Event Recap —Diversability Unplugged: Deconstructing Ableism & Inspiration
Last week Diversability was proud to present our second Unplugged event of the 2021 season featuring five prominent disability activists and community figures for an in-depth conversation about ableism and inspiration culture.
For anyone living with a disability (visible or not), ableism is a fact of life. And there are many daily things all of us do that perpetuate a culture of ableism. From direct discrimination and harmful action, to the more subtle micraggressions from well-meaning people and internalized narratives we tell ourselves, we as disabled people face a myriad of messages that being disabled is a “bad” thing. And with the dawn of “Inspiration Porn”, a term coined by the late Stella Young, ableism hidden behind the guise of showcasing our resilience and strength, we are faced with the growing question: how do we live and thrive in an ableist culture? And how do we change it?
This event served as an opportunity for community leaders and members alike to join together in a discussion centered around these very questions and more as we push forward towards meaningful change and allyship in the fight for a more equitable and accessible future for us all.
Panelists
Daniel Hodges - Daniel Hodges is a JD candidate at the University of Baltimore School of Law. After graduating from Western Governors University with a BA in education, Daniel decided to pursue a law degree so he could more effectively advocate for those with disabilities. His perspective is shaped by a lifetime of overcoming the obstacles and low expectations associated with being blind and having a congenital connective tissue disorder. While in school, Daniel and his cofounder began the process of creating Peaces of Me Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to erasing the stigma surrounding disability and chronic illness. In the last year, POMF has grown from an intriguing idea to a 501(c)(3) organization with an international reach. His passion for collaboration and inclusivity, along with his vision for a brighter future for all, are reflected in the organization that he leads.
Haben Girma - The first Deafblind person to graduate from Harvard Law School, Haben Girma is a human rights lawyer advancing disability justice. President Obama named her a White House Champion of Change. She received the Helen Keller Achievement Award, a spot on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list, and TIME100 Talks. President Bill Clinton, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and Chancellor Angela Merkel have all honored Haben. Haben believes disability is an opportunity for innovation, and she teaches organizations the importance of choosing inclusion. The New York Times, Oprah Magazine, and TODAY Show featured her memoir, Haben: The Deafblind Woman Who Conquered Harvard Law.
Jacob Pacheco - ProneToRide was created by professional athlete Jacob Pacheco with a mission to empower others to discover their best. Jacob Pacheco was born with Cerebral Palsy and he successfully thrives despite any challenges. Throughout Jacob's life, he's faced incredible adversity including bullying, medical setbacks, abuse, clinical depression, and even told he would be "incapable" of walking after the age of 16. Despite this Jacob turned disability and adversity into opportunity. Against the odds Jacob has proven YOU can prevail and discover fulfillment despite challenges. Now, Jacob is a TEDx Speaker, Content Creator, Entrepreneur, and Pro-Adaptive Surfer. ProneToRide is the result of commitment through adversity to discover your best and keep charging forward! Jacob brings his platform "ProneToRide" to your doorstep and inspires YOU to keep charging for your dreams and goals!
Carly Findlay - Carly Findlay OAM is an award-winning writer, speaker and appearance activist. Her first book, a memoir called Say Hello, was released in January 2019. Carly edited the anthology Growing Up Disabled in Australia with Black Inc Books. It’s in stores now. She writes on disability and appearance diversity issues for news outlets including the ABC, The Age and Sydney Morning Herald and SBS. In 2020, Carly Findlay received a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for her work as a disability advocate and activist. She was named one of Australia’s most influential women in the 2014 Australian Financial Review and Westpac 100 Women of Influence Awards. She has appeared on ABC TV’s You Can’t Ask That and Cyberhate with Tara Moss, and has been a regular on various ABC radio programs. She has spoken at the Melbourne Writers Festival, the University of Western England and Melbourne University – to name a few. She organised the history-making Access to Fashion – a Melbourne Fashion Week event featuring disabled models. She has a Masters of Communication and Bachelor of eCommerce. Carly identifies as a proud disabled woman – she lives with a rare, severe skin condition, ichthyosis. She organised Australia’s first Ichthyosis meet in 2015 – bringing together 75 people affected by the rare, severe skin condition Ichthyosis. 25 attendees had Ichthyosis. Friendships and support networks were formed.
