Podcast Recap: Diversability Amplified Episode 1
In July, we launched our podcast Diversability Amplified, a podcast for people with disabilities and their allies seeking to join our movement to make disabled voices heard. We host honest, bold conversations about life with disability, our diverse disability community, and what it means to be an advocate in today’s world.
For our first episode, we teamed up with five community members to celebrate Disability Pride Month through personal stories and perspective. Host Katherine Lewis and our guests shared an in-depth conversation about the journey of becoming #PridefullyDisabled, unique ways they each embrace their disabilities, and how others can support the movement.
Guests included:
Chris Mitchell
Shannon Thompson
Tylia Flores
Molly Wiesman
Kim Totolo
You can listen to the podcast here or watch it on Youtube.
Transcript
Hello everyone, I am Katherine Lewis from the Diversability team, and we are so excited to be hosting our very first podcast episode of diverse ability, Amplified, that is our newest podcast and we are so excited to be featuring five community members today as part of our huge celebration for Disability Pride Month. So, before we get started I want each of you to introduce yourselves to our guests, and then we will get started. Again, I am Katherine Lewis. I am a Caucasian woman long dark black hair, and I am sitting in front of a bookshelf, and a music decor So, Chris, can you introduce yourself first. If I can and I will. Hi my name is Chris Mitchell, I am sitting in front of a beautiful virtual background that has a big blue sky and hot air balloons, because we rise over our challenges in our lives. I'm wearing a white baseball cap, white polo shirt. I am a Caucasian male and I have hair, the color of gray which I hate admitting but it's the truth.
Molly, can you please introduce yourself.
Yes, my name is my Irish.
Moses on magazine which is a.
Since there's I rarely Caucasian woman. By God, who has classes.
Thank you Shannon Can you introduce yourself. Hi. Yes, my name is Shannon Thompson. I'm a 33 year old Caucasian woman living with relapsing remitting MS or multiple sclerosis. I have dark brown curly hair down in my mid back, I'm wearing a teal green and short sleeve shirt pearl necklace and a pearl headband, and I'm sitting in my living room with my tan couch behind me, and the walls are painted green.
Awesome. Kevin Can you introduce yourself. Yes, Hi everybody, my name is Kimberly, I am a 48 year old Caucasian woman. I am sitting in my computer in front of a couch in front of some puppy toys and beds that because we just adopted two puppies. So the room is kind of embarrassed. I have long brown hair. I'm wearing a purple shirt, and I am sitting in a wheelchair. I have a quadriplegia and spinal cord injury.
And then, is it Tilia or Talia. Hi, Leah, Tyra Can you introduce yourself for us. Hi, my name is Talia Flores, I am a 26 year old, born with spastic dysplasia, the most common form of cerebral palsy, I am an African American slash Puerto Rican and I'm wearing a green shirt, and I'm sitting behind my stomping ONDCP logo with the foot and the words in green stomping on TV and I'm happy to be here. Thank you all so much for introducing yourselves and for being our first group of guests during this immensely important month for our community. I want to kick off today's episode by asking all of you.
Can you tell me a little bit about the point in your journey where you became pridefully disabled, like where you embrace pride in your identity as a disabled person and what that shift was like for you tonight go first. Absolutely. Oh no, I have to say when I started stomping on TP and 18 where I just said, You know what, I'm disabled and I'm proud of him. I'm just gonna embrace playing him after hiding my disability for all these years after trying to go online and create fake profiles I finally said, You know what, I noticed enough, and I have to thank me finding my passion for writing for that breakthrough, and that was at 16, so two years transitioning to finally accepting my disability and it's been awesome to Sam this a proud.
Thank you so much for that perspective, it doesn't often happen for many of us in our community that early in life. So that's, that's really awesome to hear.
Kim can you tell us a little bit about that experience for you. Sure, I have to say that I accepted my uniqueness if you like what I like to call it in my 20s my late 20s When I finally fully accepted myself, because obviously you know, your 20s you're a woman, you know, pride in your appearance you want to give them all the latest fashions and fads and do what avails is doing what your friends are doing, and it just got to the point where it took off I said, I am who I am. You know, I'm unique. That's what makes me, me, if you will. Why am I shaper Why am I hiding it because I will do that alive when I go out as much with friends, family, especially dealing with both a contemplation choice stature and a spinal cord injury in a wheelchair. So, basically I felt like I got, you know, double punch, if you will with challenges. I said you know what it is what it is, and I took pride in it and this is who I am accept me or not, and you know I just put myself out there. It was a breakthrough and it's freeing, if you will, you know, felt like you're bounded for so long but once you accept that it's, it basically in your life, and it gave me more freedom free will and it is very free, said twice. Okay, that's really interesting. Chris can you tell us a little bit about that experience for you. Well, to begin with I was born with some birth defects including being legally blind, so I've been visually impaired all my life and then in my mid 30s I had an ischemic stroke to my spinal cord, which put me in a wheelchair. Now, I can't say a particular date because to me, developing pride in who you are, disability is a lifelong journey. It started when I was a little kid, and each day as I talk more about my disabilities for people share more about who I am and just go and do the things that everyone else does.
