Limb difference, disability and workplace diversity – with Ruth Rathblott

Limb difference, disability and workplace diversity – with Ruth Rathblott

Author: Carolyn Kiel February 28, 2022 Duration: 37:56

For 25 years, Ruth Rathblott hid her limb difference.

She doesn't hide it anymore. As she explained in her recent TEDx Talk: when she stopped hiding, she found freedom.

Ruth has been a leader in nonprofit organizations for more than 25 years, with 15 years at Big Brothers Big Sisters of New York City, and more than eight years as CEO of the Harlem Educational Activities Fund. She currently serves as a Board Member of The Lucky Fin Project. She speaks about inclusion and diversity, the gifts of being unique and the freedom that comes with accepting your differences.

During this episode, you will hear Ruth talk about:

  • Her decision to start hiding her limb difference as a teenager, and how it impacted her mental and physical health for decades
  • The people in her life who encouraged her to stop hiding and start sharing her personal experience with disability
  • The chance encounter in a store where she first learned about the wider community of people with limb differences
  • How people have reacted to seeing her limb difference – and how kids react differently than adults
  • Her mission to convince companies to include disability in their definitions of workplace diversity 

For more about Ruth and her work, follow her on LinkedIn and check out her website www.ruthrathblott.com.

Watch Ruth's TEDx Talk: When I stopped hiding, I found freedom

 

Watch the video of this interview on YouTube!

Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for early access to new episodes!

Click here for the episode transcript.

 

*Disclaimer: The views, guidance, opinions, and thoughts expressed in Beyond 6 Seconds episodes are solely mine and/or those of my guests, and do not represent those of my employer or other organizations.*


Hosted by Carolyn Kiel, Beyond 6 Seconds: Neurodiversity stories from neurodivergent people moves past the snap judgments that so often define how neurodivergent people are perceived. Each conversation here is an invitation to listen deeply, exploring the nuanced realities of entrepreneurs, artists, advocates, and other neurodivergent individuals as they share their own experiences in their own words. You’ll hear personal accounts that challenge stereotypes, not through abstract arguments, but through the vivid details of lived experience-the unique pathways to creativity, the challenges navigated in work and relationships, and the personal definitions of success and well-being. This podcast creates a space where identity is explored with authenticity, highlighting the strengths and perspectives that arise from thinking differently. Tuning in means connecting with stories that are as diverse and dynamic as the neurodivergent community itself, offering genuine insight into mental health, societal norms, and the richness of human cognition. Carolyn guides these discussions with a focus on depth and connection, ensuring every episode goes far beneath the surface to celebrate the vibrance of neurodiversity.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Beyond 6 Seconds: Neurodiversity stories from neurodivergent people
Podcast Episodes
Epilepsy advocacy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:14
Amee is a dedicated health care provider known for her expertise and compassionate care. Beyond her professional achievements, she is a passionate mental health advocate and openly shares her personal journey living with…
Autistic-led autism research - with Dr. Kana Grace [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:17
Dr. Kana Grace is a research psychologist, advocate, Specialist Mentor, and educator, specializing in the mental and physical health of neurodivergent people. Currently, Kana is an Honorary Research Fellow at the Centre…
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) - with Patti Kasper [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:26
CW: Mentions of suicide and experiences with the criminal justice system as it relates to FASD. Patti Kasper is a Neurobehavioral Coach and Trainer who provides staff development training and coaching services to support…
Working in the creative industry with Tourette's – with Ian Otto [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:53
Ian Otto is a Senior Producer with experience in animation, motion design, immersive, visual effects (VFX) and post production. After working in Berlin for many years, Ian now lives in Copenhagen, Denmark, where he is Se…
South Asian Mental Health Stories – with Mrinal Gokhale [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:51
Mrinal Gokhale is an author, speaker and creative consultant based in Wisconsin. She has collaborated with organizations and media outlets such as Brown Girl Magazine, ADDitude Magazine, Medical College of Wisconsin, and…
Dissociative Identity Disorder – with Crystals Multifaceted [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:21
CW: Mentions of suicidality Crystals Multifaceted is the founder of Multifaceted Journeys, where they use their lived experience of Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) / plurality and healing with complex trauma and dis…
Autistic and Black – with Kala Allen Omeiza [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:33
Kala Allen Omeiza is a prolific author at the intersection of race, culture, and autism. Her latest book, "Autistic and Black: Our Experiences of Growth, Progress, and Empowerment," has received widespread acclaim for it…
Working in tech as a Black autistic woman – with Martina Kuzenski [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:00
Martina Kuzenski is a late-diagnosed autistic woman who received her autism diagnosis at age 28 near the end of her Master's degree program. She is an IT Specialist for the U.S. federal government. She shares her experie…