Diversability Amplified Podcast: Celebrating Disability Pride with Emma Farley, Jennifer Gasner, Tiffany Yu, and Jay Trivedi (S2:E6)
In this episode, guest host (and Diversability Leadership Collective member) Emma Farley chats with members of the Diversability Leadership Collective Jennifer Gasner and Jay Trivedi and Diversability & CEO & Founder Tiffany Yu on what disability pride means to them.
Show Notes
Disability Pride and Personal Experiences
Disability Pride and Embracing Disabled Identity
Personal Disability Journeys and Community
Disability Pride and Reclaiming Identity
Disability, Communication, and Adulthood Rights
Disability Pride Movement and Commercialization
Disability Pride Month Promotion and Self-Advocacy Plans
Listen on Spotify
Summary
Quick recap
Tiffany, Emma, and Jennifer discussed their personal experiences with disability pride and the concept of disability pride itself, emphasizing the importance of self-worth, community, and resilience. They also discussed the Disability Pride movement, its lack of popularity, and the potential for commercialization to increase visibility, provided it is authentic and benefits the disability community. Lastly, they shared their plans to promote disability pride in the coming month, including personal expressions, memoirs, documentaries, and a break from advocacy.
Summary
Disability Pride and Personal Experiences
Emma, Tiffany, and Jennifer, all members of the Diversability Leadership Collective (DLC), discussed their personal experiences with disability pride. Emma, who is physically disabled and uses a motorized wheelchair, initiated the conversation, which revolved around the meaning of disability pride for each of them. Jennifer, who is also physically disabled, and Tiffany, the CEO and founder of Diversability, shared their perspectives as DLC members. The trio also shared their locations, with Emma and Jennifer in New York, and Tiffany in Los Angeles.
Disability Pride and Embracing Disabled Identity
Emma, Jennifer, and Tiffany discussed the concept of disability pride. Tiffany explained that disability pride is about asserting the value and worth of disabled people in a society that often tells them to feel ashamed of their bodies and disabilities. Emma added that disability pride also involves being proud of one's identity, history, and connections to a larger community. They all agreed that disability pride is not about pretending that disability is always positive, but rather about accepting both the good and bad aspects of their experiences and being okay with being disabled.
Personal Disability Journeys and Community
Emma, Tiffany, and Jennifer shared their personal experiences with disability and how they have navigated their respective journeys. Emma expressed her gratitude for her disability and her understanding of inclusion and patience towards others because of it. Tiffany shared her realization of the diverse and united community within disability and the importance of resilience and adaptation. Jennifer shared that she was not diagnosed with her disability until she was 17. Tiffany also discussed her journey from initially feeling ashamed of her disability to finding pride in the disability activist community, which emphasized agency, freedom, and demanding a voice. The importance of community for disabled individuals, especially those who are newer to their disability journey, was also highlighted.
Disability Pride and Reclaiming Identity
Tiffany, Emma, Jennifer, and Jay discussed the concept of disability pride and how it is expressed. Tiffany emphasized the importance of finding a sense of belonging in diverse communities. Emma stressed the need to examine one's motivations for making physical changes and to ensure they are being made for the right reasons. Jennifer shared her realization about internalized ableism and the significance of reclaiming negative words. Jay, who joined the discussion late, shared his perspective on disability pride, highlighting the importance of strength, faith, and resilience.
Disability, Communication, and Adulthood Rights
Jay shared his experiences of being perceived as vulnerable due to his disability, expressing frustration about being constantly protected. Emma also shared her experiences, emphasizing the importance of communication and understanding. She discussed her upcoming move to New York and highlighted the different treatment she received compared to her sister's move. Emma stressed the importance of individuals having the right to their adulthood and taking risks, even if they may be perceived as risky. She also underlined the necessity of reminding people of their right to make their own decisions, especially in situations where they may wander off.
Disability Pride Movement and Commercialization
Emma and Tiffany discussed the Disability Pride movement, which Emma noted as a relatively new cause, and its lack of popularity compared to Pride. Tiffany emphasized the importance of personal agency and highlighted the frustrations of her LGTBQIA+ friends with the commercialization of Pride. Both agreed on the importance of individual autonomy and self-determination, and discussed the potential for commercialization of Disability Pride to increase visibility and influence, provided it is authentic and benefits the disability community. They also stressed the need for a common Disability Pride month to foster genuine connections and understanding between different communities.
Disability Pride Month Promotion and Self-Advocacy Plans
Emma, Jennifer, and Tiffany discussed ways to promote disability pride in the coming month. They shared their personal experiences and plans, including Emma's focus on positive self-expression about her disability, Jennifer's memoir and documentary discussions, and Tiffany's exploration of her disabled body's capabilities. The team also discussed the need for a break from advocacy, with Tiffany sharing her experience of facing backlash. Additionally, Jennifer revealed her best friend's nomination for the D 30 disability impact list, and the group planned to review Emma's podcast episodes for potential release during Disability Pride month.
