The Disability Conversation | Ben Myers | TEDxOStateU 

"First!" on my own talk.

I am tired of people being afraid to ask me questions about my disabilities. I am tired of being called an inspiration by people. Thank you for advocating for us.

we are a Xenophobic race: we fear that which is foreign to us". Very well said.

Beautiful work Ben! I’m disabled, I have Ehlers Danlos Syndrome and some comorbidities (associated diagnoses). I’m a part time wheelchair user. And I’m a certified life coach who helps chronically ill and/or disabled folks reclaim their power and live a life they love. The taboo is very very real. I create every opportunity I can to smash that taboo. As far as the term “disabled”, I have no problem with it, in fact I’m a very proud disabled person. I’ve educated so many people about this, and even argued with my own life coach. He thought I was focusing on my limitations but that’s not it at all. It’s part of my identity. The medical model focuses on what’s wrong with a person. I find the Social Model of Disability to be much more accurate and helpful...that the thing that dis-ables (meaning, prevents me from functioning) me is how society is set up to exclude me. Ben, keep at it, you are a gifted speaker and educator. Great job!

Great talk! Being disabled myself I, perhaps controversially, don't have issue when terms are used that imply a struggle - because it is, I mean there are great things in my life but Cerebral Palsy isn't one of them. My issue is when people think they have to shut down said conversations for fear of 'offending'.

I work on a disability awareness program for schools and businesses. all the employees have some kind of disability (currently all the workers are wheelchair users) and I can agree with what he says with people being afraid to talk to/about us. When we go to primary schools (kindergarten- year 6) The kids always want to ask questions, but if a kid asks something that seems obvious or weird, like "how do you sleep?" or "why can't wheelchair users get out and walk down the steps?" the teachers instantly shut them down and tell them to not ask silly questions. they HIRED us to come and answer these questions, it's our job but they're still terrified we'll get offended. I've been working on this job for 3 years and never been offended by a question and we try to make it as clear as possible to both teachers and students, that there are no silly questions, it's better to ask us now then to make assumptions or guess. then, not surprisingly, when we go to high schools (grade 7-12) or businesses, there's almost never any questions after our talk, and if there are, its almost always started with "do you mind if I ask.../ I hope this isn't offensive..."

I went to grade school with Ben. What a great dude. Keep crushing buddy!

Disability advocacy is definitely important.

Phisiodivergence seem like a powerful addition to our language. A much better replacement for slurs. Great idea Ben Myers!

I could listen to this guy talk for at least another hour. I can’t wait to follow him through his career.

Thank you for this, you made audible the feelings I hide.. I'm tired of being called an inspiration or people asking me if I'm "getting better" or that I am the lucky one compared to others such as my brother who have a more severe form of cerebral palsy.. I could feel the passion in this video bless your heart

Love the point you made regarding everyday slurs not the obvious "r" word but crazy, idiotic and such. This speech is so important and so is the continued positive disability discourse! Thank you for your continued advocacy.

I seriously feel like I learned a lot watching this.

Amazing speech Ben. I have a neurological disability (Epilepsy) and it's horrible when I mention it to people and they don't feel confident enough to ask me how it feels, or what happens during seizures. They just say, "Oh I am so sorry, are you ok?" I hate it so much. I hate when they say I am strong and I can get over this and overcome it. The taboo is very real. Thank you so much Ben for advacating for us. :)

One of the most passionate and focussed speakers I've seen to date. Would so love to have you speak here in New Zealand, Ben. You have a presence and a charisma in your presentation that I would love to be able to emulate.

Good onya mate; Particularly in 2020, you are a much needed inspiration for our future.

