Brooke engages in a candid discussion with special guest Nick Wilson about his journey with disability, exploring topics such as self-identity, mental health, and the challenges of navigating a world that is often inaccessible.

Through an authentic and frank discussion, they aim to promote inclusivity, understanding, and positivity within the disabled community, via a heartfelt and enlightening exploration of disability and resilience.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Understanding and accepting one's identity within the disability community is a journey that evolves over time, influenced by personal experiences and societal classifications.
• The importance of self-reflection and learning from past traumas to better understand one's emotions and behaviors, leading to personal growth and resilience.
• The power of vulnerability and authenticity in sharing one's story, creating connections and reducing feelings of isolation among individuals facing similar challenges.
• The impact of kindness and genuine human connection in supporting those struggling with mental health issues and suicidal thoughts, emphasising the importance of reaching out and offering support.
• The value of difficult conversations and raw honesty in raising awareness, promoting inclusivity, and making individuals feel seen and heard in a society that often overlooks their struggles.

BEST MOMENTS

"I think the biggest thing that I am proud of myself is how I've learned to be a better person." 

"I've seen the beauty of kindness, of gratitude, of belief, of community support, of true love from a stranger to a stranger." 

"I'm incredibly humbled, honoured. I can't find a word for when I get a message and they say, just listening to your story or you just saying this truth helps." 

"There's a lot to be said in being able to hold space for other people from a place of experience, and not just saying something for the sake of it."

VALUABLE RESOURCES

https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/disabled-and-proud/id1621152878

HOST BIO

Disabled and Proud is the show that brings listeners a different perspective on disability. Each week this podcast highlights an awesome disabled guest speaking about their own disability; why they are proud to be disabled and why they are proud to be themselves. 

The conversations in this show will look at what challenges these amazing people face socially, mentally, physically and life in general. This show is raw, open, honest, funny, welcoming and educational. 

Disabled & Proud does exactly what it says on the tin! And whilst we are creating this space for disabled people to be unashamedly themselves, without the need to conform to society, this is also not about toxic positivity. This show will be shining a big, bright light on disability without it being “Paralympic or pity”. 

As you will hear disability is WHOLE, COMPLETE & PERFECT and whilst the topic of disability can be quite heavy - and we definitely don't shy away from the bad days - this podcast is also about having fun too! Our aim is to play a part in reclaiming the word disability - turning it from inadequacy to perfection!