Transcript
11:08:21 Hello and welcome to Diversibility Amplified. Happy Disability Pride is July second, so it's day 2 of disability pride.
11:08:30 And in. In celebration of that, today's episode, we're going to be talking about What does disability pride mean to you?
11:08:42 I'm your host, and Farley and I am a DLC member and I am a my pronouns are she her and I am a white cisgender woman in my early thirtys.
11:08:56 I am physically disabled and in my motorized wheelchair and I have long wavy brown hair.
11:09:00 And I'm wearing a. Black dress and a light pink. Cardigan sl. So hello everybody, why don't you, oh, I'm here just here 2 people.
11:09:15 So, but why don't both of you introduce yourselves?
11:09:21 I'm Jennifer. I'm a also a DLC member. My perdons are she, her, and I'm a white woman.
11:09:35 Also, physically disabled in a wheelchair. And, I have blondeish gray share.
11:09:50 Go back and, punish you and brown glasses.
11:09:58 Thanks, Jennifer. Hi, everyone. You have Tiffany, you here. My pronouns are she, her.
11:10:03 I'm the CEO and founder of Diversity. But we, and I'm a Taiwanese American woman with below the shoulder length black hair.
11:10:12 And I'm wearing a blue top joining you from my apartment in Los Angeles where I have a vintage friends poster behind me.
11:10:21 Awesome. I love your friends poster. I love friends. I love the show.
11:10:25 Yes.
11:10:27 So I guess let's just let's dig right in. So what does. What does disability drive mean to you?
11:10:38 I want to hear both your thoughts and we can, sort of kick off a conversation from there.
11:10:44 So I think disability priority isn't. This is necessarily thinking. I'm so happy I'm disabled and Hi, you know, everything's sunshine in roses.
11:11:07 Like It's about accepting the good and the bad. And just being okay with. What it is and not necessarily find the hide yourself.
11:11:28 Sorry, my dog's making noise. Yeah. So I think that's what it's really about like acknowledging.
11:11:44 There's some good staff. There's some bad stuff and I'm okay with it.
11:11:54 Yeah, this is Sydney. I love that. I think it was interesting because when I look online and I type in what is disability pride.
11:12:03 There really isn't like a concrete answer for it. And. I guess the shortest way I explain it is It's the ways in which we as disabled people assert our value and worth in a society that tells us that we should feel shame about who we are.
11:12:22 Yeah.
11:12:27 But.
11:12:22 And if I can do a little bit of a shameless plug, I'd love to read just a very brief part from my forthcoming book.
11:12:31 Love it.
11:12:33 But, but back in 2,009, so 15 years ago, I wanted to start the 1st iteration of diversibility and I would tell people that I was looking to start a movement around disability pride.
11:12:46 And so, what's disability pride they asked, how can you be proud to be disabled?
11:12:51 As Archer Shepherd writes, being proud to be disabled isn't, isn't about liking my disability.
11:13:00 It isn't about pretending that disability doesn't straight up suck. Rather, a claiming disability pride is a rejection of the notion that I should feel ashamed of my body or my disability.
11:13:07 Declaring my pride means that I don't accept society's definition of disability. Loving my disabled body is a radical act that can challenge the way people think about disability, one that promotes the idea that it's normal to be imperfect.
11:13:20 I agree with Shepherd. Disability Pride doesn't mean loving every aspect of our disability body mind or experience.
11:13:28 It's nuanced and buried and means something different to each of us, but it means we get to be part of a vibrant community that we can be proud of.
11:13:35 The way I see it, Disability Pride is an example of an anti-abelist mindset and behavior because it helps us to combat ableism by making disability visible and worthy.
11:13:45 It's rooted in action rather than neutrality. And it helps us to move toward a disability inclusive world.
11:13:52 More than just a call for acceptance. It celebrates the intrinsic worth and meaningful contributions of disabled people.
11:14:02 No.
11:13:59 Thanks for letting me do my shameless plug. I didn't even ask. I should I just said I'm gonna read this.
11:14:05 That's what you got.
11:14:33 So, all pause like you know Identify as a female and am I proud to be a female?
11:14:43 Absolutely. And is being a female positive all the time? Absolutely not. Sometimes being a woman is the worst.
11:14:52 And that comes from the way that females are treated in society, but also just inherently some things about being a woman.
11:14:58 Biologically, like it can be a little, it can be a little tough. you know, and Any female anybody who identifies as female will understand that it's it is It's a gray area, but overall.
11:15:15 I'm proud of all of my identity. So disability being one of that. One of those. And, but it's also about like, Being proud of the history?
11:15:25 I love the history and I mean, those are I look at the activists and the people who made my were trailblazers before me.