I want to cry My girlfriend was born with a disability in her limbs, she has done countless surgeries, recently this topic has been opened between us and I have not been the best of support to her. She said I don't understand, Im just like anyone else, and it broke my heart. I never thought I took what she's been through any lightly, but somehow thats what shows, because I didn't know how to deal with it, and she has shut me off. Now Im struggling to open the conversation again and say the right things.. Its not easy for her, and it feels complicated to me Im scared of being a let down to her Im kind of already am She said that And Im so sad about it I never thought I'd be in this position, where Im not supporting someone who's dealt with disability, let alone that person being my partner Its so sad and heartbreaking even to her Im sorry I want this to be better I want to be so close to her so she can feel safe with me Knows someone is close enough to her to lean to Knows there's someone for her that understands

I agree with you Ben. Lets break the silence about disability. I did not know a lot until I enrolled in a Cert. III - DisabilitySupport Worker. The whole population, not just for future support workers but also the whole population must be educated with Disability knowledge. Thank you for being an advocate.

Thank you so much Ben! I am an aspiring inclusive teacher and I hope that I can help to foster these conversations and to grow the understanding of everyone about disabilities.

Excellent speech.you hit the proverbial nail on the head

You're a good man and I appreciate your contribution to Tedx!

So true! We need to work together to change the negative perspective to disability. Great talk!

Absolutely brilliant boy, very well spoken.

Great Speech! We also have to struggle with the same problems in Germany: that other people are afraid to ask questions and to be the "inspiration". Because of my wheelchair, I am at the same height as 4-5 year old children and that's where I start. If I see them looking curious, I roll over to them and just ask if there's anything they want to know. It usually only takes a moment before they dare to ask their questions. Very often the parents try to intervene out of insecurity and correct the children - unfortunately unsuccessfully ;)) We have to start taking away the fears of the next generation much earlier than we do in school or university, and that has to happen as early as kindergarten age. Children instinctively respond correctly. We must preserve that! With warm regards from Germany and many thanks!

Thank you, Ben.

+Ben Myers I have moebius syndrome too! This was truly inspirational and amazing!

Wow I learned a lot from you Myers. Thankyou for advocating us. Anyway I am someone with Spina Bifida and I'm proud.

He is a brilliant speaker. Loved it.

Hi @TEDx Talks In order to provide equal access, can you provide better captions on your videos (perhaps add some punctuation?) so the videos are more easily understood? Thanks!

need come to geneses country,Michigan. teach people about disability. we have no resources.

These are amazing ideas and a very helpful way to think about disability!

Awesome talk! You are a great speaker.

Kid is brilliant.

Really wonderful talk, Ben.

Great talk Ben. Thanks for teaching us!

Great talk, well done

I couldn't love this kid any more

AWESOME!!!

Well said young Man!

Hy Ben, saw your speech today. Very good job.

Please CC this video.

You Go Ben😎!

I feel that people with disabilities are treated less than 2nd class citizens, the majority of disabled people I know are unemployed, and organisations that represent them don't do anything to help them

❤

I don't have a physical disability but I have autism

Serious question (Even though this video is 7 years old): Does #2 apply to Toph from Avatar: The Last Airbender? She was born blind but sees through a sort of seismic sense (sensing vibration in the ground). This isn't something she was born with instead, it's something she learned, and even still, it doesn't completely erase her blindness: she can't read, can't see on ice or wood platforms, her vision is severely distorted in sand and can't see in the air, which is the group's main way of travel. The ability is minimized in certain aspects, but is still present. However, Toph can be entirely self sufficient. While her friends often forget she's blind because of her fighting prowess and tough attitude, her parents coddle and baby her, which is what causes her to leave in the first place. It doesn't match one to one with how Ben describes it, and the seismic sense doesn't erase her blindness, it just gives her a different way to interact with the world.

Hey Ben, this was an amazing Ted Talk. Well done, I would try to avoid such words as insane and crazy ;). I would like to ask you some questions about how you use certain technologies. For example, computers, remotes and telephones. Is it a bit uncomfortable for you? Do you think there is a way computer manufactures can adapt technologies for people with disabilities?

I don't understand how stupid, crazy, or idiotic has anything to do with disabilities.

Invisible conditions Multiple sclerosis

Where are the captions? Strange that a video about disAbility is not accessible to the Deaf or Hard of Hearing.

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