Brooklyn Einwiller B.A.’s Post

Increasing awareness of the Paralympics and Paralympians, advocacy, legacy: "Young children with disabilities are seeing more people like them succeed and achieve their dreams"... #paralympics #disabilitysports #parasports #paralympicsport #sportandsociety #2024parisparalympics https://lnkd.in/gb9rMihu

Well done

videos of the first disabled wheelchair marathon in Hunan Province

In this episode, We discuss our in depth conversations around disability accessibility, PROWAG, Motion picture & entertainment fields and the 2028 Olympics & Paralympics in LA. It was long days but great conversations. Ready to head back east to continue the work. #RAMPisinclusion #RAMPredbag #ADA33 #betheIDEA #TinaTables #unapologeticallyme #accessibilitymatters #inclusionmatters #wheellife #SpinalCordInjury

We all navigate this world differently. Our own thoughts and beliefs are often the culmination of previous tangible experiences which shape our life journeys. I've said it before and I will say it again - Disability requires nuance. YET This message that using a mobility aid makes you uncool, less desirable, and lazy is damaging (this is not only ableism, but a lot of internalised ableism too). When you have a public platform, and have a rather weighty surname behind you, you have a responsibility to not enforce those negative tropes whether you like it or not. This message co-signs the idea that disabled people are less desirable, uncool and lazy, regardless of its initial intent. What is so sad and disappointing is that this was done unconsciously, and to rounds of applause from the audience. You are NOT less worthy, less desirable or less cool because you use a mobility aid. https://lnkd.in/eyT66Msu

Our younger division trying the bring sally up challenge💪 #BringSallyUpChallenge #PushUpChallenge #GrindMode #StrengthTraining #NoPainNoGain #HardWorkPaysOff #TeamChallenge #FitnessGoals #StayHungry #OneDayAtATime #BodyweightWorkout #BasketballTraining #MentalToughness

The question addresses both motivation and timeline, raising the question of how long individuals with disabilities will be compelled to advocate for their respect and dignity. With inherent human qualities identical to ours, it is vital to acknowledge them as individuals first, before recognizing their disabilities. LOGOS Transformation believes in the capabilities and introduces a sustainable model for dignified livelihoods. Dr Annie Theodore Abhishek Gier Aman Ratnasamy Jaya Chakravarti Charles J Rajiv Samuel Mani https://lnkd.in/gTn82Fa5

Segregated vs Inclusive The extreme #inclusion advocates demand that #specialschools and #supportedemployment be eliminated because they are “segregated”. They say that these specialised services for people with intellectual disability cannot be seen as real choices because it’s the only option available . So it always surprises me to see other segregated events and settings be celebrated without any such protest. The latest one is the section of our swimming team for the Olympics (see story below). It’s a fabulous event celebrated by all -including me - and now they include the #Paralympic cohort as well. So what’s the problem you might say? Swimming athletes with intellectual disability -and many other types of disability - are not included because there is no opportunity for them to compete in Paris . That’s fine by me because I know it’s impossible to make everything fully inclusive for all. But I want everyone to see these events for what they inherently are -segregated. This story shows why Choices are so important for real inclusion and how one size can never fit all. It also shows why labels like segregated or inclusive are increasingly unhelpful. We should be talking about belonging and wellbeing because that’s what matters. #inclusion Liz Gosper OAM

📣 It's been a bit of a difficult few days in the world of #disability, but as a fellow cerebral palsy-haver, something really struck a chord with me when I saw the latest interview with Nicolas Hamilton on Loose Women.   ♿ In discussing his life and journey so far, he made some incredibly sad and vulnerable admissions: Nicolas feared that life using a wheelchair would be 'bleak', he'd struggle to find loving and fulfilling relationships, and that people often infantilised him when he used his mobility aids. He admits that he felt he'd become 'lazy' in using his wheelchair as an ambulatory wheelchair user. He mentions that as a result of some of these experiences, he decided he would no longer use his wheelchair and began walking (and hasn't used a wheelchair in the 16 years since). This admission was greeted by rapturous applause from the audience.   Whilst I can definitely relate to some of these feelings (I too have #CerebralPalsy, use walking sticks when I need and understand some of the frustrations around mobility aid use), I am so sad that - in 2024 - disabled people feel that in order to live their lives successfully, they must ascribe to the 'norm'. That they must - wherever possible - 'overcome' this very integral part of themselves, 'against all odds'.   It's true that our experiences are our own, and that Nicolas's feelings and experiences of his disability are valid and real, but this whole discussion could have been framed in a much more impactful way. ❔What if - instead of praising someone for walking, even if it causes more pain, fatigue, and mental exertion - we normalised mobility aid use? What if - instead of using words like 'overcome', or 'battle' or 'fight', we taught people that they are worthy and valued, just as they are?   I have so many thoughts on this. I truly don't believe Nicolas intended to cause upset: I think he's got a lot of internalised ableism, which takes a lot to undo (and something I am guilty of having). But this incredible platform could have been used for so much good, and I am concerned that this has provided the wrong message.   To the disabled community - and particularly ambulatory #wheelchair users - please remember that you are valid, worthy and valuable, whether you use a mobility aid or not. It is not lazy to find ways of living that help you to be your best self: it is #brave. It is #bold. And it is ALWAYS okay to be unapologetically you, disability and all. #accessibility #authenticity

Are you watching the Paralympic Games? Are you inspired? We should all be inspired by the extraordinary athleticism of our Para-athletes. However we need to also be mindful that we aren't using images or footage of disabled people to make ourselves feel better about our own lives. When we look at images of disabled people and objectify them, it is known as "Inspiration Porn", a term coined by remarkable disability advocate, Stella Young. It happens when non disabled people look at disabled people and think or say 'well at least my life isn't that bad' or 'if they can do it with no legs then I can definitely do it'. These ideas and statements signify the comparison between disabled and non disabled people and reiterate this idea that disability is a bad thing, and disabled people lead mediocre lives. I'm here to tell you that my disability is not bad. It is a beatiful part of my existence. When you look at me, by all means be inspired by my achievements, but don't be inspired by the fact I can achieve day to day tasks like mopping my floors. That is not inspiring. Simply living with disability is not inspiring or remarkable. Living with disability is part of the human existence. So let's get back to marveling at the elite athletes currently competing at the Paralympic Games! International Paralympic Committee #inspirationporn #disabilityawareness #disabledisnotbad #imnotyourinspiration In this video I was interviewed by Lauren Orrell for Special Broadcasting Service (SBS) Australia, this is an edited version of the full episode also featuring Madeleine Stewart, comedian and producer & fellow Australian Paralympian Carlie Beattie