challenges that disabled individuals face. These benefits help level the playing field and provide necessary support.

BEST MOMENTS

"It's very interesting when particularly around disability is that people think you owe them an explanation of your disability... But more often than not it is that that people just expect everything from you... It comes down to people just being really nosy and thinking that they're entitled to know all of these things." 

"It's that reinforcement that we've had in society through media, through everything, through the way that we interact with disability. It starts literally when babies are in the womb... It's like, well, what if they're not healthy though? Are you going to change your mind about your baby when you discover that they're not healthy?" 

"The amount that this government just let disabled people die because they didn't care about us is like... I literally had to just go, no, I'm done here. I'm fucking done here." 

"It's just so much, so much of what we do is for, is supposed to fit into non-disabled life, that disabled narratives are missing so much... Disabled people think that they can tell them... I can always tell nine times out of ten when a non-disabled person has written a story about a disability."

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 welcomes guest Warren Stapley to discuss a wide range of topics, including disability, LGBTQ+ issues, and the importance of inclusive language. Warren shares his personal experiences as a person with a hearing impairment and his journey navigating the corporate world as a disabled individual.

They delve into the challenges faced by disabled children in school settings and the impact of internalised ableism. Warren also opens up about his decision to transition from a corporate career to working in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), where he now uses his unique perspective and intersectional lens to facilitate conversations and challenge societal norms. 

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• It's important to use accurate and respectful language when referring to disability. 
• There is an ongoing need for disability awareness and inclusion in educational settings.
• Warren reflects on his own journey of accepting and embracing his disability, and encourages others to challenge and overcome internalised ableism.
• Warren's experiences as a disabled person in the corporate world informed his decision to pursue DEI work, where he can leverage his differences and advocate for marginalised communities.
• There is a need to address racism and other forms of oppression within the DEI field, and a comprehensive approach to DEI that includes race, gender, disability, and other intersecting identities.

BEST MOMENTS

"I'm not a fan of this sort of narrative around differently abled, and I'm not a fan of calling my disability a superpower." 

"Less abled absolutely will not do. It's sending the message that you're not disabled, you're simply less than." 

"I think if someone outside of who was involved in it had consulted, you might have got a different answer and a different response."

"I was able to leverage certain privileges that I had, chiefly my whiteness and my maleness."

VALUABLE RESOURCES

https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/disabled-and-proud/id1621152878

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 welcomes Vicky Foxcroft, the Labour MP for Lewisham, Deptford, who shares her journey of being diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis later in life and how it has impacted her personal and professional life.

They discuss the complexities of identifying as disabled and the internalised ableism that often comes with invisible disabilities. Vicky also talks about her role as an MP and the challenges and rewards of advocating for disabled people in politics. 

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• There is an internal struggle in identifying as disabled and the societal biases surrounding disability. We must promote self-acceptance and challenge ableism.
• There is a great need for awareness and understanding of the various types of disabilities and their impact on individuals.
• As the Shadow Minister for Disabled People, Vicky advocates for the rights and needs of disabled individuals, including addressing issues such as accessibility, discrimination, and healthcare.
• Vicky encourages disabled individuals to get involved in politics and make their voices heard.

BEST MOMENTS

"I think it's always a really fascinating discussion, particularly when you're diagnosed with something, because I think it's a bit different than a physical disability." 

"I quite like saying that I'm disabled. I don't think there's a problem with that. And this is why I do what I do." 

"I always thought arthritis was like, 'Oh, your joints are a bit creaky.' But there are like hundreds of different types." 

"Disabled people really were impacted very, very differently to those who were non-disabled during the pandemic."

VALUABLE RESOURCES

https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/disabled-and-proud/id1621152878

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 welcomes Jordan Jarrett Bryan to discuss his experiences as a below-the-knee amputee, looking at topics such as the journey of learning to walk, and the impact of his disability on their childhood and teenage years.

They also explore the positive impact of Jordan's disability on his career, particularly in the media industry, touching on the importance of representation and Jordan's own production company, Blackademic, which aims to empower and provide opportunities for underrepresented voices in the media. 

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Being a below-the-knee amputee, has had a positive impact on his career. It opened doors for Jordan in the media industry, particularly in TV presenting, due to Channel 4's focus on hiring disabled talent for their Paralympics coverage.
• Jordan's experience as a below-the-knee amputee from a young age allowed him to adapt to his disability without having to relearn how to walk. This early adaptation made it easier for him to navigate his disability and participate in activities like sports.
• Jordan's positive experience with his disability during his childhood and teenage years can be attributed to the support and acceptance he received from his friends. While there were some instances of teasing, overall, his friends treated him no differently and he did not face significant negative experiences.
• Jordan's journey of accepting and embracing his disability has led him to redefine his understanding of what it means to be disabled. He now recognises that even though his disability may be less severe compared to others, it is still valid and he can use his platform and privilege to advocate for those who face more significant challenges.

BEST MOMENTS

"I think I was lucky in that it happening very early... If you're going to lose your leg, I'd rather lose it early than later." 

"The quality of it is not important... The quality is not important. That's where the BBC come in. They're saying, don't worry, we'll look after the lighting. We'll look after the sound." 

