The sentiment of those suggesting the Olympics and Paralympics be combined is no doubt well intentioned. But it also echoes the myth that disabled people want to be other than what we are - that we'd like nothing more than to be 'allowed in' with the able-bodied competitors. Stella Young allowbodiedcombine share on social
As a wheelchair user, I am utterly obsessed with toilets, and all my friends know it. A simple invitation to the pub is consistently followed by, 'Do you know if they have an accessible toilet?' Stella Young accessibleconsistentlyfriend Change image and share on social
The problem for many people with disabilities is not that we are not able to work a certain number of hours a week. It's that no-one will let us. Stella Young disabilityhournumb Change image and share on social
I, like many women, buy into patriarchal standards of beauty every day. I very rarely leave the house without make-up. I dye my hair. I wear clothes that I choose carefully for how they make me look to the outside world. Stella Young beautybuycarefully share on social
In my own home, where I've been able to create an environment that works for me, I'm hardly disabled at all. I still have an impairment, and there are obviously some very restrictive things about that, but the impact of disability is less. Stella Young createdisabilitydisable share on social
Let's not forget that the Paralympics, just like the Olympics, are built on a rich history. Stella Young buildforgethistory Change image and share on social
The purpose of our justice system is to reflect the values of our society and to punish those who violate our standards. Stella Young justicepunishpurpose Change image and share on social
Physical access is one of the very first issues disability rights activists of the 1960s and '70s fought for. Stella Young 1960s70saccess Change image and share on social
I quickly learned that asking if an interview space was wheelchair accessible was a bad idea; it gave a potential employer an immediate bad impression. It was either a black mark against my name, or a straight up discussion of why I wouldn't be able to work there because they had no wheelchair access. Stella Young accessaccessiblebad share on social
In many ways, I'm incredibly lucky to have been born with my impairment and that it's visible. It means my path has been predictable. Stella Young bearimpairmentincredibly Change image and share on social