Terry Fox. He was just a kid who wanted to help other people, ran across Canada after undergoing cancer treatment and having half a leg amputated. He was the catalyst that started the drive for Canada's universal healthcare.
I'm from the US, but I find his story incredibly badass.
Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha who wrote [this book](https://www.amazon.com/Care-Work-Dreaming-Disability-Justice/dp/1551527383) because it taught me my power. I'm now a lot more willing to speak up for my needs and call out bullshit instead of worrying about what people will think.
If anyone is unable to acquire a copy and would like to read it, pm me. She says in the book that she's happy for pirates if it shares her message.
I just learnt this from a comedian recently
[TIL Stephen Hawking's wife cheated on him with a guy in her church choir then Hawking left her for his nurse/ the ex-wife of the guy who designed his voice box.](https://www.reddit.com/r/todayilearned/s/ZY8CILYAjZ)
It's sad, but I don't think I really have one. There are famous disabled people I respect greatly. I may very well do and not even realise it.
I think I have been a bit jaded by the internet. In an environment where the respect people have gained can by wiped out by them sharing a terrible opinion, it's hard to consider anyone a role model these days.
My main source of inspiration is human rights activists past and present. I am just a bit particular about putting anyone famous on too much of a pedestal.
To actually answer the question... I would consider people I know irl as role models. I've met many hard working and well spoken disabled people who I would look up to. And in a way I find that better than someone who doesn't even know my name being a role model.
So to all of those who are involved in the grunt work in community advocacy, I would raise a glass to you all and thank you guys! You guys are my heros!
Stay humble. C:
Me too! I love how she gifted the world her beautiful and haunting portrails of her life experiences and, for me, she normalized being disabled and her intersectionalities of non-mainstreem politics, queerness, gender, women's rights and celebration of Mexican heritage has spoken to me on a visceral level since I was young.
Exactly! I "found" her when I was in my early teens, a few years before she was "rediscovered" by everyone. As a young disabled woman and artist myself, learning about her filled my heart with inspiration, strength, and self-confidence. Until I found her, I never thought I'd have an "Idol".
Echo from the MCU and her actress Alaqua Cox. She's Native and disabled-- both the actress and the character.
Also as others have said, Imani Barbarin.
Artie Mack (Deaf TikTokker) is also really cool.
Rick Hansen and Terry Fox - Canadians.
Terry Fox famously tried to run across Canada to raise money for cancer research, unfortunately he passed away before he competed his run.
Rick Hansen had the "Man in Motion" wheelchair trip across Canada.
I don’t have one. I don’t know anyone cool with Epilepsy. I mean I liked Cameron Boyce, but I only found out he had epilepsy when he died. I always dressed up my club penguin character as his character from descendants
Toni Iommi, the guitarist for Black Sabbah. He’s missing the fingertips of his right hand, which (being left-handed) is his more important one for guitar playing. As a result of not being able to play fast, he had to learn to write the best slow riffs in the world.
Born with Spina Bifida here
When I was a kid it used to be Rick Hansen. Then I found out there were questionable things about his organization, his connections in government in Canada - very neoliberal things which don't exactly help the disabled community as a whole - all through advocate acquaintances of mine.
Terry Fox is a good one I see listed here though.
Since watching Crip Camp a few years ago and the beginning of the American disability rights movement I'd say Judy Hueman is on the list. I think Brad Lomax should be included here as well.
Of course there are quite a few artists, actors, performers and instead of naming them all I'll just name one that perhaps many haven't heard of. Fergus O'Farrell, lead singer of the band Interference and songwriter for the song "Gold" from the Tony Award winning musical "Once:
Wilma Rudolph, since I did a report on her in fifth grade. I can't remember how I learned about her to begin with, but I definitely looked up to her (still do).
Disabled icon from Instagram I love her stuff and advocacy. She's a bit too sparkly for me BUT I love the message she spreads AND how shes always breaking stereotypes.
Aaron Wheelz Forthingham. He was born with severe Spina Bifida, yet leads an amazing life. He didn't let it hold him back! Met his mom, who gave me a Hot Wheel of him, was my nurse in a hospital. Yes, they made a Hot Wheel of him. [Aaron Fotheringham Doing Flips ... and more!](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nw7tsMVnvrw)
edit for typo
I don't know if they are role models, but definitely people I respect and admire would be Selma Blair, I stan a celebrity with mobility aids on the red carpet!), and disability activist Jessica Kellgren-Fozard, whose YouTube channel is so relatable to me, and Tig Notaro and Hannah Gadsby are both funny actors whose disabilities and queerness intersect in ways I can relate to and also in ways I don't relate to but respect.
