I currently live independently without any funded support. I'm educated, and I'm employed. I enjoy paying my taxes and contributing to the economic life of Australia. Stella Young australiacontributeeconomic Change image and share on social
The magnitude of discrimination and stigma faced by people with disability in Australia cannot be underestimated. People do not understand disability, and people fear what they don't understand. Stella Young australiadisabilitydiscrimination Change image and share on social
We fill our lives with all sorts of things that make it easier for us to get along in the world: wheelchairs, crutches, grabber sticks, hearing aids, canes, guide dogs, modified vehicles, ramps, as well as other kinds of services and supports. Disability does not necessarily mean dependence on other people. Stella Young aidcanecrutch share on social
Let me make this clear: my impairment is such that without a wheelchair, I can't do very much for myself. I can't get out of bed. I can't get myself to the toilet. I certainly can't get myself to work. Stella Young bedclearimpairment share on social
I am repeatedly asked in interviews exactly 'what's wrong' with me, and I always give them the same answer; I don't identify the name of my condition in an interview unless it's relevant to the context of the story. Stella Young answeraskcondition share on social
Apologies are great, but they don't really change anything. You know what does? Action. Stella Young actionapologychange Change image and share on social
Disability informs almost every part of my life. It's as important, if not more so, than my gender and sexuality. It's certainly a great deal more important to me than my religion or whether or not I caught a tram, ferry or bus to work. Stella Young buscatchdeal share on social
I use the term 'disabled people' quite deliberately, because I subscribe to what's called the social model of disability, which tells us that we are more disabled by the society that we live in than by our bodies and our diagnoses. Stella Young bodycalldeliberately share on social
For me, in some ways, my whole life is a bit performative and always has been - because I'm stared at and looked at everywhere I go. Stella Young bitelifelook Change image and share on social
It became very clear to me that Yooralla was not as interested in media coverage that explored issues faced by people with disability as it was in giving a pat on the back to journalists who maintained the status quo by giving readers the warm and fuzzies over their morning paper. Stella Young backclearcoverage share on social