Brooke is joined by Ashley Young, one of the stars of 2023 mega-hit, Barbie, to share personal stories and insights on topics such as disability, motherhood, relationships, and representation in the media. Ashley and Brooke highlight the importance of resilience, determination, and self-acceptance in the face of societal challenges, and embark upon a conversation that is both enlightening and empowering, offering a fresh perspective on navigating life with a disability. KEY TAKEAWAYS Resilience and determination are key traits that help us to navigate rejection and challenges in their lives. Representation in media for individuals with disabilities is limited and often focuses on simplistic portrayals, such as amputees or wheelchair users. Dealing with online hate and inappropriate messages, especially from devotees, has been a common and distressing experience for many with disabilities in media. It's vital to set boundaries and not engage with inappropriate behaviour, whether online or in person. BEST MOMENTS "I think my main goal in life, and I've always said this, is to kind of pave a way for the younger kids who have limb differences."  "I feel like rejection is something that teaches you something in the end. Maybe it's a good thing. Maybe it just wasn't for me."  "I think resilience and determination kind of come hand in hand with disability, particularly if you've been a disabled child." "I'm not like a mom influencer kind of in any way. I try and keep my child off the internet because it's already weird for children."  VALUABLE RESOURCES https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/disabled-and-proud/id1621152878 HOST BIO Disabled and Proud is the show that brings listeners a different perspective on disability. Each week this podcast highlights an awesome disabled guest speaking about their own disability; why they are proud to be disabled and why they are proud to be themselves.  The conversations in this show will look at what challenges these amazing people face socially, mentally, physically and life in general. This show is raw, open, honest, funny, welcoming and educational.  Disabled & Proud does exactly what it says on the tin! And whilst we are creating this space for disabled people to be unashamedly themselves, without the need to conform to society, this is also not about toxic positivity. This show will be shining a big, bright light on disability without it being “Paralympic or pity”.  As you will hear disability is WHOLE, COMPLETE & PERFECT and whilst the topic of disability can be quite heavy - and we definitely don't shy away from the bad days - this podcast is also about having fun too! Our aim is to play a part in reclaiming the word disability - turning it from inadequacy to perfection!INSTAGRAM! https://www.instagram.com/disabledandproudpodcast/?hl=en: https://www.instagram.com/disabledandproudpodcast/?hl=en