11:15:36 Those are my ancestors and I'm so proud of that. Like those are my disability ancestors and I feel an incredible sense of pride with that.
11:15:47 Because it's really it's quite It's quite remarkable to be. Connected to such
11:15:59 Amazing people. Even if I never met them, you know, I never met and I met you a human, but I have this connection with her or And if you have any of the other activists.
11:16:16 Yeah, so I think that's part of it. I think it's also.
11:16:21 Being proud to be part of a community that I mean, disability intersects with all other identities, all other communities.
11:16:34 It exists on all corners of the earth. So it's kind of like I feel more connected to the world through disability because I know that no matter where I go Not everybody is gonna be like, look like me, believe what I believe, but there will be somebody wherever I go who's disabled and that makes me feel connected to the world and I really really like that.
11:16:53 It's hard to feel connected to the world in this day and age. It's a big, Okay.
11:16:57 You know, so. That's yeah, I would say I agree with everything both of you said, but those are the things I would add to it.
11:17:07 Yeah, I really, like that. I loved your part of your book, that's wonderful.
11:17:19 I know like I've talked to Is some people or I've been on Zooms with people.
11:17:28 And they're like, oh, I'm, I'm not there yet. I don't have disability pride in.
11:17:37 I'm like.
11:17:39 What do you mean? I don't understand it as a Destination. That's why I think it's about.
11:17:53 Excepting both sides of it. You know, and not. It's. When you say you had disability pride, it's not, you know.
11:18:07 I love being disabled. It's the favorite thing about me.
11:18:15 I don't know. And any vest would say it's our favorite. If we would, I don't know.
11:18:28 I guess it depends on what. Context you're looking at it Okay.
11:18:36 And I think it depends what kind of what your experiences. I mean, with this, I mean, we have all.
11:18:40 Right.
11:18:43 Disability is such a, that's an umbrella term and there's lots of things.
11:18:48 Okay.
11:18:48 And that umbrella, lots of experiences. And so it's, I, I'm open to like, anybody's perspective.
11:18:55 I think you know, that makes sense. I don't think it's ever gonna be like you should think it this way.
11:19:00 Yeah.
11:19:01 Yeah. I think also, but. I mean, for me, another thing is the the perspective, I mean, I think I thought often like who would I be if I wasn't disabled and Honestly, I I think a lot of the Wonderful things that I've learned.
11:19:24 The important things that I've learned about life. The way that I look at my perspective. The eyes that I see the world through.
11:19:35 That. The things that that make that so beautiful. Come from disability. I really credit that and I you know, I, I wasn't able to just be like, Another one of those white I don't know, I kinda think like,
11:19:53 Could a yeah, I think it's something that has brought a lot of really beautiful things to my life and that's what I really am proud of that because I think I think I just don't think I would have.
11:20:07 I think I would have struggled otherwise understanding the the family I was born into, the the environments I grew up in.
11:20:16 I think I would have struggled in this in this. Day and age in this climate. How . And And I am really grateful.
11:20:26 That. I can see other people. And, and see. Things that others.
11:20:34 Don't necessarily pick up on. And I'm glad that I have an understanding of inclusion and what that means.
11:20:40 And being patient with others and and I don't know it extends to a lot of different things that I think others really are having a hard time with.
11:20:50 These these concepts. And because I'm disabled, these are concepts that come really easily to me.
11:20:56 That I understand right away. And that's allowed me to navigate the world a lot easier.
11:21:03 Yeah.
11:21:03 Yeah. Oh, go ahead, Disney. Sorry.
11:21:06 Yeah, I mean, I think a couple interesting things coming up like I love Jennifer the way you described as kind of like not really viewing disability pride as a destination per se.
11:21:19 But I also understand that I've definitely met people who are disabled who are not proud, right? And I want to make space and nuance for that.
11:21:29 And at the same time as someone who acquired my disability. I did live a period of my life like as a non-disabled person.
11:21:38 And also wanting to make space for what I call like disability grief and even for those who have disabilities that are congenital like how they.
11:21:49 How they manifest over time. And so if I have people who are coming to me who are earlier in their disability grief journey.
11:21:57 I might not be super relatable to them as someone who's very loud and proud, right?
11:22:03 But I happen spending a lot of time thinking that the 1st 12 years after I became disabled, like I very much sat in my disability grief.
11:22:12 I didn't understand that there was this, as you said, this incredible community that you could be a part of, right?
11:22:20 And I actually think that not only the creation of diversibility as a community, but me plugging myself into a disability-centered community is really what Excel my own disability pride journey.
11:22:31 So, so yeah, and then I guess I'll also say. Yes, disability is super diverse and I did some research around, okay, you have all these people who not only have different access needs, have totally different disabilities and different ways that they navigate the world.
11:22:49 Like what are the things that actually unite us so that we can show up in solidarity with each other.
11:22:54 And number one is being a pressed in one way or another and then having to develop resilience and having to adapt in whatever way that looks like for you.
