The Truth About Growing Up Disabled | Dylan Alcott

The Truth About Growing Up Disabled | Dylan Alcott | TEDxYouth@Sydney

Рет қаралды 229,771

8 жыл бұрын

Dylan Alcott wasn't always a Paralympic champion. He grew up disabled, but it might not be what you think. In this engaging and funny talk, Dylan tells us what it's really like growing up with a disability.
Dylan Alcott OAM is a Paralympic gold medalist, World Champion, Grand Slam champion and world record holder for both wheelchair basketball and wheelchair tennis. In 2008, Dylan won Gold at the 2008 Beijing Paralympic games at the age of 17, the youngest ever winner of a wheelchair basketball gold medal. In 2013, Dylan switched sports to wheelchair tennis, and in 2015 won his first grand slam title at the Australian Open. Dylan was born with a large tumor wrapped around his spinal cord, leaving him a paraplegic. He is a keen advocate for people with disabilities, and is an ambassador for the charities Starlight Foundation and Variety which help change the lives of kids with disabilities across the country. Dylan is also a music enthusiast, and is well known for his wheelchair crowdsurfing at music festivals.
This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at ted.com/tedx

Пікірлер: 145

@kbal1451 7 жыл бұрын

Dylan is exactly right, disability should be visible in mainstream media. People with disabilities should also embrace it where they need to and go out and enjoy life.

@StephWeller 6 жыл бұрын

I definitely think that as disabled people we need to stand up to those who resist the visibility of disabled people. The more disabled people that are visible in day to day life and in mainstream media, the quicker perceptions will change.

@moriahbackhaus3147 6 жыл бұрын

Growing up as a wheelchair user I can empathize with most of what he said. It is hard never seeing anyone like you. I 100% agree that we need more people with disabilities in mainstream media. Not just characters with disabilities played by able-bodied actors, that drives me crazy! The idea that disability is a bad thing is very pushed by the media, and part of reason is that disabled characters are either looking for a cure, miserable, or suicidal (Me Before You, I'm looking at you!). Thankfully things are starting to change with shows like Speakless and movies like Wonder, but we need more representation.

@janedoe1230 7 жыл бұрын

I would definitely kiss Dylan

@jenniferdavis2971 3 жыл бұрын

Same here, Dylan. 7x cancer survivor... which has brought on a mess of disability. But not all for all the tea in the world would I take that magic pill to go back in time. I love who I am, but I wouldn't be who I am without the disability.

@wotchras 8 жыл бұрын

i have a disability as well and i seek to educate peole about it, just like you do. keep it up mate

@amandacoleman4201 2 жыл бұрын

It's hard being disabled because people treat you like you aren't human. They kinda treat you like an animal and then get mad when they get bit.

@thisgirl5933 2 жыл бұрын

I think people need to hear that having a disability is not a tragedy, that you can be happy. This is the message I keep seeing from parents of children with Down Syndrome. It changed my perception for sure.

@cindyhalpern3187 Жыл бұрын

Both my brothers were in wheelchairs. And in their short lives, they got out there. This was long before this Ted Talk. They were trend setters.

@jennadietz1989 Жыл бұрын

I’m disabled too. I have mild cerebral palsy

@paulking5199 2 жыл бұрын

Now, he's the only male calendar year Golden Slam champion. Absolute legend.

@Rapunzel1963 2 жыл бұрын

I remember the Australian singer Jeff St John. He was an active musician in the sixties and seventies. Wheelchair, spina bifida, it didn't stop him rocking out! Good points from Dylan, thanks for putting this TEDx Talk up.

@Kymo883 2 жыл бұрын

You have become the role model you didn’t see when you were younger Dylan, you should be very proud that the disabled look at you and say everything and anything is possible. 🙏🏼

@beaugeste8066 2 жыл бұрын

You are an amazing man Dylan, your advocacy for the rights & gifts of para athletes & people with so - called disabilities has been sensational as has been your sportsmanship. You will always be in my favourite athletes, people ever, thank you True Blue you are a Champion in every sense of the word 👍🙏❤️

@tammydreamwriter2877 6 жыл бұрын

I was one of those kids that had a really hard time growing up, and I have to thank you for this video. I would love to see more on this topic because it IS so important.

@amylindemann9985 4 жыл бұрын

I am a Special Education Teacher and plan to show this to my students to facilitate self-awareness! Thank you!

@debblackmore7460 Жыл бұрын

Since my hidden disability I have lost friends and family but I'm a survivor and I carry on you find out who are true friends and who are not worth me stay strong stay positive sending luck hugs prayers most of all love from headway Nottingham UK takecare you got this xxx