Stella Young
Stella Young
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Full Name and Common Aliases
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Stella Claire Young was a renowned Australian journalist, writer, and disability advocate who used her platforms to highlight the experiences of people with disabilities.
Birth and Death Dates
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Born on May 6, 1982, Stella Young passed away on February 7, 2014 at the age of 31.
Nationality and Profession(s)
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Young was Australian by nationality. Her profession spanned writing, journalism, and public speaking.
Early Life and Background
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Growing up in Melbourne, Australia, Stella's early life was marked by her own experiences with disability. She had osteogenesis imperfecta, also known as brittle bone disease, which caused frequent injuries and hospitalizations throughout her childhood. This formative period shaped her perspective on the world and informed her advocacy work later in life.
Young's parents encouraged her to pursue education and career goals despite her health challenges. Her mother, in particular, played a significant role in instilling resilience and self-acceptance in Stella. The family's experiences with healthcare systems also sparked Young's interest in writing about social justice issues related to disability.
Major Accomplishments
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During her short but impactful life, Stella achieved numerous milestones:
She became the first person with a significant mobility impairment to host a major current affairs program on Australian radio (ABC Radio National).
Young was an award-winning writer and journalist, recognized for her thought-provoking columns in The Age newspaper.
Her work often focused on challenging stereotypes and promoting inclusivity, making her a sought-after public speaker.Notable Works or Actions
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Some of Stella's notable works include:
"I'm Not Past My Use-By Date," an opinion piece that went viral and sparked widespread discussion about ageism and disability.
Her TEDx talk "I'm not your inspiration, thank you very much" (2012), where she spoke candidly about the frustrations of being seen as inspirational or pitied due to her disability.Impact and Legacy
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Stella's impact extends far beyond her own writing and speaking engagements. She inspired countless individuals with disabilities worldwide through her unapologetic advocacy for greater equality and representation:
Her message of self-acceptance, empowerment, and resistance to societal expectations continues to resonate.
* Stella's work paved the way for increased diversity in media representation and sparked important conversations about accessibility and inclusion.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
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Stella Young is widely quoted and remembered due to her bold and unapologetic approach to challenging social norms surrounding disability. Her ability to articulate complex issues, coupled with a sharp wit and humor, has left a lasting impact on the world of advocacy and beyond.
In conclusion, Stella Young's remarkable life serves as a testament to the power of resilience, determination, and creative expression. Her work continues to inspire generations to come, ensuring that her legacy remains a vital force for change in our shared pursuit of inclusivity and understanding.
Quotes by Stella Young
Stella Young's insights on:
In case I get hit by a bus tomorrow, I want to make something clear - I am not a snowflake. I am not a sweet, infantilising symbol of fragility and life. I am a strong, fierce, flawed adult woman. I plan to remain that way, in life and in death.
We’ve been sold this lie that disability makes you exceptional and it honestly doesn’t. … I want to live in a world where we don’t have such low expectations of disabled people that we are congratulated for getting out of bed and remembering our own names in the morning.
I dance as a political statement, because disabled bodies are inherently political, but I mostly dance for all the same reasons anyone else does: because it heals my spirit and fills me with joy.
The magnitude of discrimination and stigma faced by people with disability in Australia cannot be underestimated. People do not understand disability, and people fear what they don't understand.
I do not identify as a person with a disability. I'm a disabled person. And I'll be a monkey's disabled uncle if I'm going to apologise for that.
I do sometimes painful things to my body in an effort to conform to culturally imposed beauty ideals.
By far, the most disabling thing in my life is the physical environment. It dictates what I can and can't do every day.