Dr Kelly Fleming

I know I’ve covered the “despite your disability” comment in the past, but it simply amazes me as to the ignorance of some people towards disabled people.

Still, in 2023, there are individuals who have a hard time acknowledging the fact that disabled people are in most ways, the same as non-disabled people.

We have joy and heartache. We have good days and bad days. Most of all we are able to accomplish many things.

I have friends who are doctors, lawyers, teachers, university professors, writers, actors, producers, directors, social workers, psychologists, historians, clergy, and the list goes on. And yes, they are all disabled.

In my younger years, I was a teacher and then a seminary professor. My real love is writing and religion.

I have several Master degrees and 6 doctorates, ranging in topics of education, religion and pastoral counselling.

I am fluent in several languages and I have novice and intermediate skills in 8 other languages.

I have been published several times and I’m currently working on another book.

All of us may have had to work harder to get into the fields we are in, but most of that is caused by barriers society has placed in front of us.

These barriers are part of the stereotype that disability equals inability.

It’s time for the non-disabled community to look at things differently and remove these barriers that prevent so many educated disabled people from the workforce.

A large number of disabled people are unemployed and not because they don’t want to work or have the skills or education to work. They are unable to find employment due to society’s barriers.

Let’s work together to open more doors to disabled people and create an accessible world where disabled and non-disabled people work side by side.