But finding a unique way for me to do my physical limitations. Each day, give me the courage and the energy to be prideful and it grows in phases that really is a starting point, nor an ending point, it's a continual journey through life for me.
I love that perspective of it being kind of a fluid process. Shannon, what was it like for you was there like a shift, Or was it very much more gradual like Chris. Um, I would say both. And I will give you the reason why I say both. So, a little of my backstory. When I was 10 years old, I had optic neuritis and both of my eyes and went blind for about a week and then I was put on prednisone steroids for two years, and every time they were trying to take me off the medicine I would start losing vision again. Finally, we were able to get my vision to a place where it stabilized, and I did regain most of my vision. At the time doctor said it was unlikely that it would ever turn into MS so I just live my life as if you know nothing, nothing to worry about. However, when I was a freshman in college I was pursuing an African major, and I had a couple months where I was having a hard time walking, and I would collapse on the floor frequently, and fortunately I'm able to get an MRI which shows that I have multiple sclerosis and several lesions on my brain. So I would say it definitely it was devastating because I have mobility that fluctuates so much where there's days that I drop okay, those days I've made a cane, there's days I need a wheelchair Scooter, and then there's days I can't get out of bed, so it was a shift to come up with a new definition of normal for myself, because I would find myself in trouble so my friend I was trying to live life as I used to be able to, and that wasn't fair to my body. And during that time I would get very frustrated with my body like oh, why can't you do this anymore, but with my journey with doing yoga and meditation, and I am a registered yoga teacher and children's yoga teacher, I've really learned about acceptance and love and kindness for my body. So I would say it was an immense shift at first, and really it's a lifelong process like Chris was saying, I think I'm always gonna keep learning how to be prideful and what works for my body.
Thank you for that perspective, Molly. What about you.
Oh, I do not
isn't.
And so for me.
And additionally, I have a combination, because I always had the five
persons.
So prior to that, there was a lot of self love,
and so on antidepressants.
I always really realize that have a disability was not.
And also that
sense of values society is our core.
Access is more disabling
disabling conditions.
That's such an important point to make, that, that the environment that we're in is often more disabling than our own bodies are and and I will I really want to start with you, Molly when we do some individual questions, because that's a really, really important point about the process of becoming prideful in our disabilities.
I want to move on to the next question that I have for all of you, and we as, as all of you have shown in your own stories so far we all experienced disability differently. There are invisible disabilities, and physical disabilities and all different kinds of mental health condition disabilities and this vast spectrum of the experience in our community and our own perspective is impacted in so many ways. And I'm curious to hear from you what are some of the factors that have affected your journey most, and how do you think those factors impacted the development of your pride and your disability identity.
Let's start in the middle we kind of did a circle so let's start with starting the middle. Shannon, can you talk about that a little bit for yourself. Hi, yes. Okay so I have a couple things I want to say in regards to that. So I think listening to my body, and learning what it needs on a daily basis is really huge for me. I do have other symptoms as well as my mobility fluctuating, but I try to plan ahead, I bring a travel kit with me everywhere that has a folding pain. It has clinic bands and the summer leg warmers in the winter, I have an issue with body temperature regulation. So it just has all those things that help make life easier for me when I'm on the go. And if it's been a busy day I'll take an Epsom salt bath, that helps with the chronic leg pain that I have, so just things like that I journal I write down. Oh, I wasn't feeling good today and then I try to connect the dots. See, why am I not feeling too good was it really busy, maybe I ate something that I shouldn't have. I'm gluten intolerant so I should not eat gluten.
And I would also say that being open with people about my disability and spreading awareness is extremely important for me.
