Disabled and Proud

In this episode of "Disabled and Proud," host Brooke engages in a heartfelt conversation with Anna Taylor, Chairwoman of the RNIB. A charitiy that specialises in helping to improve the lives of the blind and visually impared. Anna shares her journey of living with sight loss and the challenges she has faced throughout her life. From her early diagnosis of ocular cutaneous albinism to her experienc...

In this episode of "Disabled and Proud," Brooke speaks with Nicole Brennan. Together they explore the complexities of motherhood and disability, exploring the internalised ableism that often accompanies these experiences. The conversation highlights the transformative journey of accepting one's body and identity as a disabled mother, particularly in the face of societal expectations and scrutiny f...

Brooke talks to Catrina from People First, an organisation dedicated to supporting adults with learning disabilities and those who are neurodiverse. They discuss the alarming rise in hate crimes against individuals with disabilities and the proactive measures taken through the Safe Bus Streets initiative, which empowers community members with safety strategies and self-advocacy tools. They also ta...

Brooke engages in a thought-provoking conversation with her friend, Rachel, a passionate advocate for disability inclusion in the workplace. They discuss Rachel's experience as a Churchill Fellow, where she explored best practices for building inclusive work cultures that prioritise disabled individuals. They also look at the nuances of reasonable adjustments, the impact of AI on employment, and t...

Brooke talks to film director Rick Stanton about his film "Spectrum," which he wrote and directed. The film offers a unique portrayal of autism through the lens of his brother, who plays the lead character. Rick discusses the creative process behind the film, including the decision to cast authentically and the artistic choices that contribute to its raw, realistic feel. He emphasises the importan...

In this episode of "Disabled and Proud," Brooke talks with Scott Whitney in a thought-provoking discussion about the recent reforms to Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and universal credit in the UK. He highlights the misconceptions surrounding disability benefits, particularly the unfounded belief in widespread fraud, and emphasises the importance of PIP as a means to maintain independence rat...

Brooke is joined by special guest, Jordan Jarrett-Bryant, to discuss the exhilarating yet exhausting experience of covering live events, the challenges of staying updated in a fast-paced environment, and the importance of storytelling in sports journalism. Together they focus on the evolving landscape of media, highlighting how digital platforms have transformed audience engagement and representat...

Brooke meets special guests Liselle Terrett and Heather Johnson to engage in a vibrant discussion about their groundbreaking project, "Not F**king Sorry" a provocative cabaret theatre piece that challenges societal norms surrounding disability and queerness. They explore the fluidity of identity, the importance of creating safe spaces for marginalised voices, and the collaborative process of devel...

Brooke holds an empowering conversation with Tiffany Yu, author of the "Anti-Ableism Manifesto" exploring the evolving language around disability, the personal journeys of disabled individuals, and the importance of community and representation. Tiffany shares her experiences of navigating life with both apparent and non-apparent disabilities, reflecting on her childhood before and after her accid...

Brooke welcomes Aaron Fowler, a visually impaired rugby player and physio, for an engaging conversation about his journey in the world of VI rugby. Aaron shares his experiences with retinitis pigmentosa, discussing the challenges of growing up with sight loss and the importance of community support. The episode delves into the unique adaptations of visually impaired rugby, including the use of an...

Brooke reconnects with former guest, Jess for a heartfelt conversation about the evolving landscape of disability pride in the UK and the US. Jess shares her personal journey of moving from London to Chicago, navigating a divorce, and re-entering the dating scene as a disabled woman. The duo explores the stark differences in societal attitudes towards disability in both countries, touching on the...

Brooke talks with Nana, who shares his unique perspective on living with a disability. Nana discusses his childhood experiences, including the moment he learned about his tracheostomy and how it shaped his understanding of himself. The conversation delves into the challenges of navigating school systems that often lack proper support for disabled students, as well as the impact of societal percept...

Brooke sits down with Terri, a passionate advocate for disability representation and the founder of a charity focused on supporting individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS). Terri shares her journey of navigating life with an invisible disability, discussing the challenges of obtaining a diagnosis and the misconceptions surrounding disabilities. The conversation highlights the importance of commun...

