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Disability Power

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Disability Advocacy Lifestyle Personal Growth Personal Story

4 Things I Learned From Speaking On UIC’s Disability Pride Panel

Last week, I had the opportunity to do something I’ve always wanted to do. On Thursday, April 1st, 2021, I spoke on a Disability Pride Panel for the Disability and Human Development Undergraduate Student Association at the University of Illinois at Chicago. It was such an incredible experience and I am very grateful to have been asked to be a part of the event.

Because this Disability Pride Panel was hosted by a student organization at UIC, attendance was not open to the public. Though I was disappointed more people didn’t have access to the wonderful dialogue taking place, the small numbers allowed more time for questions and discussion.

Since this was my first time speaking on a panel, specifically a disability pride panel, I thought it would be fruitful to share my thoughts and feelings on the event. By doing so, I hope other institutions and organizations can learn about the importance of events like this one and hopefully host their own versions in the future.

Without further ado, here are the top 4 things I learned from speaking on UIC’s Disability Pride Panel.

Jessica Ping-Wild poses on a fake cover of vogue magazine to provide an example of what normalizing mobility aids could do for the fashion industry
Disability Advocacy Personal Growth

Where Are The Mobility Aids In The Fashion And Entertainment Industries?

Up until last fall, I hardly ever let my picture be taken sitting down. Part of the reasoning was my aversion to showing off my stomach rolls. I’ve always struggled with body image, and if I had nothing to block my tummy from view, I was guaranteed to be self-conscious.

The bigger and more problematic reason I avoided these types of photos, though, was my aversion to my mobility aids. I didn’t like the idea of “looking disabled.” There is such a stigma surrounding wheelchairs, crutches, canes, and prosthetics, not to mention bulkier medical equipment, that it’s hard for people who require these devices to not feel ashamed of needing them.

Jessica Ping-Wild stands on her one leg with her hand on her hip on top of a tree stump. Above her picture is the text “# Disability Power.” Underneath is the text “Shout It Out”
Disability Advocacy

Everything You Need To Know About The Disability Power Movement

The Disability Power Movement is dedicated to one thing: bringing widespread awareness to the plethora of issues the disabled community faces every single day. Essentially, it is a continuation of the work I have been doing on my blog for the past year. The only difference is I am now trying to get more people to actively talk about and understand the topics I discuss daily.