After I have optic neuritis whenever my mom would bring it up when I was growing up as an adolescent. I was mortified I did not want to hear about it I didn't want to talk about it. But after I was diagnosed with MS when I was 18. Some of my friends weren't really sure how to be there for me to give me support, so I had to do some internal work and try to figure out how can I best communicate what I need or what I'm going through with friends. So I'm very, very open about my disability, the people in my hearing that kind of learning that openness is what really helped you to develop that pride. Oh absolutely, yes, there is nothing to be shameful about with having a disability.
And for you, how did that impact how you go about daily life in that in that process, how did those factors impact that for you.
Yes, so, um, when I'm going to work, I try to let my boss or coworkers know if it's a rough day for me. And if I was supposed to be doing a lot of spending. Is there any way that we could make this easier for me, I think I might need my cane later today or in a wheelchair today. So just, Yeah, really just communicating what I need from coworkers so that they know how to be there for me, because there have been times I've not done that x lapsed, and of course they were horrified like why didn't you say any if I didn't want to be a bother, so it's better it's safer for me it's better for them if they're just open communication. I love that. Kim can you tell us a little bit about what are some of the factors that have affected your journey of becoming prideful in your disability identity.
I was born into kind of pleasure. I had to deal with challenges, right from the start, obviously dealing with no and have every compatibilities like why am I different from other people whether I look different, where people stared at me. I got that a lot as a child and my parents, thankfully didn't hate me or do not kill me from that, they said no, go out there, be outgoing, you know, you have no reason to be shameful, you know, you're you, and you know that I think, not being ashamed of myself or what my quote unquote appearance, you know, held a lot, and I get I don't take my parents for that, how they raised me but you know as years gone by and, unfortunately, my spinal cord injury happened when I was 19 years old, so not only was there a kind of pleasure that I had surgery to deal with a spinal cord issue I was having, you know, they were into correct subject. Unfortunately, and went the opposite direction, and I lost mobility.
About 50% mobility. So then I've actually resolved, I'm having to deal with that, you know, all of a sudden, so try to go do that, along with the in the house, you'll be 19 I'll be going off to college. My main thing was I just go take it day by day. That's the main thing you know is taking it day by day, and just listen to my body.
And just, you know, I have the same thing I have temperature issues with my body, I get cold. I get hot from the injury, just being prepared.
It seems like everything changes. As I get older, I'm getting older now, so I'm dealing with other stuff. I deal with some arthritis, now, because I'm 40 years old, so I thought I'd come in. And so now I'm dealing with that. So it's, it's, it's gonna be a lifelong thing. And so, I just have to take a day by day and take challenges as they come to me and just be like this is, It is what it is. Oh, and everybody's got to deal with something I did only one, everybody has their own challenges, you're not alone in this. Nobody's perfect. So yeah, it's just be okay with who you are taking on the challenges that they come to you.
That being embarrassed that being like if you don't meet that challenge if you don't accomplish your goals in a certain time that to be embarrassed or shameful just keep at it, you know, don't give up, you know, estimate things, don't give up stuff. I'm also curious how do you think the development of your comfort with your disabilities would have changed if it weren't for the encouragement and support of your parents so early on.
If I could repeat that again I'm sorry. No problem. If you had not had the support and encouragement of your parents so early on, how do you think that would have impacted the way you've become so prideful in your own identity now. That's a good question.
I think I would have eventually accepted and taking pride.
Yeah, I think because my parents. Basically it's just, it's just hard to explain because they didn't want to do it, ashamed, if you will, and I know a lot of it was that they don't want the one shielded children, who's going to be challenged, not because they're embarrassed just because they don't want to be hurt, or they don't want them to be teased by friends or anybody, but my parents are like, no, no, don't get me wrong, there was times when kids or adults did, you know, make comments and my parent right there and they would sometimes could go back and it would say something through them. It's also like a teaching moment. Yeah, people and say oh you know, this is unfortunate, this is, you know, they would talk them through this is that very seriously to say this is my door. Go need to go back if you want to talk to me want to ask your questions, they all meet, but don't stare, or make comments and so forth and yeah I think right now, if anybody has any questions or comments about why I made a chair, why am I short, I welcome them. And because it's a teaching moment, too, especially with young kids. Yeah, I know they don't know, I know, so I can't fault them, but, but it's a teaching moment and hopefully as they get older and you see they come across people who may be different from that, it's accepting and it is normal to see people that are not like you know and it's everybody's unique in their own way. The way I love that I love that. Molly, can you tell us a little bit about some of the factors that have impacted your journey.
Yeah.
going
to say how
much
influence importance of applying for
jobs to children and adults.
And
so since I was 14 I was always involved, because I was always surrounded by kids and adults
day
feel
a sense of
sense something
to me.
