Stella Young
Stella Young
Stella Jane Youngwas an Australian comedian, journalist and disability rights activist...
NationalityAustralian
ProfessionComedian
Date of Birth24 February 1982
CountryAustralia
almost bus caught certainly deal disability gender great informs life religion whether work
Disability informs almost every part of my life. It's as important, if not more so, than my gender and sexuality. It's certainly a great deal more important to me than my religion or whether or not I caught a tram, ferry or bus to work.
people respect society treats
We are a society that treats people with disabilities with condescension and pity, not dignity and respect.
allowed arms people
People get all up in arms when I describe myself as a crip because what they hear is the word 'cripple,' and they hear a word you're not allowed to say anymore.
life
On the whole, my life is and has been wonderful.
age attracted regarded taught
As disabled people, we are taught from a young age that those who are attracted to us are to be regarded with suspicion.
accessible followed invitation obsessed utterly wheelchair
As a wheelchair user, I am utterly obsessed with toilets, and all my friends know it. A simple invitation to the pub is consistently followed by, 'Do you know if they have an accessible toilet?'
death
Death is not treatment, even if it's medically facilitated.
I used to think of myself in terms of who I'd be if I didn't have this pesky old disability.
esteem image people
Self esteem and a healthy body image for people with disabilities are so often hard-fought.
access side
Personally, I like a generous side of wheelchair access with my cities.
country fought grew hung small town younger
I grew up in a very small country town in Victoria. I had a very normal, low-key kind of upbringing. I went to school, I hung out with my friends, I fought with my younger sisters. It was all very normal.
approach conditions disabled discuss generally latin medical names position rather social talk terms
I don't generally talk about medical terms when I discuss my position as a disabled person. I take a social rather than medical approach to disability, and so long Latin names for congenital conditions are not relevant.
constantly exactly life simply strangers
My everyday life in which I do exactly the same things as everyone else should not inspire people, and yet I am constantly congratulated by strangers for simply existing.
currently economic life paying taxes
I currently live independently without any funded support. I'm educated, and I'm employed. I enjoy paying my taxes and contributing to the economic life of Australia.