11:23:04 So, so for me and in my own study of like disability culture and learning more about the disability community, it's okay, we can not agree on things within our community and you know I'd be remiss if I didn't acknowledge there's some in fighting that feels like it's always happening.
11:23:24 At anyone's point in time, but we can agree that. All of us have experience having to adapt to a society to a world that wasn't built for us.
11:23:33 And also potentially being treated differently or being oppressed in this aspect of our identity because it is different.
11:23:41 Yes!
11:23:42 And I think, oh, go ahead, go ahead.
11:23:45 I was just going to say I'm kind of like I was not diagnosed with my disability until I was 17.
11:23:59 So yes, I was probably in the grief stage for about 10 years.
11:24:11 Until I started getting, I started working in the disability community and that. Totally shifted my perspective and you know, open things up to me in a whole new way.
11:24:35 Yeah, and I I, my disability is a little, I, I was born with muscularity.
11:24:46 I, you know, and I'm pretty sure my neuro divergence is a birth thing from birth to but those that was diagnosed later but but must be it was something that transitioned over time the weight so I'm a full time wheel traceer now but I was walking for, you know, a large drunk in my childhood.
11:25:02 It was a slow transition into being a wheelchair user, the ADHD Discalcula, that those are things that, you know, I didn't know about till later and but also but particularly with Moscow to be my introduction to the disability committee was through the muscular DCP association which is a different that like that is a So the narrative that was being pushed on me from that organization is not that's not something I
11:25:29 align with but that was how I That's how I was able to create these connections to other people in my community.
11:25:36 And so I felt. It was it was definitely a journey developing disability pride because I was for a long time.
11:25:47 What was being pushed on me is that it was sort of that inspiration porn. That's probably like the Mda's definition of, you know, disability pride is being paraded on stage and you know looking cute and being on the Telethon and all that and that wasn't me and so I misunderstood really what disability pride was because I was All I understood was what the MDA was feeding me and
11:26:12 what, those sort of Non-profit big non-profits were were you know very much in control of the narrative and that's all I was being fed so it took me a while.
11:26:25 It wasn't until really I. I mean, I was always involved like in school with my peers who were disabled and just sort of doing that.
11:26:39 Peer to peer interaction. Made me feel I started to develop pride.
11:26:47 Using my voice anytime I was advocating for myself or for others I felt pride and I started as I sort of move towards adulthood.
11:26:56 I noticed You know, and I started to sort of really separate from those organizations, I and, and I, I looked for the real activist and advocate, community within disability and That's really where I started to feel pride because I it was this was now a narrative I could feel proud of and I could back up these were people that were had agency had had were demanding freedom.
11:27:26 We're demanding a voice and that's that's when I started to really develop it.
11:27:28 Was when I started to be involved with the disability community. In that area. And not in the controlled disability you know, MDA Special Olympics type narrative that made me feel almost ashamed.
11:27:46 Because it didn't align with me and it made me feel embarrassed. But yeah, and so.
11:27:54 It really was just finding. Finding the right environment within disability. I think was where I developed it.
11:28:05 Yeah, this is Tiffany. I think I resonate with parts of that journey as well.
11:28:10 I feel like
11:28:12 I feel like in my early years my disability was very much viewed through the medical model. So the narrative was always around.
11:28:20 Fixing, don't lean into this. And similar to you, Emma, I think it was finding.
11:28:28 Other people who didn't, didn't ascribe to that. And that's not to say, so I'm getting ready to actually go, it's called UVPN camp, so it's a camp for.
11:28:41 People have my injuries and they invite a lot of. Doctors and my injury also happens during Medical malpractice if you pull the arm out first, st so there are a lot of parents there with young kids And I remember One of the surgeons, one of the pediatric surgeons like coming to talk to me and he said, you know, Hey, I watched your TEDx talk and I was like, oh, you
11:29:05 know, I actually had and I actually I think Jennifer's heard this straight before, but I stopped and I said, I'm really sorry I have a difficult relationship with.
11:29:12 Medical professionals and he was like oh no big deal but I just want to let you know that as a function of watching your talk we've added a mental health professional to our team so that other kids who are going through surgeries and things like that Not only are they having to go through this medical trauma, but they also have mental health support with it.
11:29:32 And at the same time, I think one thing I realized is that if you really do believe that a surgery or something is going to improve your quality of life, as a disabled person.
11:29:44 I'm not, I'm not here to say to prescribe like what you can or can't do, but I will see I think I.
11:29:52 For a long time, I don't know if I was like extreme disability pride, cause I was like, no fixing.
11:29:58 I've done no surgeries, no nothing blah blah blah. And then I would meet these kids.
11:30:03 You know, and these adults who have gone through surgeries after the Brachial plexus injury that we all have.
11:30:09 Who are able to you know, play a guitar now or do things that they maybe love doing before their injury and have adapted to in different ways.
