As a young woman diagnosed with Olliers disease, I was often confronted with environments filled with teasing, exclusion, and judgement, deeply ingrained in societal and ableist norms. Reflecting on those experiences, I now understand that I was more focused on proving my capabilities to others rather than confronting the more formidable challenge of overcoming internalized ableism. My journey towards embracing my identity within the disability community required a conscious effort to develop a genuine relationship with my condition. By allowing myself to be vulnerable and truthful, I discovered a more holistic expression of who I am. This realization led me to see that being disabled encompasses far more than societal labels, but evolving into an experience and culture that I proudly accept and celebrate.
In my current work, I am deeply committed to promoting disability identity. This commitment has been significantly enhanced through partnerships with esteemed professional organizations such as NYU Langone, and Positive Exposure. My public speaking engagements have allowed me to directly impact young minds. These collaborations have provided me the platforms to encourage youths to participate in open dialogue and foster a meaningful relationship with their disabilities. |