Lifestyle
Laís Souza: 'I Was Ableist Towards Myself' and Her Fight Against Bias
Laís Souza shares her journey of self-acceptance, combating ableism and judgment
The inspiring Laís Souza reveals her personal experience with ableism, including towards herself. She highlights the importance of breaking taboos and seeing people beyond their difficulties. Understand how she overcame prejudice and embraced her wheelchair as essential support.
On Donas da Voz, the inspiring Laís Souza opened her heart about a delicate and crucial topic: ableism. She reveals a deep perspective on prejudice, which often starts within ourselves, and the importance of breaking taboos for a more welcoming society.
PUBLICIDADE (GAM) — 1250x250
Ableism and Internal Judgment
Laís confesses that, on her journey, she has been ableist towards herself. She emphasizes that ableism goes beyond visible disabilities: “I have a disability, but a person might have depression or feel other things, you know? Not accepting their body, uh, having difficulty with anything, using a cane. All these deficiencies, these difficulties, we go and judge them.”
This reflection highlights how judgment can be subtle and internalized, affecting everyone from those living with a visible disability to those facing invisible battles. It's a culture that needs to be broken, a taboo that prevents true acceptance and empathy.
The Wheelchair as Support, Not Definition
The former gymnast shares her personal evolution: “This wheelchair doesn't define me. I used to judge myself a lot for being in a chair, I didn't want it, I was ableist towards myself.” Today, her perspective has changed radically. Laís understands that the wheelchair is a support, a tool that helps her move forward, and not a limitation of her identity. This is a powerful message of self-acceptance and empowerment.
Laís Souza's story invites us to a continuous exercise of relearning and reevaluating concepts, looking at people beyond their difficulties. It's a reminder that true support and sisterhood begin when we break the cycle of judgment, whether external or internal, building a future with more empathy.
PUBLICIDADE (GAM) — 1250x250