11:30:19 So. All of that to say. I guess I'm becoming a little bit more compassionate that there is a time and space for these different models of disability to exist.
11:30:30 But I think I was growing up it was so heavy medical model, me thinking there was something wrong with my body and that It shouldn't be seen.
11:30:38 And I call it like the alphabet soup of medical procedures and different types of treatments that my mom tried.
11:30:46 But yeah, I will say that diversibility Diversibility was my 1st disability community and I do find that for a lot of disabled people who are Newer on their disability.
11:31:01 Often find us as their 1st community too and similar to what you said, Emma, like my big belief is maybe it's diversibility is the place you find community and if it's not that's fine I just hope that no matter where you are if it's MDA if it is Special Olympics if it is some of those organizations like you find that sense of belonging.
11:31:21 Because I actually think that's what's going to create. Pride no matter what that looks like for you and a sense of empowerment too.
11:31:30 And I think, yeah, and I agree, it's however. It's about what it what it.
11:31:37 The effect that things have on you. So again, like the, you know, which community. Has a good affect you or even like going back to when you were speaking about surgeries, it's like.
11:31:47 We're being motivated to get a surgery or to get a treatment. It's like, but where is that coming from?
11:31:55 As long as you're working, I feel like my opinion is Work through your internalized, work through, cause we all, I mean, there's no way you can live in this world and not be impacted by.
11:32:05 You know, the ableism within society. So I think work through that and if you after you've done that work still come back to the same place.
11:32:17 Okay, but just make sure it's coming from. You're doing it for the right reasons.
11:32:23 I would say that about any sort of change you're making. I'd say that to somebody who wants to dive their hair a bright color, you know, like why are you doing it?
11:32:30 Like, so, Yeah, I think. And I, when I hear other people wanting to.
11:32:37 Change something about their disabled body. I immediately. You know, cause I, I tend to get more like, no, don't change.
11:32:46 Like I feel like that too, but I started to sort of step take a step back and say Alright, well everybody has the right to make whatever changes they want to their body.
11:32:56 It's their body, but I just hope it's coming from the right place and that's why I encourage people to do.
11:33:03 Because if you know If you try, if you make a change for the wrong reasons. It's only going to the internally it does it does harm it sends a message about your value.
11:33:19 Yeah, no, I, I was gonna say like
11:33:26 In terms of internalized, I didn't really start recognizing it in myself until maybe a 20 years ago.
11:33:43 And you know, and 1st and like, oh, it's just insecurities or whatever and then you know when you look a little deeper you're like oh that's what that is.
11:34:00 Okay. And, yeah, it's It's a continual learning. I learning thing too, I mean I just turned 50 so that makes a huge difference.
11:34:22 I feel like I bring up I'm 50 a lot. I feel like that.
11:34:29 Saturday Night Live character who's like, I'm 50 and I love it. You know.
11:34:37 Yeah.
11:34:38 Anyway, I digress. But, oh, the, I think. The pride comes into also.
11:34:57 Like looking at okay. The slogan or I don't know, slogan seems like a weird word to use, but The idea of diversibility, like disability is not a bad word.
11:35:18 Everyone's like, well, wait.
11:35:23 You're using this as a It's what I learned.
11:35:36 You know, to start the word right with that's a negative thing. It's like No, it's negative to you, but it's not negative to me.
11:35:52 It's like we're reclaiming the word.
11:35:57 Yeah. And so I, Jay, you've joined, welcome to the podcast.
11:36:07 Do you have, so we're talking about disability pride and what it means and Do you have any thoughts or is there anything you want to share about disability?
11:36:17 Pride what it means to you or your journey with it.
11:36:24 Hi everyone, Sally. I kinda jump in late and I'm actually, reporting for work.
11:36:34 I think the way that I see it is You know, when I think applied, I think the things like, based both I think of those things and those Those are the 3 key words that come to play.
11:36:51 Like.
11:36:53 Like, like, I live a small bit of pay. Like I have so much pride that even though I am disabled, I am able to.
11:37:05 Do come up with a some of the things normal people can do. They go to school. Go to call, go to college.
11:37:15 Oh, not normal people, but any person. Go to school go to college hold down 2 jobs.
11:37:26 And you know, go to places that, you know. Using various transportation facilities
11:37:39 You know, I have you know, sometimes Sometimes I don't, sometimes on certain days I don't have that device because.
11:37:49 That hide is being shot down by someone who doesn't see me for who I am who doesn't understand what it's like.
11:37:58 To be. Disabled, you know, and I think that's a really really bad. I think that should really that sends a really bad signal.
11:38:16 I think like for example. My parents are not, are not able. I'll be right, I'll be on a splush hand, but You know, when they say to me that you know, they don't want me like, for example, like when I was in Bermuda.