That really helped me form a mental part of my identity as a person with a disability.
That's really interesting that the, the arts have had such an impact on your acceptance of of your your identity that's really unique. I like that title. Can you tell us some of the factors that have helped you develop pride and your identity, what helps me develop the pride in my identity is doing things like this, advocacy and speaking out for those who have cerebral palsy that necessarily can't and making an impact within the disability community to tell those people, there's nothing wrong with you having, in my case cerebral palsy, and what's been the most difficult part for me to accept, at some point is that I'm always gonna have chronic pain, and I'm always going to be like this forever like just today before this recording I just came back from the doctors and they told me that I need another operation immediately so all this is just the process but I would say my goal to survival guide in these processes, having people that support me and also under, figuring out ways that I can advocate for those who can't. And also understanding that the world's always gonna gonna need me. Those cannot speak for themselves, and also writing as well.
You have so many avenues for for those outlets and I think that's really important.
Thank you for sharing that. Again, I'm going to circle back to those outlets and my individual questions because I'm really interested in the ways that you guys have found those avenues for for action.
But I want to ask Chris before we move on. What are some of the factors that have impacted your acceptance journey in your disability pride journey the most. I had my ischemic stroke to my spinal cord. About two months after I got engaged to my fiance and I woke up after surgery, unable to turn myself my bed feed myself unable to stand, walk, any of that.
Now, a situation like that, unfortunately, has ended relationships, but my fiance saw beyond that and saw me as still a loving, caring, compassionate person, and stood by me 24 hours a day in the hospital, the first two weeks and was by my side, every minute, on my rehabilitation journey, encouraging me and supporting me and oversee me as it still as a human being, as a person, an individual did have a major impact. When I was released from the rehabilitation hospital. I ran into some people who had not known, I had my stroke my ischemic stroke my spinal cord, they saw me in the wheelchair for the first time there looks on their face. They were shocked. It looked like the jaw was gonna hit the floor, and that hurt. And that night after see those kinds of reactions I sat next to my wheelchair, and I pointed at it and I said, doesn't define who I am. And that moment I decided I'm going to do everything I can. So when people describe me to someone else, they're going to say, he does. A B C D E, and, oh by the way, he's in a wheelchair and he's disabled if they even mentioned that at all. And I know that may sound like I'm hiding my disability, but yet I was actually going out there to show the world that more to me than a disability, and there's more people who are disabled than the disability, their actual productive human beings come out of that, well that it sounds like having someone that was supportive of you was a huge thing for you.
And that's such an important topic.
I want to move on to some individual questions because all of your stories are so fascinating and your journeys are so interesting, and I want to get a little bit more from each of you in depth on these journeys that you've been on. I want to start with Shannon. So I know that you have, you know, been a teacher in the past, and you've spent a lot of time in the yoga space and the meditation space. Can you talk a little bit about how both teaching and yoga and meditation, and all of those activities have changed the way you see disability particularly your disability. Yes, absolutely. I just think, perfect.
So for yoga and meditation that doing it every day, has really affected my physical health positively as well as my mental health.
When I graduated from my 200 hour yoga program, I was going through a really rough time or two months I was in a wheelchair every day. And my teacher was so wonderful working with me to make up work that I had missed. And I actually taught my final class in a wheelchair, and just hearing people's reactions about how great it was to see, to see that it just, it made me want to.
It made me want to, I guess be prideful in my disability, I feel that there were times maybe in the past I feel like, Oh, well it's a bad day, I don't want to go anywhere. And maybe some of it was that I was ashamed that I had to use a wheelchair or a cane, just trying to develop that mindset but nope. This is me and nothing should get in the way of stopping me from doing what I love. So when I do teach classes at the library where I work part time.
I've taught classes standing up with a cane or in a wheelchair, and it's so great when the kids ask me questions, because of course they're curious, they just want to know, and sometimes say oh well I saw you last week and you were walking okay, what's wrong today. And so I just tell them, I have a chronic illness, and some days I have a hard time walking, and they're just so accepting and wonderful of it, which is so amazing to see. And there's been times that other kids have felt that they could share about their own disability with me or with a class, and sometimes they'll let the kids ask them questions and they will talk about having type one diabetes, or whatever it is that they're dealing with. And it's amazing seeing my kids who will stay after class on those days to help me clean up, and they do that have their own initiatives, and I always follow up with their parents to tell them what amazing children they're raising.
