Limb difference, disability and workplace diversity – with Ruth Rathblott
Beyond 6 Seconds: Neurodiversity stories from neurodivergent people
02/28/22
•37m
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For 25 years, Ruth Rathblott hid her limb difference.
She doesn't hide it anymore. As she explained in her recent TEDx Talk: when she stopped hiding, she found freedom.
Ruth has been a leader in nonprofit organizations for more than 25 years, with 15 years at Big Brothers Big Sisters of New York City, and more than eight years as CEO of the Harlem Educational Activities Fund. She currently serves as a Board Member of The Lucky Fin Project. She speaks about inclusion and diversity, the gifts of being unique and the freedom that comes with accepting your differences.
During this episode, you will hear Ruth talk about:
- Her decision to start hiding her limb difference as a teenager, and how it impacted her mental and physical health for decades
- The people in her life who encouraged her to stop hiding and start sharing her personal experience with disability
- The chance encounter in a store where she first learned about the wider community of people with limb differences
- How people have reacted to seeing her limb difference – and how kids react differently than adults
- Her mission to convince companies to include disability in their definitions of workplace diversity
For more about Ruth and her work, follow her on LinkedIn and check out her website www.ruthrathblott.com.
Watch Ruth's TEDx Talk: When I stopped hiding, I found freedom
Watch the video of this interview on YouTube!
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Click here for the episode transcript.
*Disclaimer: The views, guidance, opinions, and thoughts expressed in Beyond 6 Seconds episodes are solely mine and/or those of my guests, and do not represent those of my employer or other organizations.*
Previous Episode
Phenomenally Autistic – with Ayanna Davis
February 21, 2022
•19m
Ayanna Davis, also known as phenomenallyautistic on social media, is an autism advocate who was born & raised in Westchester County, New York. Along with being autistic, she has survived over 300 seizures, is living with chronic illnesses and has 3 autoimmune diseases. She is passionate about spreading her messages of self love, joy, equality, diversity, inclusion, and autism awareness & acceptance through the arts. She is also a children's book illustrator, designer, former choreographer, and lover of all performing arts.
During this episode, you will hear Ayanna talk about:
- How her love of the arts helped her while growing up as a Black girl with undiagnosed autism
- Her work as a children's book illustrator and a choreographer
- The challenges Black women face when trying to get an autism diagnosis
- Living with chronic illnesses during the pandemic
- Her goals for her art and advocacy
To find out more about her work, you can find Ayanna at @phenomenallyautistic on Instagram and TikTok and check out her coloring book, We Are Magical.
Watch the video of this interview on YouTube!
Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for early access to new episodes!
Click here for the episode transcript.
*Disclaimer: The views, guidance, opinions, and thoughts expressed in Beyond 6 Seconds episodes are solely mine and/or those of my guests, and do not represent those of my employer or other organizations.*
Next Episode
Tourette Syndrome in the public eye – with Seamus Evans
March 14, 2022
•44m
At his first job as a TV host, Seamus Evans disclosed his Tourette Syndrome. That revelation almost ended his dream career.
Fortunately Seamus didn't lose his job. In fact, he spent the next 13 years in his dream career, entertaining his fellow Australians as a TV and radio personality. Now he is an ambassador for Tourette Syndrome Association Australia and a keynote speaker who shares his story to inspire and encourage kids and adults with Tourette's.
In this episode, Seamus talks about his experience growing up with Tourette's, how he taught himself to transform his tics (both on and off the air), how his sense of humor helps him in social situations, and why he encourages everyone to embrace their flaws – because in Seamus' words, "normal is boring."
To learn more about Seamus and his work, you can find him at the following links below:
Watch the video of this interview on YouTube!
Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for early access to new episodes!
Click here for the episode transcript.
*Disclaimer: The views, guidance, opinions, and thoughts expressed in Beyond 6 Seconds episodes are solely mine and/or those of my guests, and do not necessarily represent those of my employer or other organizations.*
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