COMMUNITY
This space consists of disabled creators, educators, and activists who’ve disrupted and expanded my view of disability. Here you’ll find #ownvoice stories, social media accounts and representation that celebrates the diversity, resiliency, creativity & leadership of the disabled community.
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#OwnVoice Stories on Disability, Neurodivergence & Chronic Illness
A Non-exhaustive List of Disabled Creators, Educators & Activists
Judy Heumann (@theheumannperspective): “International Disability Rights Activist, Author of Being Heumann & Rolling Warrior, Featured in the Crip Camp” [became a disabled ancestor on March 4, 2023]
Imani Barbarin (@crutches_and_spice): “Comms Director, Disability Blogger, Content Creator, Public Speaker, Model, Actress”
Alice Wong (@disability_visability): “Author of debut memoir, YEAR OF THE TIGER, director & founder of the Disability Visibility project”
Mary Fashik 🏳️🌈 (@maryfashik): “Queer Disability Rights Activist, founder of Upgrade Accessibility, Public Speaker, award winning podcast host, children’s author”
Tiffany Yu (@imtiffanyyu): “🇹🇼🇻🇳 in LA, exploring what it means to be disabled & live well, #AntiAbleism series, #AntiAbleistBook, 3x TEDx speaker”
Catarina Rivera (@blindishlatina): “MSEd, MPH, Public Speaker, Educating leaders about disability, Disability Stigma Smasher, deaf + blind”
Andraéa LaVant (@andraealavant): “Cultural Changemaker Transforming the World for All, President of LaVant Consulting, Netflix’s Crip Camp, Black, Disabled and Proud”
Emily Ladau (@emilyladau): “♿️ I live life on wheels, co-host of The Accessible Stall, author of Demystifying Disability”
Talila “TL” Lewis (@talialewis): “Black queer neuroqueer, work in progress, committed to movement, rest, joy & freedom”
Dr. Akilah Cadet (@changecadet): “Founder + CEO Change Cadet, Change Mgmt + DEIB 🇭🇹, Forbes #Next1000, Author, Disabled, Writer, Host”
Jen White Johnson (@jtknoxroxs): “Disabled, Neurodivergent, Afro-Latina Artist, Educator for Disability Design & Justice, Archived at the Met Museum and National Museum of African American History and Culture”
Keah Maria (@keah_maria): “Author. Actor. Bi Icon🏳️🌈, Created #DisabledAndCute”
Isabel Mavrides-Calderón (@powerfullyisa): “18 nyc🇪🇨🇨🇺, Teen Vogue 21 under 21, let’s talk about disability rights”
Devin Norko (@mxdevin): “queer disabled advocate, ND, writer, artist, speaker, HoH, intersectional consultant, cat mama 🌈✨🌱🧑🏾🦽🤟🏾♑️”
Carly Findlay (@carlyfindlay): “writer, appearance activist, speaker, new roller skater, wears the rainbow, Face Equality International Ambassador”
Shelby (@shelbykinsxo): “Your favourite disabled Bratz doll 💋”
Anna Sarol (@annasarol): “Disability Advocate, Wheelchair User Edition ♿️”
Timothy Boykin (@blackinfinityking): “I love movies, music, arts and culture
Accomplished Author: (Timster's World: So what makes you so special?)