11:38:36 Okay, we all went shopping together. Okay, and I And I all I wanted to do is you know, just see what's around the mall, you know, just get an idea of what to, what to shop for, what to do, you know?
11:38:52 And because I wanted to really.
11:38:56 My objective was to shop for several of my friends in the CCHS Foundation. You know, because, it's just to give them a small token.
11:39:07 You know, doing my trip to facing, you know, they talk to me a lot on Meth and Jill and social media.
11:39:14 And. It's, it's like they don't want me to wander off.
11:39:22 They want me to stay with them. It's like, come on, I'm in the mall.
11:39:26 I'm here to, I'm on vacation at the same time. I want to be able to.
11:39:31 I want to be able to shop by myself like I can anywhere else. Okay, I'm not Just because I am disabled, that doesn't mean that I cannot do things in independently, okay?
11:39:43 But it's like all the caba is my safety. They say, oh, where did we tell you for your safety?
11:39:50 Leo want you to do this for your safety. We, you know, my safety was yes my safety and health is priority I understand that because I'm in a new place.
11:40:01 Nobody will know what to do and it's like they they That's all they see is my safety, my safety, my safety, but.
11:40:10 They, they sometimes don't understand. Why I do what I want to do. And, that's really scary.
11:40:23 And, and that's also the same thing for employers, you know, they don't really.
11:40:29 They don't understand. Our uniqueness, I guess. I just think I just that that's also known as a ableless type of way someone is not willing to understand.
11:40:42 What it's like to be. In our shoes. And that's the other thing and again I say then.
11:40:50 You know, sometimes I have And there's some days I don't have, I don't feel that fight at all.
11:40:57 And to have do not have that I'll have to say it, hard waiting. Hi, Vijay.
11:41:06 It's heartbreaking. But I'll just stop there because, I'll have to, but.
11:41:12 Thank you guys for let me speak. Emma, take it away, please.
11:41:16 Yeah, I, well, I think. You know, 1st of all, I definitely relate to, you know, having people be overly.
11:41:25 Concern for my safety. I think, you know, Lots of different people. I get that a lot in my life and I have to remind people to like chill out.
11:41:36 I've had your you know my parents. I would say they are. More anti-abelist than most that I've seen.
11:41:44 They do a fantastic job, but they're times where they get, cause they're my parents.
11:41:50 They're protective. But I think I remember talking them one day and I asked like, you know, Why are you, cause they were being overly protective.
11:41:58 It was when I was. Moving to New York, actually, and you know, and I noticed the treatment was different from, you know, when my sister moved to New York and me and.
11:42:07 You know, and I realize, well, there is more at stake. If something were to happen to me.
11:42:13 But, you know, and they're also just being my parents, but I think sometimes it's really my advice would be to just remind people, you know, that You have the right to your adulthood and to take risks.
11:42:26 You know, if it is risky, if you're, if wandering off is more risky though.
11:42:31 Okay, well. It could be, you know, you have the right to take that risk. But yeah, I guess, But I wanted to but another thing I wanted to bring up is so How somebody with disability pride, so this is fairly.
11:42:49 I don't know exactly the history of it very well. I don't know when it started, but this was not something I really knew about till very recently till I was maybe in my mid twenties.
11:43:01 I didn't, hadn't heard of disability pride. And so I do know it's It's fairly new, but How?
11:43:10 It's certainly not, you know, we just came out of June with. Lgbtq IA, IA plus pride and that is a Global, huge, month long event.
11:43:24 It is, it is celebrated so, you know, with lots of different events, praise it's it's it's a huge thing.
11:43:33 So how you know, and then we come to disability pride months and I already know it's not gonna be as popular.
11:43:41 So how, what are some, I wanted to ask. How can we get? More people interested or involved in disability pride.
11:43:53 How can we create that kind of world like you know, and make July look like June, you know?
11:44:01 Yeah, this is Tiffany. I will say to Jay's point and your point, I also relate with.
11:44:08 People being overly protective over things and making comments about that's not safe and I'd like how you said you just asked them to chill out.
11:44:16 I think for me it's like just reminding myself and them that I know my body best and if I feel like I'm If it's, yeah, sometimes I just want to try.
11:44:29 That's that's my current face, but. I guess 2 things I'll share. So one is, you know, from a lot of my LGBT QI A plus friends.
11:44:39 They're frustrated with how commoditized. And commercial and corporate.
11:44:45 June has become. And in some ways I talked to my disabled friends and we kinda wish we got more of that.
11:44:54 Where you know corporates are buying big floats at the parades and So that was kinda like the 1st thing is or I guess I have 3 things to say is, that We're seeing the extreme of it, how everyone is wearing rainbows and changing their logos in June.
11:45:22 Yeah.
11:45:16 And it's kind, and like not really spending as much time on the history part. And in some ways I feel like for disability pride month.