Brooke talks to Ahbid Choudry, a passionate advocate for disability rights and the founder of Cabability, a service dedicated to providing wheelchair-accessible transportation. Ahbid shares his personal journey of living with a disability, emphasising the importance of dignity over equality and the need for compassion in the treatment of disabled individuals. He reflects on his challenging childho...

Brooke is joined by the marvellous Adam Fare, who shares his journey of living with multiple disabilities, including autism, ADHD, chronic bowel issues, and an eating disorder. He reflects on his childhood, struggling with undiagnosed conditions and the challenges he faced in school. Despite facing burnout and difficult medical decisions, Adam emphasises the importance of setting boundaries and be...

Brooke welcomes Kirsty and Xander from Our Chaotic Adventure, a couple who met while playing wheelchair basketball. They talk about their personal experiences with disability, including Kirsty's journey from childhood with a disability to becoming an amputee, and Xander's sudden spinal injury that led to paralysis. They discuss their perspectives on disability, the medicalisation of disabilities,...

Brooke talks to Pippa, a guest with ME, about her journey so far, including the challenges of managing symptoms like fatigue and chronic pain. She highlights the importance of trusting one's intuition and seeking answers when dealing with a chronic illness. The conversation also delves into the impact of Pippa's diagnosis on her life, from being a dancer to transitioning to a writer. Pippa also to...

Brooke takes a solo approach to highlight the powerful messages shared by the audience about Disability Pride Month. Through reading and discussing four standout responses, she delves into the importance of embracing disability pride, breaking societal molds, promoting visibility, and advocating for representation in various spheres of life.  KEY TAKEAWAYS Disability pride is an antidote for inter...

Brooke welcomes special guests Nick and Isaac, to discuss the concept of Disability Pride and share their personal journeys towards embracing their disabilities. They emphasise the importance of authenticity and being true to oneself, highlighting the power of sharing personal stories and experiences. They also reflect on the impact of being open and honest about their disabilities, both online an...

This week, Brooke welcomes Jamie and Celia on Disabled and Proud's Disability Pride Month special. They discuss their personal experiences with disability pride, unlearning ableism, and the challenges faced by the disabled community. Jamie shares a journey of overcoming internalised ableism and finding empowerment through meaningful employment, while Celia emphasises the importance of corporate re...

Brooke talks to Emma, the mother of a disabled child, about her experiences and insights. Emma shares her journey from pregnancy to raising her daughter, Dottie, who was born on her due date. She reflects on the challenges of navigating the healthcare system and advocating for Dottie's needs. Emma discusses the importance of authentic representation of disability in media and the power of storytel...

Brooke talks to Robert, a neurodivergent individual with dyspraxia and a cancer survivor, discussing his journey and experiences with disabilities. Robert shares insights on the lack of accessibility he faced during his cancer diagnosis and how it influenced his perspective on inclusivity. He delves into his inclusive design consultancy, Inclus, aiming to make consumer products more accessible for...

Brooke has a candid conversation with Hannah, a guest who shares her journey of acquiring a disability in her early 20s and navigating life with chronic illness. Hannah discusses her experience with complex chronic illness, ME, and endometriosis, highlighting the challenges of being diagnosed and the stigma surrounding invisible illnesses. She reflects on the impact of her disabilities on her care...

Brooke meets David, a wheelchair user with cerebral palsy who shares his journey and experiences with disability. David discusses his childhood surgeries, the impact of his disability on his education, and the challenges he faced in the workplace. He also talks about the creation of Buddies For All, a social isolation tackling initiative born out of the pandemic.  KEY TAKEAWAYS David created a pla...

Brooke talks to Kelly, the CEO and co-founder of With Not For, a dynamic and disruptive content and talent agency, to look at topics related to disability, acceptance, and their work experiences. They delve into Kelly's personal journey of acceptance as a wheelchair user and reflect on the complexities of navigating disability in different environments. The conversation also looks at their collabo...