{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"Making It with Jess Ekstrom","title":"Making it to the World's Top 10 Paraclimbing Athletes with Tiffany Yu","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":1961,"description":"In this inspiring and eye-opening episode of Making It with Jess Ekstrom, Jess sits down in person with disability advocate, social entrepreneur, and author Tiffany Yu. Tiffany reflects on acquiring her disability at nine years old after a traumatic car accident that permanently paralyzed her arm. She opens up about the cultural shame, silence, and assimilation tactics she navigated for over a decade before eventually pivoting toward disability pride and community building. Tiffany breaks down the concept of the \"assumption funnel\" that systemically locks disabled people out of job markets and opportunities, while dismantling popular tropes like the \"hero's journey\" or \"overcoming\" disability. She also reveals how, at age 37, she began chasing joy by tapping into the interests of her nine-year-old self—a journey that ultimately led her to join the USA Paraclimbing Team with her eyes set on the LA 2028 Paralympics.\nEpisode Highlights\n\nThe \"Assumption Funnel\": Tiffany breaks down how societal assumptions—like assuming someone with a paralyzed arm cannot type or do an office job—create cascading barriers to employment, book deals, and basic accessibility.\nMoving Beyond Assimilation: How growing up in an immigrant household influenced Tiffany's early decisions to hide her disability and keep track of lies, and what finally sparked her journey toward disability pride.\nDismantling the \"Hero's Journey\": Why narratives framing disabled people as \"overcoming\" their disabilities or accomplishing goals \"in spite of\" them are harmful, and why language should reflect living with disability.\nHandling Unsolicited Advice & Microaggressions: The mental fatigue of navigating intrusive questions, viral comment sections, and unsolicited medical advice, alongside the concept of trying to be a \"sandbag clown\".\nReinventing Yourself at 37: How Tiffany re-engaged with hobbies her nine-year-old self loved, stepping onto a rock climbing wall 19 years after her accident despite...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/UeJn2_qX0SbHd9je8M1i3xYiHk_fwyHMoyDCBRs8oF8/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9mNTBk/MGE4MGJlZWNlNDM5/ZjAxOTM5MzA2ODI3/MzUwMS5wbmc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}