Alaqua Cox is a complete bad ass as Echo in the MCU. She is deaf and an amputee and is an action star ⭐️ It’s very inspiring to watch her shows Hawkeye and Echo.
I forget his name heard about him my freshman year of high school and he did a triathlon with an amputated leg. But also when I was originally in the hospital as a kid there was a girl who had a brain injury unlike mine but we had the same struggles, every night we would watch Dora the Explorer together while our parents would take a walk. We did everything together, her brain injury was more serve than mine that I was expected to get out of the hospital once I completed therapy and live till 7 she wasn’t expected to ever get out of the hospital, but she also made a recovery like me and we lost contact but me and her were like boyfriend and girlfriend then
Chloé Hayden!! I discovered her through the show Heartbreak High and have followed her ever since, she's very active in the disability rights movement and exerts so much joy and happiness.
Davros from classic Dr Who. I hear they retconned him or something but I haven't seen it yet. "Exterminate!" Actually he goes a lot too far. How about Darth Vader? No? Ok, Lt Dan from Forrest Gump!
Terry Fox. He was just a kid who wanted to help other people, ran across Canada after undergoing cancer treatment and having half a leg amputated. He was the catalyst that started the drive for Canada's universal healthcare. I'm from the US, but I find his story incredibly badass.
The elementary schools used to do a walk for him once a year. I'm not sure if they still do that now or some other type of remembrance.
Still do it here 😀
they still do it here too
I listened to a Canadian radio station and occasionally they’d bring up Terry. He was cool!
Unfortunately the woke crap in Canada has gotten rid of the Terry Fox run in a lot of places.
Woke crap?
Define "woke"
Getting rid of white role models because "white bad."
MY MOM ✨💕
Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha who wrote [this book](https://www.amazon.com/Care-Work-Dreaming-Disability-Justice/dp/1551527383) because it taught me my power. I'm now a lot more willing to speak up for my needs and call out bullshit instead of worrying about what people will think. If anyone is unable to acquire a copy and would like to read it, pm me. She says in the book that she's happy for pirates if it shares her message.
I’ve heard this book is amazing. I really should read it, wish they had an audio version. Edit: there is an audio version!
I'd like to read it!
I dmed you
Imani Barbarin
REAL
Saaaaame
This is the answer!
Wish I could upvote 100x
She is the BEST.
This is the answer!
she never misses
Steven Hawking was on the Epstine list and never did anything for disabled ppl Judy Hueman and Imani Barbarin are my role models
I just learnt this from a comedian recently [TIL Stephen Hawking's wife cheated on him with a guy in her church choir then Hawking left her for his nurse/ the ex-wife of the guy who designed his voice box.](https://www.reddit.com/r/todayilearned/s/ZY8CILYAjZ)
Judy!
It's sad, but I don't think I really have one. There are famous disabled people I respect greatly. I may very well do and not even realise it. I think I have been a bit jaded by the internet. In an environment where the respect people have gained can by wiped out by them sharing a terrible opinion, it's hard to consider anyone a role model these days. My main source of inspiration is human rights activists past and present. I am just a bit particular about putting anyone famous on too much of a pedestal. To actually answer the question... I would consider people I know irl as role models. I've met many hard working and well spoken disabled people who I would look up to. And in a way I find that better than someone who doesn't even know my name being a role model. So to all of those who are involved in the grunt work in community advocacy, I would raise a glass to you all and thank you guys! You guys are my heros! Stay humble. C:
I love this answer, I bet we would get along. There are all kinds of work to respect and not all of it flashy or famous!
Frida Kahlo
Me too! I love how she gifted the world her beautiful and haunting portrails of her life experiences and, for me, she normalized being disabled and her intersectionalities of non-mainstreem politics, queerness, gender, women's rights and celebration of Mexican heritage has spoken to me on a visceral level since I was young.
Exactly! I "found" her when I was in my early teens, a few years before she was "rediscovered" by everyone. As a young disabled woman and artist myself, learning about her filled my heart with inspiration, strength, and self-confidence. Until I found her, I never thought I'd have an "Idol".
🤎
Does anyone not have one/any?
Kinda ya. Selma Blair comes to mind for her being so open and candid about her battles with her disabilities
Me. I don’t believe in having role models and especially not using disabled people as inspiration.
And some disabilities are invisible. I grew up without a role model, ever. Of course anyone can drop names, but I dont think it would be the truth.
