Dr Maria Garcia: Towards a More Inclusive Future 🎙️

For this months episode we are joined by Maria, patient and doctor, who shares her experience and hopes for a more inclusive future.

We unpack many key issues in this episode, that challenge the way disabled people are perceived. Starting with the word ‘disabled’ itself, a term many in the community use with pride, but one which is still seen as negative by society. We talk about the importance of challenging terms such as ‘differently abled’ which don’t represent the experience of being disabled by an inaccessible society, in line with the social model of disability. We explore the way children speak so freely and with curiosity when learning about disability, but adults often shy away from asking questions.

[Image description: The image has a light blue background with a square photo in the center bordered like a Polaroid. The photo shows tall grass in a field glowing in the warm light of a setting sun. Below the photo, text reads: “Dr Maria Garcia: Towards a More Inclusive Future.” Beneath that, it says “Alive with Chronic Illness.” A small illustration of a microphone extends from the lower right corner toward the photo.]

My key takeaways:

• In order to build a more accessible future for all we need to educate people from a young age. Explain what being disabled is, and explore challenges people experience on a daily basis, building empathy and awareness.

  
  

• It’s also important we don’t forget there are many disabled children and young people growing up in a world that isn’t made for them to access. Where we can, we should advocate for a better future for the next generation.

  
  

• And finally, as a community we hold so much collective love, joy and resilience. Strength born out of necessity is still strength. Whoever you are, and wherever you are, be a little kinder to yourself today.

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Please note this newsletter is shared for general information purposes only, and is not medical advice.