Spina bifida
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How stigma shaped me | Macy Taylor | TEDxGeorgiaSouthwesternU
TEDx Talksยท 2025-10-15 15:25
Core Message - The speech advocates for destigmatizing disabilities through education and awareness, inspired by personal experiences with the speaker's sister [4][5][9] - The speaker emphasizes that disabilities are a normal part of society and should be recognized as such to remove the associated stigma [11][13][14] Personal Journey & Motivation - The speaker's involvement in pageants from a young age provided a platform to advocate for disability awareness [1][2][3][11] - The birth of the speaker's sister with spina bifida significantly impacted the family, leading to a desire to create a more inclusive and understanding environment [4][5][6] Initiative & Future Goals - The "Just Say Hi" initiative aims to destigmatize disabilities through education and awareness, encouraging open conversations and understanding [9][10] - The speaker plans to develop "Just Say Hi" into a nonprofit organization to provide financial assistance to families of children with disabilities for home accessibility modifications [12] Redefining Pageants - The speech challenges the stigma surrounding pageants, portraying them as platforms for empowering young women to speak out on important issues [13] - Pageants are presented as a means of personal development, providing a voice and the power to advocate for others [13]