Brooke is joined by special guest, Chronically Jenni, to talk about about her journey with disability and chronic illness. Jenni shares insights on self-identification as disabled, navigating awareness of their conditions, and the importance of setting boundaries around sharing personal medical information.

The discussion delves into the challenges of being undiagnosed, facing medical negligence, and the impact of societal perceptions on using mobility aids. Jenni reflects on the importance of seeking help, accepting support, and prioritising mental health, highlighting the significance of self-care and self-advocacy in the journey of disability acceptance. 

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Jenni emphasises the importance of accepting and using mobility aids without feeling ashamed or judged, highlighting the need to prioritise personal health and well-being over societal perceptions.

We need to challenge and overcome ingrained beliefs to embrace necessary support.

By referencing the Equality Act's definition of disability, Jenni clarifies that disability encompasses a wide range of impairments and challenges, encouraging individuals to recognise and accept their disabilities without fear or hesitation.

Jenni shares her journey of seeking and accepting help for mental health issues, underscoring the importance of prioritising self-care, seeking support, and acknowledging the value of mental health assistance.

BEST MOMENTS

"I do a lot of work around awareness of my conditions. But I don't casually share my conditions with random people on the street." 

"I think it's such a tricky line and I think it's for every individual to kind of decide where they feel. I don't know, it's a tricky one because I know people who are just disabled, like they just use a wheelchair and that's the only disability they have."

"I needed the help. I needed the support desperately." 

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!