"So let's get the good, but let's broaden the net to find not just, you know, your Daves and your Johns who are white men."

"Representation is only half the job. I think it's more about implementation. What are those people actually doing?" 

VALUABLE RESOURCES

https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/disabled-and-proud/id1621152878

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 welcomes Lyndsay Watterson, who shares her journey of becoming an amputee and navigating life with a disability. They discuss the challenges of adjusting to a new identity, the impact of visible disabilities on social interactions, and the importance of finding a supportive community. 

Lyndsay also shares her experience of starting her own business, creating unique acrylic walking sticks, and how it has empowered her to embrace her disability and pursue new opportunities. The conversation delves into topics of body image, self-acceptance, and the power of resilience in overcoming adversity. 

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Lyndsay experienced a significant shift in their identity and body image after acquiring a disability, initially struggling with self-acceptance and the perception of others.
• Finding a supportive community of individuals with similar experiences was crucial for the Lyndsay's journey. She found solace and empowerment through connecting with other disabled individuals, particularly during their involvement in the Paralympics.
• Lyndsay's career trajectory changed after acquiring their disability. She had to navigate the challenges of finding employment as a disabled person and eventually started her own business, which allowed for flexibility and accommodation of her access needs.
• Lyndsay acknowledges that while there are difficult days, overall, she wouldn't change her life path and has found strength and resilience in all experiences.

BEST MOMENTS

"I just thought I'm strong enough. I'll deal with it. It'll be fine… I was on a high because of the Olympics." 

"I just thought they were looking at me and thinking, 'Thank God I'm not her.' That really cut deep." 

"I learned a lot about how much you can put your body through… I probably broke a lot as well." 

"We all have bad days, but it's not a bad life… One hot day doesn't make a summer." 

VALUABLE RESOURCES

https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/disabled-and-proud/id1621152878

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 welcomes Keron Day, an actor and disability advocate., to discuss the journey of embracing disability and using the term "disabled" proudly.

They delve into the importance of representation in film and TV, challenging ableist narratives, and creating a more inclusive and realistic portrayal of disabled people. Keron also talks about what it's like to work in the film and TV industry, highlighting the accessibility changes brought about by online platforms. 

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Disability representation in film and TV is crucial for creating a more inclusive and realistic narrative about disabled people.
• The journey to embracing and proudly identifying as disabled can be a process of unlearning ableist narratives and challenging societal perceptions.
• The film and TV industry is slowly starting to address access needs and the importance of having disabled individuals in key roles, both in front of and behind the camera.
• Disability is not a monolithic experience, and diversity within disability representation is essential to accurately reflect the disabled community.

BEST MOMENTS

"Diversity without disability is not diversity." 

"The exclusion of disabled people within film and TV perpetuates this idea that disabled people are other, disabled people are a very small minority that we can afford to ignore."

"Disability is not a monolith, it's very much an umbrella term for a whole multitude of different things." 

"Everyone's just human. Just speak to people like normal people and you're going to get so much better response."

VALUABLE RESOURCES

https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/disabled-and-proud/id1621152878

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 interviews Amanda Leduc, author of the book "Disfigured." They discuss Amanda's journey of self-acceptance as a disabled woman and how her perspective on disability has evolved over time. Amanda shares her experiences with cerebral palsy, chronic pain, and the impact of societal attitudes on disabled individuals. They delve into the themes explored in Amanda's book, including the representation of disability in fairy tales and the importance of disabled joy.

Amanda reflects on the process of writing the book and how it transformed her as a person. She also offers advice to her younger self and emphasises the significance of self-love and finding one's own worth. 

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Embracing disability identity: Amanda discusses how she came to acknowledge and embrace her disability as a significant part of her identity, rather than trying to hide or downplay it.

The power of storytelling: Amanda explores the connection between disability and fairy tales in her book, "Disfigured." She highlights how fairy tales have historically portrayed disability and how these narratives have shaped societal perceptions of disabled individuals.

The importance of disabled joy: Amanda emphasises the need to make space for disabled joy and happiness. She discusses the tendency to focus solely on the challenges and hardships faced by disabled individuals, but also highlights the importance of celebrating and acknowledging the joy that can be found within the disability experience.

Writing "Disfigured" transformed Amanda's own perspective and self-acceptance. She shares how the process of writing the book allowed her to confront and overcome insecurities and negative beliefs about herself and her disability. Through this journey, she learned to love and accept herself fully.

BEST MOMENTS

"I say that I have cerebral palsy…the more that I learned about disability in my 30s, the more that I really began to just acknowledge that it was a huge part of my identity and really just embrace it." 

"It's understanding where your place is, where you fit the most comfortably for you, and really trying to use that to your advantage and acknowledging that the journeys are going to be difficult for all of us." 

"I love what you talk about in terms of before we had the social model of disability, we had the medical model of disability. And then before we had the medical model of disability, what did we have? And that's something that Disfigured goes on to say." 

"I think what you've done with your book is really given a lot of different people, A, different perspectives, but also a real belonging, because so many people can relate to fairy tales…to be able to relate to them in a different way is so powerful." 