11:45:28 We have a ways to go to get to that journey, but I feel like I feel like it will be part of my own disability pride to like.
11:45:37 See something like that, even for me seeing brands like I think it was anthropology or Tommy or Victoria's secret all start to launch adaptive lines.
11:45:48 Are making are making me excited. Like. Yes, yes, the and the close look nice, you know, and of course I know it's a business and it's a business opportunity and possibly impacts their bottom line.
11:46:02 But I think and I think in some ways I'm hoping for more of a commercialization so that people can see.
11:46:09 That we are out here and we are proud, which leads me to my second point, which is. You're in LA, Disability Pride Month is actually in October.
11:46:20 And, and it's been proclaimed by, one of the supervisors.
11:46:26 And I remember bringing up in a call, I'm like, if we can't even get aligned on which month is going to be disability prime.
11:46:34 But I'm also and can I also be excited that at least we do have a disability pride month and we have a parade that that in October and I also want wonder strategically because I know in New York July is Disability Pride Month and they'll do a disability pride parade, but it would be like way too hot here in July to do that.
11:46:55 So maybe they picked October because it would be warmer, but also that's National Disability Employment Awareness Month.
11:47:00 So, there is kind of like. We don't know. We don't know which month is our month and I'm hoping for some more alignment there from within our community.
11:47:11 And I also think it's a win that big cities even, even another DLC member, Niko Miring and a lot of the work he's done around the Merrill Proclamation of July's Disability Pride Month.
11:47:24 In Philly, we have San Francisco, Chicago. New York. That, that's amazing.
11:47:34 And then, and then the last thing I'll say, I guess my 3rd point is.
11:47:39 And it kind of reminds me of. Why I started diversity or a lot of the different initiatives that I brought is kind of like if we don't see other people doing it, we're gonna create it.
11:47:51 Right? And so I know that a lot of the feedback around disability pride month is that it's a bunch of disabled people tearing and celebrating each other on.
11:48:00 But I'm hoping that will have a like. That will have a trickle effects in in the communities in the other communities that we're a part of because I do think it's amazing that like the 1st time The 1st time that I really saw a celebration of disability pride and disability pride month was in 2,015 when i was in new york and that was the 1st year that the mayor had proclaimed
11:48:27 July as Disability Pride Month, the 1st year there was a disability pride parade. And so
11:48:35 I guess I bring that up that. That was a milestone year for the ADA and I am pretty excited that even outside of it not being a milestone year, you know, next year will be the milestone year for the ADA.
11:48:49 There still is some noise and some discourse around disability pride and the anniversary of the ADA.
11:48:58 Yeah, and I think And you brought up a few interesting points, but what Well, I think as you were kind of bringing up.
11:49:07 You know, the commercialization of of Pr in June and all and all the I think being so new, disability pride, what we can do, I think it's an opportunity.
11:49:18 To take notes about what's working and what's not working with other groups and take steps to make sure that we don't fall into the same trap.
11:49:28 So it's getting that visibility. Without the performative commercial, commercialization of. Disability pride and make you know knowing ahead of time okay this is like what's happened with other with other groups let's make that demand upfront that that's not going to be a thing.
11:49:50 If you're going to change your logo on LinkedIn if you're corporation, you better be given back to the community somehow.
11:49:54 Like I think there's opportunity there and because I think of the same things and performative allyship is really hurtful.
11:50:04 I think it's 1 of the most hurtful actions is is performative. Allyship.
11:50:11 I think also you're right. I think getting aligned as a community on when to have like Getting an agreement, I think.
11:50:21 Agreeing on a month is one of the easier tasks. I think that's probably something that should be taken care of as soon as possible.
11:50:29 And making sure that and I and I think But I think the way to do that is really through making sure that we're You know, we have our diversity community, but bring it, you know.
11:50:41 Communicating with other organizations with other groups being intersectional and making sure that you know, we're we're bringing in other.
11:50:52 Other voice other, you know, people outside of our little, of our group, it's not little, it's pretty big.
11:51:00 But, of our group and And yeah, and you're right, you have to create creating that where you don't see it.
11:51:09 And what I like is I where I see potential is this is I think maybe I don't know if I just didn't see it before because I wasn't aware but I feel like people are starting to step up more than ever.
11:51:23 And so there's more, I just think more people taking that initiative. So I feel like opportunity is there.
11:51:29 But I wanna make sure. I do wanna get to a place where. You know, what I like about what happened in June is People want to be connected to that.
11:51:40 People want to go to the PRI. I want to I wanted to go to the Py parade.
11:51:44 I want to do I'm I am straight but I wanted to be connected to that because it's so it was such a wonderful and especially New York.
11:51:51 Oh my gosh. And it made me excited about I want to do a walking tour for, you know, learning the history of, different, historical places that happened for the gay community.
11:52:05 I want people to be excited like that about disability. I that's what I really want is I want people to want to get to know us and be connected with us.
