06/12/2015
Some great links here for and about young people with disability. Vale Stella. Thank you for being fierce and flawed. ###
Today we're honoring the life and wisdom of Australian comedian, journalist, and disability rights advocate Stella Young in recognition of International Day of Persons with Disabilities. A well-known activist in her home country, Young became famous worldwide last year when her TED talk, "I'm not your inspiration, thank you very much," went viral. Mark Scott, her former colleague, summed up Young's immense influence, stating that "Stella helped us understand disability issues by sharing with a raw honesty about her own life and forcing us to reconsider how we think about disability and create an environment where those with disability can best get on with their own lives.”
Born in Stawell, Victoria, Young was diagnosed early in her life with osteogenesis imperfecta, a congenital bone disorder that Young often described as "having really dodgy bones." As a result, she used a wheelchair for most of her life. From the age of 14, she started campaigning on behalf of the disabled community, challenging stereotypes and raising awareness about the need for improved accessibility. Her path eventually took her to a career as both a written and broadcast journalist, covering both day-to-day issues around disabilities and large events, like the 2012 Paralympic Games.
Young particularly fought against what she called “inspiration porn”: the idea that, if a person with a disability accomplishes anything, even day-to-day responsibilities, they are an inspiration to others. In her TED talk, she said, “I want to live in a world where we don't have such low expectations of disabled people that we are congratulated for getting out of bed and remembering our own names in the morning... Disability doesn't make you exceptional, but questioning what you think you know about it does.”
With her characteristic directness and good-humor, Young was also clear about how she wanted to be remembered. After an acquaintance with a similar bone condition died and people began to liken her to a snowflake on social media, Young wrote: "In case I get hit by a bus tomorrow, I want to make something clear. I am not a snowflake. I am not a sweet, infantilizing symbol of fragility and life. I am a strong, fierce, flawed adult woman. I plan to remain that way, in life and in death." Stella Young passed away nearly one year ago on December 6 at the age of 32.
To watch her thoughtful TED talk, "I'm not your inspiration, thank you very much," visit http://bit.ly/1zeUBXC
For more true stories of more inspiring girls and women who worked to change the world, visit our ‘Activist Biography’ section at http://amgrl.co/1R6cGAu
To introduce your children to stories starring Mighty Girls with a range of disabilities, visit our "People with Disabilities" section at http://amgrl.co/1MD4VvH
Among the stories featured is "Zoom!", a humorous picture book about a young girl with a love of speed and her very special wheelchair for ages 4 to 8 (http://www.amightygirl.com/zoom) and "Susan Laughs," a picture book starring a girl who happens to use a wheelchair for ages 4 to 7 (http://www.amightygirl.com/susan-laughs)
And, for many books for children and teens that encourage acceptance of differences, be they due to gender, race, ethnicity, religion, class, sexual orientation, appearance, or ability, check out our "Tolerance & Acceptance" book section at http://amgrl.co/1J8VTaN
