Keep the Cape: Invisible Disabilities Are Not Superpowers | Caitlin Graves

Keep the Cape: Invisible Disabilities Are Not Superpowers | Caitlin Graves | TEDxAustinCollege

Рет қаралды 3,542

Жыл бұрын

Like so many others, Caitlin Graves’ childhood was full of dreams of being a superhero. Though that dream has not come true, she has found that large parts of herself are invisible - just not in the way she had imagined. As a gay, neurodivergent woman with an invisible disability, she knows much lies beyond what can be seen with the naked eye, particularly when it comes to invisible disabilities. There is a wide gap in diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in the shape of disability, and Caitlin asks that we all take steps to radically recognize disability to begin to close it. Don’t find inspiration in making disabled people your superheroes; find it in the heroic effort it will take to close the gap. Caitlin grew up in Granbury, Texas and graduated from Austin College in 2013 where she majored in English and American Studies. She received her master's from Kent State University and doctorate from Abilene Christian University. In her professional life, Caitlin works in Knowledge Management and Organizational Development and Excellence. Additionally, she researches Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) topics within the educational sphere, specifically focusing on belonging and inclusion for marginalized groups. She lives in Washington, D.C. with her wife and their two cats. Also, still not a superhero. Yet. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx

Пікірлер: 14

@buffienguyen 6 ай бұрын

Thank you for the talk. I found it very informative and comforting. Also I feel like some of the negative comments under this talk are people who have not watched the video in full.

@asimovstarling8806 Жыл бұрын

I have all of her symptoms plus a few. Aspergers syndrome, ADHD, mildly bipolar, asthma, astigmatism in both eyes and of different types too with extreme light sensitivity in both and a slight color blindness of blue green in the right eye, irritated bowl syndrome, partial deafness, acid reflex, hemochromatosis, periodic loss of balance, trans, demi, PTSD from being a survivor of abuse, clinical depression, night terrors, small lungs and super dense but also brittle bones (I sink even in salt water.) and the list goes on and on. and yet to everyone around me I'm just a big strong brute who they don't even give a second glance.

@Seamannon Жыл бұрын

I guess it all comes down to people being less judgemental and more curious in their encounters with other people. Thankfully everyone can individually decide to put their assumptions aside and give others the benefit of doubt, ask why someone behaves a certain way or what happened to them before concluding what we think of them. We can trade our demands and expectations of others for seeking mutually beneficial transparent transactions that are negotiated in good faith and respect for boundaries and needs on both sides. We can just start acting like this as much as we can in our own lives and give others opportunities to do the same before we go around demanding equity standards, which may be very needed in some cases but also very misguided and misused in others. I know it's a revolutionary concept, but I've also heard that someone already teach it to others about 2000 years ago by saying something about casting stones. I know we can set ourselves up for failure when we try to act in good faith and expect others to do the same for us, because some people are not ready to do that, we may get hurt and resentful when people take advantage of us, but that's also an opportunity to move on and look for people who won't act this way and will appreciate us, who will be more compatible with us, better suited to meet our needs and reciprocate our effort. I want to believe that every single person has a purpose that unfolds in the right environment, but we are responsible to seek out the kind of environment we need for ourselves. We are not completely on our own before we get there, we can ask for guidance and help on our way. I think many syndromes are indicators that we are either in the wrong environment, or disrespect ourselves unnecessary by not stating or boundaries and not holding them up or it's a combination of both - not respecting ourselves enough because we are in the wrong place with the wrong people who can't appreciate our unique value.

@TheAnnetduffy 5 ай бұрын

absolutely brilliant

@user-ys5pl8zt9c Жыл бұрын

Hello from California 🇺🇲🇺🇲

@phantumbelly1319 Жыл бұрын

I think that it’s a subjective speech and that if a disabled person believes their disability is a super power so what maybe it is. Think Asperger’s that don’t want cured etc. this generation needs to stop trying to control the narrative for everyone and let others simply be

@______yawn6419 Жыл бұрын

maybe but if someone with Asperger's goes on a TED talk and tries to reinforce the idea that it isnt a disability and rather a superpower then its still trying to control the narrative for everyone.

@Chiller-pc1dv 2 ай бұрын

Aspergers is an outdated term, it's just part of the autism spectrum