In Boldly Belong: The Power of Prioritizing You in a Disabling Society, dedicated disability inclusion advocate and process improvement specialist Julie Harris delivers an actionable guide for those navigating life with disabilities. It is a practical roadmap to belonging that challenges the unjust societal shame and stigmas that shape our beliefs of disability and ourselves. The book includes reflective exercises and practical strategies to incorporate the mindset of acceptance into everyday life. The author accepts the idea of limitations caused by disability as a neutral fact, rather than as a negative or positive, and shows us how to use limitations as parameters to accept and work within, rather than resist or reframe.
In the book, you'll learn why self-acceptance, rather than trying to fit in or unrealistic, positive reframing, is the key to belonging. You'll also discover: - How accepting your limitations, needs, and true self can lead to profound growth and possibility - New insights that help you to question and deconstruct the harmful beliefs you've always been told to be true about you and your disability - How to identify who you are and finally believe that you are enough - Strategies for self-advocacy that effectively further your interests in a wide variety of settings and circumstances
Perfect for people from all over the world who have a body or brain that works differently, Boldly Belong is also an essential read for business, academic, military, and athletic leaders who want to understand more about disability and cultivate disability inclusive environments that promote belonging.
Table of Contents
Introduction 1
Part I Stigmas Lie 11
Chapter 1 Live Life on Your Terms 13
Chapter 2 How Belief Systems Shape Identity 21
Chapter 3 Identify Who You Are Free of Stigma 29
Part II Deconstruct Faulty Belief Systems 35
Chapter 4 Disability Stigma 37
Chapter 5 Impact of Stigmas on Self 49
Chapter 6 Shame 59
Chapter 7 People-Pleasing 75
Chapter 8 Perfectionism 85
Chapter 9 Learned Helplessness 93
Chapter 10 Hyper-Independence 101
Chapter 11 Fear of Being Perceived 109
Chapter 12 Strategies to Question and Reframe 117
Part III Self-acceptance and Self-confidence 131
Chapter 13 Nervous System Regulation 133
Chapter 14 Know Yourself 147
Chapter 15 Accept Yourself 167
Chapter 16 Accept Others 177
Chapter 17 Practice Being You 183
Part IV Self-Advocacy 191
Chapter 18 Advocate for Yourself 193
Chapter 19 Tune Out Others’ Judgments 205
Chapter 20 Inevitable Resistance 213
Chapter 21 Stay True to Yourself in the Workplace 231
Chapter 22 Stay True to Yourself Even When Everything Sucks 237
References 243
Acknowledgments 251
About the Author 253
Index 255
