How do you find your place in the world?
Many people find it challenging to make connections that give us a sense of meaning and that we’re fulfilling our purpose. People with disabilities often face additional obstacles to making a place for themselves in the world, whether they’re situational, structural, or rooted in stigma and assumptions.
So how do we change the attitudes that underpin the policies and programs that frequently limit the ways in which people with disabilities are able to take their place in the world? It starts with empathy, respect, and self-determination.
Listen to the full episode to hear:
- How stigma and assumptions form obstacles for people with disabilities to make meaningful connections
- How existing support programs and policies disempower people with disabilities from achieving their potential and desires
- Why people with disabilities need to advocate for community needs beyond just their own
- How making self-determination visible could help change the narrative of what people with disabilities can achieve
- Why a seat at the table isn’t enough if disabled voices aren’t centered
Learn more about Molly Kennedy
What is Be Determined?
Be Determined is an intimate look at building a self-determined, multi-faceted life with cerebral palsy. Each episode explores themes of identity, resilience, diversity, advocacy, relationships, and community and challenges conventional narratives about disability. Host Molly Kennedy shares her experiences and invites others to share their stories—stories of navigating a world not designed with them in mind and the wisdom they've gained along the way. While cerebral palsy shapes how Molly experiences the world, it does not define her. In her words, "What defines me is my determination, my achievements, and the lasting impact I strive to make on my community."