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Navigating Disability
Welcome to the Navigating Disability Podcast Show!! Your hosts, Kate Read and Jenn Abbott are committed to changing the narrative around 'normal' and 'ability' and look so forward to sharing our weekly guests with you! Get ready to be inspired, empowered and enlivened as we dive into education, lived experiences, expert advice, behind the scenes on political movements and how YOU, our listeners can THRIVE within your community!
So this means, if you, your family, client or loved one are impacted by disability, you've landed on the right channel.
We know how daunting the future can seem from time to time, and when you know you can lean into expert advice and interviews to get your questions answered or your faith renewed, the journey can feel more achievable.
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Navigating Disability
Between Two Worlds: A Journey Through Profound Differences and Finding Her Voice
What does it mean to feel different, even within the community where you're supposed to belong?
In today's episode, Navigating Disability seat with Fiona Fonti, a dedicated advocate for disability rights and accessibility. Fiona works to raise awareness about the challenges many face and the importance of inclusive spaces.
From the age of three, Fiona Fonti navigated the world as a profoundly deaf person. But her journey toward connection was far from straightforward. Growing up, she encountered a surprising isolation: upon finding the deaf community, she discovered that not all deaf experiences are the same. Communication styles varied, and she often felt caught between worlds—not quite fitting in, and yet not like the hearing world either.
Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussions about burn out and overwhelmed experience due to medical conditions. Please take care while listening.
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In this intimate conversation, Fiona opens up about the loneliness of that "in-between" space and the lifeline that was her two deaf siblings, who provided a unique sanctuary of understanding. She also shares a pivotal, recent chapter: her diagnosis with ADHD combined type, which added a new layer to her understanding of self.
This is not just a story about deafness. It's a universal story about identity, the search for belonging, and the families—both chosen and given—that help us find our voice. Join us as Fiona Fonti shares how she transformed her experience of profound difference into a powerful force for advocacy and self-acceptance.
Connect with Fiona Fonti:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fionafonti?igsh=MXIwdTV3d3dkMmtnZQ==
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fionafonti