VALUABLE RESOURCES

Amanda Leduc - https://amandaleduc.com/

https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/disabled-and-proud/id1621152878

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 meets Kris Foster, who shares his personal journey as a disabled individual and his journey towards self-acceptance and self-love. He proudly identifies as autistic and has a form of Down syndrome called Arslaugh syndrome. Kris emphasises the importance of embracing one's disability and not letting it define them. He also discusses the need for unity within the disabled community and the power of collaboration to bring about change. 

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Disability is an umbrella term: Disability is an umbrella term that encompasses a wide range of conditions and experiences. 

There is huge importance in recognising one's worth and not letting society's perceptions define you.

Representation matters: The podcast highlights the significance of representation in media and society. It discusses the lack of representation of disabled people and the importance of creating spaces where disabled voices are heard and valued.

Kris shares his personal experiences of bullying, discrimination, and health challenges, highlighting the importance of resilience, setting goals, and not letting past experiences define one's future. 

BEST MOMENTS

"I'm proudly autistic. I proudly have a syndrome, it's a form of Down syndrome called Arslaugh syndrome." 

"We're in such a time right now where our difference is so significant and I think it's so empowering that why we do these have these conversations it's not just necessarily for the disabled community but on a wider audience for the non-disabled community to understand a little bit more about us." 

"I think the fact of the matter is the previous company that I worked for, I think they took one look at me and thinking, well, this disabled person doesn't know anyone. We can kind of palm him off, make him a fraudulent redundancy. But they don't realise that I have friends that are not disabled." 

"I started Open Book to encourage myself, not realising it was going to encourage hundreds, if not thousands of people worldwide." 

VALUABLE RESOURCES

https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/disabled-and-proud/id1621152878

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 welcomes writer and advocate Lucy Webster to discuss disability, activism, and journalism. They dive into various topics, including how they refer to their disabilities, the importance of access needs, and the pressure to share personal disability stories. They also explore their experiences as disabled individuals during childhood and the challenges they faced in school, as well as highlighting the lack of representation for disabled people in traditional media and the power of social media in creating a supportive disabled community. 

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Finding community is crucial for disabled individuals. Lucy emphasises the importance of connecting with other disabled people, as it can provide support, understanding, and a sense of belonging.
• Ableism and sexism often intersect and impact disabled women in unique ways. Lucy discusses how societal expectations of womanhood and motherhood can be exclusionary and discriminatory towards disabled women.
• Social media has played a significant role in changing the narrative around disability. It has provided a platform for disabled individuals to share their experiences, challenge stereotypes, and create a sense of representation that was previously lacking in traditional media.
• Ableism is pervasive and often goes unnoticed by non-disabled individuals. Lucy highlights the need for greater awareness and recognition of ableism in society, as well as the importance of calling it out and challenging it when encountered.

BEST MOMENTS

"I tend to just refer to myself as a power chair user because that's the thing that people need to know about access needs." 

"I think as disabled people, we're almost expected to just roll over and be like a public education service." 

"Teenagers are mean. I now know some great teenagers but personally I'm not one of them." 

"Disabled people are everywhere. I write about disability in the arts, in politics, in culture, in healthcare, in whatever, you name it, disabled people are there, I write about it." 

VALUABLE RESOURCES

Lucy Webster - https://lucy-webster.com/

https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/disabled-and-proud/id1621152878

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 meets Michael Grimmett, who shares his unique experiences and insights regarding topics such as how he refers to his disability as an impairment rather than being defined by it.

He reflects on his childhood, including attending mainstream school in Saudi Arabia and transitioning to an all-disabled person's school in the UK. Michael also talks about his career choices, which have been influenced by his disability and his passion for supporting others. He shares his journey of becoming an advocate for disability inclusion and providing disability training to companies. 

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Language is important: The use of language defines us as a society and organisation. It is crucial to choose words and phrases carefully, as they can have a significant impact on how disabled people are perceived and treated.
• Disability inclusion: Companies should strive for both accessibility and inclusion. Being accessible means providing physical accommodations, but true inclusion goes beyond that to create an environment where disabled people feel welcome, valued, and able to fully participate.
• The documentary mentioned in the podcast episode has sparked a divide within the disabled community. Different opinions and viewpoints exist, and it is important to have open and respectful discussions to understand different perspectives.
• Being organised is essential for disabled individuals. It helps in managing personal care, support staff, and other aspects of life. Having backup plans and being prepared for potential setbacks can make a significant difference in navigating daily challenges.

BEST MOMENTS

"I don't really want to be defined by whatever impairment I have. I'll be honest, I didn't even know anything about cerebral palsy until about 18, 20." 

"I think it is always fascinating when talking to people who have a disability, and then they choose their career to also be somehow related to disability." 

"I just think it's the choices that we have and I don't regret my, I don't, I think every bad choice you make, you kind of learn from it." 

"I think the whole disability thing is when I start my sessions, I start with language. And companies always say to me, why is that your biggest section? I think language defines you as a society or as an organisation." 

VALUABLE RESOURCES

https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/disabled-and-proud/id1621152878

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