Dee Smith on…..disability advocate work
At just 27 years old, disabled model and writer Dee Smith has modelled for London Fashion Week, featured in Cosmopolitan magazine, and launched her own podcast.
We spoke to her about how she’s combining creativity and disability advocacy to champion self-expression and inclusivity for disabled people.
Tell us more about your disability advocacy work. What is it all about and what made you want to start advocating in the first place?
I’m creative. All my advocacy work revolves around things I love and am passionate about, such as creating a photoshoot to model or writing a poetry piece. I went from able bodied to disabled and all of a sudden I noticed how ableist and inaccessible the world is because of toxic stereotypes that are NOT true. So I intended to change that through creative avenues.
You’ve modelled at London Fashion week and share images from many amazing photoshoots via your Instagram. What do you love most about modelling?
The freedom to be creative! I get to be anyone and do anything. I can be artistic, scary, beautiful, sexy, honest. The possibilities are endless! Plus, it inspires others and shows people what I and other disabled people can do. It educates.
How has your relationship with sex and desirability changed since becoming disabled?
It was a journey. I went from thinking I was undesirable and unwanted because of my disability and what society has told us. I had to learn to love my own body and embrace my sexuality again. Learning to love all of me, disability and all, has been a journey.
What is one myth or stereotype about disabled people that you would like to dispel?
That we aren’t sexy, beautiful, and desirable with needs.
What are your goals for the future? Do you have any dreams you hope to realise or upcoming projects you’d like people to know about?
My goals are to advocate more in bigger, more mainstream media where disabled advocacy can be heard and taught. Hopefully branching out into acting. I also have a podcast on Spotify called Training Wheels where I talk to all kinds of people, from all walks of life, and ask them to share their stories.
You can find out more about Dee and support her work via her Instagram @dee_smithxoxo and her podcast “Training Wheels” is available to listen on Spotify.