11:52:14 Genuinely because There's things to appreciate the same way I appreciate, you know, from outside the LGBTQ IA plus like From the outside, I appreciate it.
11:52:24 And I wanna. You know, be an ally and I want That's what I see. I want that motivation.
11:52:32 I want to increase that.
11:52:35 Well, it's interesting like, something just kinda popped in my head. And maybe I'm wrong, but I
11:52:48 See to. Thank you. Remember that when Will and Grace, got her on the air.
11:53:01 Okay.
11:53:01 That's when, LGB TQI and pride really took off. You know, so I think.
11:53:18 Go ahead, giving ourselves. More represented in media in an accurate way.
11:53:34 Mine also will help us along the way.
11:53:38 Yeah, I think media is a big thing and that's that is a tough thing to to accomplish.
11:53:48 You know, Hollywood's Hollywood the top industry and breakthrough in, in, in any kind of area of it.
11:53:56 It's just, it's, Yeah, but I agree with you. So. With a little less, 5 about 5 min left.
11:54:05 I wanted to. Close out, I wanna ask, so. How What's 1 way?
11:54:14 For their remaining part of the year. Or maybe, no, what's 1 way this month? That you want to.
11:54:21 Promote. Disability Pride. What's 1 way you're going to promote disability pride?
11:54:28 I can start by saying I. In a simple way, I am going to. Do a better job at.
11:54:39 Speaking. Positively about my disability instead of focusing on where it's a struggle. For this month because I think I tend to sort of focus on what I'm experiencing in oppression rather than.
11:54:59 You know, and I wanna show people that. People aren't gonna know that I should have disability pride if all I'm showing them is.
11:55:07 How it's awful. So that's 1 thing I'm gonna do better with.
11:55:14 That's amazing. For me, I am going to. I'm going to talk to a group.
11:55:28 Next week. Sandy go states. You, in there a group that's mainly made up.
11:55:43 Parents of kids with disabilities.
11:55:48 And we are going to be discussing my book, another shameless promotion. My memoir is called My Unexpected Life.
11:56:04 Finding balance beyond my diagnosis. So I'm going to be doing that and I know Emma and I are also hosting a mixer.
11:56:19 Ath the end the month to disguise. A documentary on Netflix called Tell Me Love Me.
11:56:31 Or tell them you love me, right? I always get them mixed up. So, so I'm looking forward to both of those events and explaining.
11:56:50 Or maybe not explain highlighting. How I found acceptance. And how I hope other people find that in themselves.
11:57:09 I love that. I think.
11:57:15 That's a really good question. The 1st thing that's coming up for me is rest. Just because I think that a lot of I don't know, I feel like the weight and expectation in some ways that I always have to be advocating.
11:57:30 That I always have to have a hot take on something. I get forwarded, I'm sure many of you do too, like anytime there's anything I get forward forwarded in it.
11:57:41 And and even just recently not gonna name names but there's new AI accessibility overlay that has raised millions of dollars.
11:57:52 And one of my friends forwarded it to me and I. Then went back to them. With the New York Times article that I think is called For blind users, the fix is often worse.
11:58:04 The fix is worse or something like that. Anyway, accessibility overlays are not. Break accessibility for some people use screen readers in case this is the 1st time you're hearing about it.
11:58:13 But it was almost like I had to use labor even in that interaction to educate because I didn't want that person who shared that to continue to.
11:58:26 I don't I don't know and I just see nodding so rest is part of it Diversibility is also going to be announcing our D.
11:58:35 30 Disability Impact List. But I think for me personally, I've kind of just been on a personal journey over the last couple of years.
11:58:42 Of exploring the things that this disabled body can do. And it's been 2 years since I went to the camp for people who have brachial plexus injuries.
11:58:53 And last time I was there, I tried archery for the 1st time. I climbed a rock wall and went roller skating and axe throwing.
11:59:05 I wasn't good at the axe thoring, but maybe I'll try again. But, and it was hosted@theymca. and in some ways, you know, my injury happened when I was 9 and I think a lot about not only 9 year old Tiffany in my work.
11:59:16 But just being able to channel who she wanted to be and That's why I'm kind of excited to go back to camp and throw axes and Do whatever whatever do activities they have.
11:59:30 So, so I think it's the embodiment of myself too of saying. Hey, let me in the safe, super supportive environment.
11:59:35 Let me try. These new things that I always count in myself out of because like Jay said, people thought it would be too unsafe for me to try.
11:59:43 Yeah.
11:59:45 Yeah.
11:59:46 That's amazing.
11:59:48 Well, thank you both of you, and to Jay even though he left for joining this for this episode of Diversibility Amplified and thank you Tiffany for joining this for this episode of Diversibility Amplified and thank you Tiffany for allowing me to post.
12:00:04 And happy Disability Pride.
12:00:06 Happy to Disability Pride.