Wes Hamilton -Wesley Hamilton was born and raised on the east side of Kansas City, MO, where it was difficult for a young African American male to find opportunity outside of the streets. By age 16, he became too much for his mother to handle (which was a common lifestyle for kids in his neighborhood) and moved out on his own. At age 22, he became a father to his daughter, Nevaeh.
Two years later, at only 5-foot-4 and 230-pounds, Wes was non-athletic and vastly overweight as a single father, working full-time and had just won sole custody of daughter. But only 5 days after his 24th birthday (January of 2012), everything changed dramatically. As he was walking back to his car, Wes was shot multiple times, with one bullet slicing through his chest and fracturing a rib. The other entered his abdomen, partially severing his spine and paralyzing him below the waist. The shooter was a guy he’d never met.
Wes spent the next three years in recovery, which included two of those years fighting the severe emotional depression that arose from his belief that his life would forever be bedeviled by medications, surgeries and limitations.
Wes knew he had to set an example for Nevaeh. He started a fitness and nutrition regiment, which was completely foreign to him. Wes learned everything he could about nutrition and developed excellent culinary skills. In that first year, Wes lost 100 pounds. He felt his transformation had the potential to help others and so he founded a non-profit called, Disabled But Not Really (DBNR).
Wes has spent the past four years being recognized as a role-model in the Crossfit Community, winning a number of bodybuilding competitions, even being featured in Men’s Health Magazine climbing a rope with his wheelchair. Wes transformed yet again when working with the Fab Five on Season 4 of the Netflix hit show, Queer Eye, who taught him how to be true to himself, leaving him humbled by the experience.
In March 2021, CNN recognized Wesley Hamilton as an official CNN Hero.
Topics
Our host Katherine Lewis began with a brief introduction of the evening’s theme, each panelist, and the Diversability organization and its mission. The remainder of the event consisted of a guided discussion with panelists who gave insights based on a series of targeted questions. This was followed by a short question & answer session, giving attendees an opportunity to ask their own personal questions of panelists.
Following the theme of the event, questions for panelists centered around two categories: ableism and inspiration culture.
Ableism
Panelists were asked a series of questions designed to provide perspective into how ableism affects each individual uniquely, its impact on our communities at large, and how it manifests often without our even realizing it. Each told a story of the first time they knew ableism existed and its impact on their personal journey with disability. Several shared their thoughts on the role of accessibility in the effort to create inclusive spaces for disabled people, and each agreed that although there is a sentiment that accessibility is the key, it is in fact only a small part of necessary action towards that end.
Inspiration Culture
We next moved into another focus of the event - inspiration culture. Katherine began this portion with a brief introduction to what inspiration culture is for those who may not be aware before moving on to discussion. Panelists had an array of comments about inspiration culture. Most notably was a discussion on misplaced allyship and our need as a community to make room for the imperfect ally. They then answered with poise a difficult question about the double-edged nature of Inspiration Culture. Often it is IC itself that gives community leaders the platform, through social media followings, press, etc. to be advocates and make meaningful impacts to large numbers. Each panelist spoke to how they grapple with that fact and how they choose to use it as a tool for good, while still recognizing the nature of the beast.
Final Thoughts
It was an honor to share a space with such notable leaders and advocates as our panelists this month. The conversation surrounding ableism, inspiration, and allyship is a significant one as our community continues to grow and be more vocal for change. It is by hosting events like this one that we hope to empower more community members to ask the tough questions, advocate for one another, and create actionable steps towards a more inclusive and accessible society for us all.