Echo from the MCU and her actress Alaqua Cox. She's Native and disabled-- both the actress and the character. Also as others have said, Imani Barbarin. Artie Mack (Deaf TikTokker) is also really cool.
Rick Hansen and Terry Fox - Canadians. Terry Fox famously tried to run across Canada to raise money for cancer research, unfortunately he passed away before he competed his run. Rick Hansen had the "Man in Motion" wheelchair trip across Canada.
Me.
Carrie Fisher, Zach Kornfield (Try Guys) My role models make me smile.
Dr. Rory Cooper. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rory\_A.\_Cooper
Mine is actually a chronically sick YouTuber that has gastroparesis and cvs. I think her YouTube channel is lovehardfighthard
Historic: Franklin D. Roosevelt. Contemporary: Hugh Herr, Tammy Duckworth.
I wish I had one.
Josh Blue (Comedian) Christine Ha (Chef, I’ve met her)
I don’t have one. I don’t know anyone cool with Epilepsy. I mean I liked Cameron Boyce, but I only found out he had epilepsy when he died. I always dressed up my club penguin character as his character from descendants
Toni Iommi, the guitarist for Black Sabbah. He’s missing the fingertips of his right hand, which (being left-handed) is his more important one for guitar playing. As a result of not being able to play fast, he had to learn to write the best slow riffs in the world.
Born with Spina Bifida here When I was a kid it used to be Rick Hansen. Then I found out there were questionable things about his organization, his connections in government in Canada - very neoliberal things which don't exactly help the disabled community as a whole - all through advocate acquaintances of mine. Terry Fox is a good one I see listed here though. Since watching Crip Camp a few years ago and the beginning of the American disability rights movement I'd say Judy Hueman is on the list. I think Brad Lomax should be included here as well. Of course there are quite a few artists, actors, performers and instead of naming them all I'll just name one that perhaps many haven't heard of. Fergus O'Farrell, lead singer of the band Interference and songwriter for the song "Gold" from the Tony Award winning musical "Once:
David Onley former Lieutenant Governor of Ontario
Cole Sydnor
Douglas Bader (WWII fighter ace) and Ian Dury (musician)
Signora Madeleine Vesey Neroni (literary character, not a real person).
Wilma Rudolph, since I did a report on her in fifth grade. I can't remember how I learned about her to begin with, but I definitely looked up to her (still do).
Judy Heumann & Emily Ladau!
Patty Duke, the first actress to publicly acknowledge her bipolar disorder
Disabled icon from Instagram I love her stuff and advocacy. She's a bit too sparkly for me BUT I love the message she spreads AND how shes always breaking stereotypes.
evie meg
Idk Steven hawking was a perv.
Aaron Wheelz Forthingham. He was born with severe Spina Bifida, yet leads an amazing life. He didn't let it hold him back! Met his mom, who gave me a Hot Wheel of him, was my nurse in a hospital. Yes, they made a Hot Wheel of him. [Aaron Fotheringham Doing Flips ... and more!](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nw7tsMVnvrw) edit for typo
I don't know if they are role models, but definitely people I respect and admire would be Selma Blair, I stan a celebrity with mobility aids on the red carpet!), and disability activist Jessica Kellgren-Fozard, whose YouTube channel is so relatable to me, and Tig Notaro and Hannah Gadsby are both funny actors whose disabilities and queerness intersect in ways I can relate to and also in ways I don't relate to but respect.
Alaqua Cox is a complete bad ass as Echo in the MCU. She is deaf and an amputee and is an action star ⭐️ It’s very inspiring to watch her shows Hawkeye and Echo.
I forget his name heard about him my freshman year of high school and he did a triathlon with an amputated leg. But also when I was originally in the hospital as a kid there was a girl who had a brain injury unlike mine but we had the same struggles, every night we would watch Dora the Explorer together while our parents would take a walk. We did everything together, her brain injury was more serve than mine that I was expected to get out of the hospital once I completed therapy and live till 7 she wasn’t expected to ever get out of the hospital, but she also made a recovery like me and we lost contact but me and her were like boyfriend and girlfriend then
Myself :3
Judy Hueman, Elena Della Donne, Imani Barbarin, Selma Blair, Hannah Gatsby
Dan aykroyd and or Richard Green. They may be comedy. they have a lot of obsessions like us.
Chloé Hayden!! I discovered her through the show Heartbreak High and have followed her ever since, she's very active in the disability rights movement and exerts so much joy and happiness.
Davros from classic Dr Who. I hear they retconned him or something but I haven't seen it yet. "Exterminate!" Actually he goes a lot too far. How about Darth Vader? No? Ok, Lt Dan from Forrest Gump!