Challenging Ableism and Embracing Disability - with David Burroughs
06/11/24 • 48 min
Brooke meets David, a wheelchair user with cerebral palsy who shares his journey and experiences with disability. David discusses his childhood surgeries, the impact of his disability on his education, and the challenges he faced in the workplace. He also talks about the creation of Buddies For All, a social isolation tackling initiative born out of the pandemic.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- David created a platform called Buddies For All to tackle social isolation among disabled individuals, providing opportunities for social and leisure activities.
- There are challenges in navigating the university experience as a mature student, highlighting issues of ableism and social integration.
- David shares experiences of ableism in the workplace, emphasizing the importance of addressing uncomfortable conversations around disability.
- We require nuanced conversations and discomfort in addressing misconceptions.
- We need to take a nuanced view on being disabled and proud, acknowledging that it depends on the day and circumstances, reflecting the complexity of disability identity.
BEST MOMENTS
"The trouble with me is I can't see, my good points tend to focus on the bad stuff, so I tend to feed that to other people too."
"I suppose that I never give up, I keep trying. So it's a never say die attitude."
"I do think that point is really quite key is that sometimes it is a yes or no answer, and it completely depends upon the person."
"Kids being curious around disability is a good thing because it's almost like it gives you a moment to be like, do you know what, like being disabled, like it happens, it's fine."
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!
Brooke meets David, a wheelchair user with cerebral palsy who shares his journey and experiences with disability. David discusses his childhood surgeries, the impact of his disability on his education, and the challenges he faced in the workplace. He also talks about the creation of Buddies For All, a social isolation tackling initiative born out of the pandemic.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- David created a platform called Buddies For All to tackle social isolation among disabled individuals, providing opportunities for social and leisure activities.
- There are challenges in navigating the university experience as a mature student, highlighting issues of ableism and social integration.
- David shares experiences of ableism in the workplace, emphasizing the importance of addressing uncomfortable conversations around disability.
- We require nuanced conversations and discomfort in addressing misconceptions.
- We need to take a nuanced view on being disabled and proud, acknowledging that it depends on the day and circumstances, reflecting the complexity of disability identity.
BEST MOMENTS
"The trouble with me is I can't see, my good points tend to focus on the bad stuff, so I tend to feed that to other people too."
"I suppose that I never give up, I keep trying. So it's a never say die attitude."
"I do think that point is really quite key is that sometimes it is a yes or no answer, and it completely depends upon the person."
"Kids being curious around disability is a good thing because it's almost like it gives you a moment to be like, do you know what, like being disabled, like it happens, it's fine."
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!
Previous Episode
Creating Change Through Inclusive Production - with Kelly from With Not For
Brooke talks to Kelly, the CEO and co-founder of With Not For, a dynamic and disruptive content and talent agency, to look at topics related to disability, acceptance, and their work experiences. They delve into Kelly's personal journey of acceptance as a wheelchair user and reflect on the complexities of navigating disability in different environments. The conversation also looks at their collaboration with Guinness on a project involving accessibility and inclusion at Twickenham Stadium, showcasing their commitment to creating positive change in the industry.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- The proudest moment for Kelly was when they said no to someone for the first time, realising the power and responsibility they have in shaping their company's values and working with the right people.
- The experience of working on the Guinness project, especially the pitch-side moment during the England versus Ireland match, was a significant achievement and a memorable experience.
- Kelly and her team provided training and consultation to England Rugby and Scotland Rugby, focusing on enhancing accessibility and inclusivity for disabled fans during match days.
- Building a strong community of like-minded individuals within With Not For, where everyone feels supported, respected, and valued, was emphasised as a key achievement and source of pride.
BEST MOMENTS
"I think honestly, my proudest moment, I think that the Guinness pitch side moment was up there, you know, when you're up there, especially as well when Rag and Bone Man came on."
"The first time we said no to someone... that is huge and I don't want to sound negative in any way but I think that that was the moment where it really clicked for me
"That might have been the best day of my life!"
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!
Next Episode
Navigating Acquired Disability and Chronic Illness in Early Adulthood
Brooke has a candid conversation with Hannah, a guest who shares her journey of acquiring a disability in her early 20s and navigating life with chronic illness. Hannah discusses her experience with complex chronic illness, ME, and endometriosis, highlighting the challenges of being diagnosed and the stigma surrounding invisible illnesses. She reflects on the impact of her disabilities on her career choices and the process of accepting her authentic disabled self. The conversation delves into the differences in disability perception between the UK and the Netherlands, emphasising the importance of being able to show up as one's full disabled self.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Hannah's journey of showing up as her full disabled self in Amsterdam highlights the importance of embracing authenticity and setting boundaries without feeling the need to conform to societal expectations.
Hannah's insight on grief being an ongoing and ever-changing process emphasises the need to accept and live alongside grief rather than trying to overcome it completely.
The comparison between the UK and the Netherlands in terms of prescription painkillers showcases the significance of a morally neutral approach to pain relief, allowing for more collaborative and sustainable treatment options.
Hannah's experience of living a slower-paced, authentic life in Amsterdam and inspiring her friends to reconsider their own lifestyles highlights the power of leading by example and sparking positive change in others.
BEST MOMENTS
"There's such a distinct before and now there's the people who knew you before you got sick, the ways you were, the things you did."
"I think the one other thing I want to say about culture, which I think is quite important for people who live with chronic pain, is I find, at least in my experience, there's a much more morally neutral view to prescription painkillers."
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!
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