So do you think that, in a way that's your a form of activism is those daily activities that those teachable moments, or do you see it that way or do you kind of see it in a different light. Yes, I would say so. I have had the chance in the past to be an MS activist in Connecticut, and I would go to state capitol and speak with my district representatives about why certain legislature should pass, and I have also had the chance to speak at my former high school and college about my disabilities, but I think that really every day and especially with children having them have that sense of awareness from a young age, it's just going to make them more supportive and accepting as they grow. And I feel very honored to have the opportunity to share that with them.
That's huge. That's huge. I want to stay away from that question and that comment about self advocacy through awareness, and those teachable moments to Kim who talked a lot about those teachable moments yourself. And can you tell us a little bit about how you think those teachable moments, help you to develop even more pride in your disability, or do you think that it does in any way. Oh absolutely.
Like I was saying to you have an opportunity, opportunity to show kids, children age, that there are people who are going to be different from the more different from that. Does that mean that they're, you know, scary, or that they should be scared or afraid to approach them to talk with them or to be friends with them, especially because when they go to school, they don't come across people or other kids that are different from them, and they may be afraid, they may be a little hesitant, but to have those teachable moments and show them that it's okay. You'll ask questions. Ask your parents but, you know, and your brief, your friend, you know, to a fellow classmate, because you may not have friends, we don't know the situation.
But and, you know, and I show that everybody is accepting of one another.
It was my situation, I started out, I went to an all girls school from a young age to high school and when I got to the age, you know, going to high school, my parents gave me the choice, said okay, do you want to continue your private school at all girls Catholic school, or do you want to go to public school or go to public schools, Major, huge co Ed public school, and I was a little hesitant because I was comfortable, where I was before I had the front end there, but I want to experience that experience. One, you know, area if you will of schooling, but I wanted to experience public school, I want to get out there and you'll put myself out there and be friends with both boys and girls and, you know, I know it's gonna be other situations that want to come across. And, you know, that I haven't experienced before.
So, in a way, you know, I, maybe teaching my other classmates, you know, some lessons but just kids, because maybe some of them have, you know, been around others with disabilities. Unfortunately my school was very public and had, we had a visit, you know, disabled or disabled so it's always access for us in a way, but I just think if you teach to the show kids at a young age that you know about acceptance in all forms of life, no matter seeable noticeable, whatever it may be.
It's okay and it's, it's the norm, if you will, and this may look different be different, it does not mean they're mean or they're different from you, and that way when I do grow up and be more accepting of others. When it comes to going out into the real world workplace, whatever have you incurred also taught me more to by teaching others it also, I develop more competence too, as well, which, you know, In a way, is unexpected, if you will. I was expecting that. But I accepted and I'm like I'm proud of that I was happy for that.
I mean, nowadays today, I still feel like I do not know out there. I do still see people with a glance, you know, I, I'll catch it. Everyone's so quiet, but like hiding behind it, they're like yeah that's me and I'll smile back at them and yell and wave to them and, you know, they'll smile back and whatnot so it's gonna be a lifelong thing but again, I feel like the younger you teach kids to better now. They'll be accepting, and hopefully they can teach their classmates and fellow friends that everybody is like a certain way.
I think those those teachable moments are so important to help helping all of us get out there more, because, you know, it puts us out of our shells as well and I think, you know, hearing that it's both. It's important for for both of you so much, just reiterate that fact.
I want to ask Chris and tyrolia You both are writers, and I'm curious, what, how do you convey pride, through your work as writers, and how do you use your writing to empower your readers to embrace pride in their own lives, man go first, Chris, if you don't mind. Ladies first, please.
When it comes to teaching people about pricing my writing, I talk about my real life experiences, and I'm wrong about it. Like I'm very transparent about it. So let's say for example I come from a doctor's appointment and I'm fired up and I'm upset. I write about it, and I post about it because I want people to get the truth, I don't want people to get get seen, you know, and that's how I show people pride, through my writing, and it's also a teachable moment for parents and loved ones but don't know what their child is going through at the time where they're young adult, in my case, I get a lot of emails from parents saying thank you, you just spoke for my child, one of the emails that I got that really shocked me was when a 20 year old said you just look for my 17 year old grandfather so I was really happy about that.
That's really cool. That's really cool, Chris, yes. I mean very similar to type ideas answer. I'm very authentic and whether it be my writing when I do public speaking or doing a podcast, always to guesting on one. I share my real life experiences and I mix in some humor, because if people hear my story and laugh a little bit and say, Hey, it's okay if we make mistakes. It's okay if I struggle with this. I can overcome it, I can do this, and you're going to get through life better if you have a little sense of humor. I like to tell people just, you know, enjoy it, enjoy your disability, it will pass. Or you will one of the two, but while you have it, have fun with it. I agree with you, Chris, I always say, CPS having a party versus on in pain, so that people can laugh.