Singer, Actor”Lauren Melissa Ellzey (@autienelle): “♾ Autistic self-advocate & author, Self-acceptance & self-compassion, Autistics nurturing autistics toward true inclusion”
Morgan Harper Nichols (@morganharpernichols): “Autistic/ADHD artist and MFA in Interdisciplinary Media Arts candidate exploring creativity as a way of nurturing curiosity & making room to breath”
Jameisha Prescod (@youlookokaytome): “digital space for the #chronicillness people dem”
Saida Ahmed (@saisai_saida): “Actress, Poet & Published Writer ♿️ ♎️”
Eliza Rain 🏳️🌈 (@disabled_eliza): “A rainbow rolling around London, ♿️Disabled🌈Colourful🦈Shark enthusiast”
Spencer West (@spencer2thewest): “Gay/Disabled Content Creator 🏳️🌈♿️”
Sarah Todd Hammer (@sarahtoddhammer): “Disability advocate, 3-time published author, dancer, speaker & activist, combating ableism one day at a time”
Busy Being Disabled (@busybeingdisabled): “disabled living & sustainable fashion, chronically ill & neurodivergent, writer, 🇬🇧 🧠, comfy, fun & slow style”
Nina Tame (@nina_tame): “The Wheel Housewife of Essex, Bit gobby, Sometimes sweary, Always colourful 💖🌈👩🏻🦽”
Jenni (@chronicallyjenni): “Disabled Model & Creator, Chronic Illness Hacks & Mobility Aid Tips, Awareness for EDS, POTS +, 🇬🇧 Essex”
Jillian Ilana (@jill_ilana): “Dwarfism awareness blogger and advocate”
Sam Slupski (@theyaresam): “mental health + queerness + cozy ‘fits + home, non-binary 🏳️🌈, writer & educator, creator of Healing Field Notes”
Brandon Farbstein (@farbstein): “23 year old renowned speaker, gen z activist and author born with an extremely rare form of dwarfism”
Shane Burcaw (@shaneburcaw): “award-winning author, YouTube: Squirmy and Grubs, Podcast: Junkyard Mayhem Podcast”
Chelsea Bear (@realchelseabear): “sharing Cerebral Palsy through my lens, education leads to understanding”
Sydney Anne (@the.annegirl): “Functional Neurological Disorder/FND, Mobility Aid User, here to help you gain confidence and hope with your chronic illness!”
Brittany (@bybrittanyleigh): “facial difference & chronic illness, a space for all things advocacy and vulnerable conversations”
Online Communities & Orgs by and for Disabled Folks
Diversability (@diversability): “Elevating disability pride, together — community, visability, allyship — 100% disabled team of 8, founded by Tiffany Yu”
Upgrade Accessibility (@upgradeaccessibility): “Disability Rights, Disability Justice, Accessibility, Equity, Black Disables Lives Matter”
Chronicon (@chroniconofficial): “health & wellness website featured in Forbes, Allure, News Week, and Vogue India”
American Association of People with Disabilities (@aapdofficial): “Works to increase political & economic power of the disability community, #REVUP, #DisabilityVote”
My Dearest Friends Project (@mydearestfriendsproject): “An art collaboration centering disability, created by DisArt and Oaklee Thiele”
Generation Patient (@generationpatient): “Bringing together young adults with chronic & rare conditions”
A Non-Exhaustive List of MS Creators, Educators & Advocates
Moyna John-Caraballo (@lifewithmoyna): “Chronically ill, fat & fabulous, MS Advocate, a #blackms journey”
Natalie B (@thenerveofmyms): “Multiple Sclerosis Journey 🇬🇧🇬🇭, RRMS dx Nov 2016, HSCT London Dec 2021”
May Ling Kopecky 美灵 (@mayling.k): “Artist, diagnosed with MS at 15 (2010), learning specialist”
Marti Hines (@martis_mslife): “MS Warrior, Brain Surgery Survivor, Filmmaker, CEO, Professional Bath Taker, Phenomenal Black Woman”
Selma Blair (@selmablair): “Actor, New York Times Bestselling Author, Mean Baby”
Crys (@crystalbedoya): “Mexicana 🇲🇽, life with #EsclerosisMultiple, haciendo lo invisible visible (making the invisible visible)”
Damian Washington (@damianwashington): “I help newly diagnosed and veteran multiple sclerosis patients learn more about the condition and feel less alone.”
Samantha Salvaggio Vanderman (@slsalvaggio): “MS dx 2005, NASM, CPT, BCS, MSN, Helping people w/ chronic illnesses feel less alone + more empowered to live their best life”
Clare Reilly (@clare.reilly): “MS Understood Podcast Host, MS Advocate”
Scarlett Ward (@scarlett.ward): “ 🪐🌙💖🤍🧡🦊🏳️🌈 writer, space poet, director of Fawn Press”
Ashleigh Rose (@arose): “empowerment coach, fostering a safe + authentic space for lose living with chronic illness, multiple sclerosis + graves”
MS Visibility (*denotes #ownvoice story)
