Everything You Know About Disability is Wrong is a podcast for the disability community by the disability community, hosted by two disabled women. But if you're not disabled, listen in to learn about real issues, celebrations, and conversations disabled people are having in their communities.
Episode Summary
Podcast: Everything You Know About Disability is Wrong
Episode: Episode 6
Welcome to Everything You Know About Disability is Wrong, a podcast by disabled people for disabled people. But, if you're not disabled, stick around! You might learn something new.
In today’s episode, our hosts Erin and Lily are joined by Jameela Jamil, who has Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) and has been an advocate bringing EDS into mainstream vocabulary. After our hosts introduce themselves to Jameela, she shares her own views about her disability. She was diagnosed with EDS when she was 9 years old in the 80s, when no one was familiar with the condition. Because most women aren’t diagnosed with EDS until their late 20s or 30s, unknown risks are a challenge. Jameela notes the major difference in how she was treated in crutches or a wheelchair vs. without them as her major source of inspiration behind disability advocacy.
When it comes to reversing the stigma around mental illness and disability, Jameela explains that representation is everything. There is a huge need for the media to portray characters who also lead complex, rich lives outside of their disabilities. Then, Jameela shares about her experience with the Easterseals Disability Film Challenge. She recounts the wholesome atmosphere and how much she would have appreciated something like that when she was younger. There is a real drive for society to want to hide people with disabilities away for their differences. This is all funded by capitalism, the system which has a huge fear of anyone who steps outside of the boundaries. This is why Jameela ultimately decided to start her own podcast where she can freely voice her own opinions. Speaking of the ways capitalism shuns people who don’t fit its strict standards, Jameela highlights her new all-inclusive exercise movement called Move for Your Mind.
Jameela explains that when she was younger, she felt totally alone and isolated. However, realizing that conditions similar to hers were actually quite pervasive is what inspired her to the advocacy path. If we don't continue the conversation around disabilities in public, the abusive systems will continue to exist. Her belief is that exposing these systems is the biggest step to destroying them. Before wrapping up, Erin and Lilly share about their own goals within the industry. Finally, Jameela speaks to finding the balance between the politics of representation and the pleasure aspect of life. She is learning to accept that she doesn’t have to sacrifice her own sanity to break through every single glass ceiling herself. In closing, Jameela shares what people most often get wrong about her.
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