“I’m so pleased to see that the upcoming Barbie movie features dolls with disabilities, including one with a prosthetic arm and another in a wheelchair. Having had my accident and acquired my disability in 2005 when I was 19, I can safely say there was zero representation of anyone living with a disability in mainstream media.
Disability was perceived as something negative, awful, sad and people living with disability were tragic. I know first-hand that young people’s mental health is intrinsically influenced by what they can see.
For me, in 2005 the fact that disabilities were so hidden, meant that perhaps I should be hidden too. Not only is this categorically wrong but to unlearn this attitude has taken me a very long time. I genuinely believe ten years of my life was wasted, for what? One wonky leg? Eventually, I realised the only thing that made me different was one left foot, nothing to do with my value as a person, to a business, relationship or in any aspect of life.
The reality was, I had to work for years to change my perception and then as a result, even longer to try to change other people’s. Businesses like ours highlight the power in disability every day but we are small and whilst we can influence change, bigger businesses and mainstream media really hold the power. Now, I believe the tide is changing, such a huge blockbuster movie has given hope to so many people like me who may well now see a place for themselves in society and avoid the agonising pressure to hide. What was once hidden can be celebrated, encouraged and embraced.
The value in that is life-changing. Here’s hoping Barbie is among many other brands to take visible, powerful steps toward a more inclusive world.”