And I'm curious for both of you. Does your does your writing. Do you take it from the perspective of Shannon and Kim, trying to educate others, or do you typically take a reading from the perspective of your own journey in your own process and how others take it is up to them.
Do you mean do it with a goal in mind or is it more about your process and their experience. Oh, I'm sorry to interrupt, I got excited when you expect.
For me I think it's giving them a teaching tool. Once they can learn from it, because the more we spread awareness about our disabilities through our writing the better and more and more we do that, the less and less the misconceptions become a true reality.
Chris, do you have an opinion on that. Yes, they do a very similar way, we I write, I get several missions involved I want to share my stories and my life journeys and because helps me deal with what I've been through, and I'm also in my writing my speaking my podcasting, that people can say I can relate to that, and that will make them feel as though. Okay, I'm not alone in this battle, and I'm just like he has. So my mission, or my purpose in writing is to share my stories and hopes that it makes a difference in somebody's life only makes them smile.
That's so important that awareness is, is I think integral and so tied to our own pride process. So I'm really glad to hear you guys kind of reiterate that together. I want to ask Molly, Molly you work in the creative space, particularly in magazine layouts, which is a really unique profession, I might add.
And I'm curious, how, how has the acceptance and pride in your disability influenced your creative process, and does it impact the way you do your creative work,
because it's
not in cap.
Yeah, I
know.
when you present your choice, or this is the medicine. You have to consider to be an environment, dry clothes and remittances. Just about how to be creative, and how this ties in really close. And let's move on from our issues.
Yeah, in telling those stories, is, is that is that empowering to you or do you, do you find one impacts the other or they both impact each other like has your pride journey impacted the way you tell those stories, or do those stories also impact your own pride journey, and vice versa.
For my own just really pride, as well as our story. Stories are sent me because of my own. I want them to be accepted that other people I want a good environment. A world with a world people can embrace.
I love that through that creative process you're helping others to embrace their own pride. I love that. So I have one more question for all of you. And it's about ableism, and it's always such a pervasive topic in our community. And I do want to touch on it because I think it's also so impactful and important to the pride journey and how all of us develop our pride in our own disabilities. And I would like to know how you think disability pride uniquely battles, ableism, and what you need the power it has, in our communities to fight against ableism.
Oh, would like to go first. I think the unique side of like, battling ableism within our disability community is that we all have different ways. We identify because before, Disability Pride was such a thing people always wanted to use something else to identify with your disability and now we're saying it's okay. So for me it's been a learning experience on what to say and what not to say, and I think the unique part of disability pride month, when it comes to ableism is that we're educating people on what dialogue to use when it comes to disability. Disability because maybe you come across somebody who said an aimless thing and they may not know. So that's where I feel the unique aspect of it is because we're always educating.
And I think that process never ends, as I've you know learned from all of you today that process is ever going we're always educating and also at the same time, growing in our own pride. What other thoughts do you guys have about the unique opportunity for disability pride to fight ableism.
Kim Do you have that, um, I know it's a tough question. Yeah, it is because like you said, it's,
you know, definitely, stir up some opinions about it but you have to you have to come back to it but I think you mind going back to me for that one because that is totally fine, Chris. Yeah. Molly, would you like to share your, Your opinion on that. Yeah. No sound as if we were okay. Take the Janie's. Well, I don't know if we feel like they would be offended.
I think that that is a perfect way to sum up that statement that if we take pride in ourselves, it's going to help others accept us as well. I think that's a really powerful way to put that process of how disability pride can impact ableism. Are there any other final thoughts from any of you on that question before we close today's first podcast episode,
I'm going to take that as a resounding no. Always save the you know the most loaded question for last, maybe I should have not done that.
I want to get into thank all of you, Kim. Chris, Shannon, Talia and Molly, from our community and diverse ability for joining me today for our very first podcast episode ever diverse ability amplified. We will be posting a recording of this for all of those who need to see this visually, and we will also be posting this on a podcast platform I'm sharing it with all of you, because we are so excited to be celebrating disability pride in this unique way. And we look forward to sharing more stories on this podcast in the future. You breathe. Thank you. Thank you for inviting me. Yeah,
thank you for the opportunity. You guys are awesome.