12/03/2025
On this International Day of People with Disabilities, there are *so many* stories we could share of activists, advocates and ordinary disabled folks who have changed the world, but the one that comes to mind is the late Stella Young, and her delightful Ted Talk, “I’m not your inspiration, thank you very much.” An oldie but a goodie, this presentation explores the problematic nature of disability as “inspiring”. Hope you’ll be inspired to watch it!
Video Description: Stella Young, a young white woman with short blonde hair wearing a black shirt with a geometric pattern uses a power wheelchair to deliver a talk to a large audience from a stage. Behind her on stage large letters read Ted X Sydney. Captions available.
https://www.ted.com/talks/stella_young_i_m_not_your_inspiration_thank_you_very_much?ir
Stella Young is a comedian and journalist who happens to go about her day in a wheelchair — a fact that doesn't, she'd like to make clear, automatically turn her into a noble inspiration to all humanity. In this very funny talk, Young breaks down society's habit of turning disabled people into "in...