Choosing Me: From Diagnosis to Advocate – Sydney Elaine Butler
- Choosing Me: From Diagnosis to Advocate - Sydney Elaine Butler Tim Reitsma 41:22
When Sydney Elaine Butler speaks, you can't help but be drawn into the raw and transformative power of their voice. As the founder of Accessible Creates, Sydney lives with autism, CPTSD, and fibromyalgia. Their conditions are not just a backdrop but a driving force behind their commitment to fostering disability-inclusive spaces. Their experiences bring hope, showcasing the balance between setting boundaries and leaning into self-care, all while pushing for change in professional settings that have for too long misunderstood and underserved those with invisible conditions.
Our conversation takes us through navigating multiple health conditions, the nuances of Complex PTSD, and the impact of early intervention and accommodations for autism. Sydney's open-hearted sharing of the strategies that help manage their health—be it through self-care routines or setting firm personal boundaries—offers listeners a firsthand look at the strength required to choose oneself daily. But it's not just about surviving; it's about thriving and using one's voice to pave the way for inclusive work environments and societal recognition of individual normalcy.
Sydney's story isn't just an individual triumph—it's a call for everyone who has ever felt marginalized or misunderstood. We wrap up with a powerful discussion on the necessity of self-advocacy and the creation of a compassionate support system.
Sydney's journey is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the transformative power of community. Join us as we embrace the lessons and insights from someone who's reshaping the conversation on living with invisible conditions and changing the world, one inclusive step at a time.
Takeaways:
- Self-Advocacy and Choosing Yourself
- The Impact of Language and Words
- Ending the Stigma Through Conversation and Understanding
- Reflection and Personal Growth
- Creating Inclusive Environments
- Support and Understanding in Ending Stigma
Sydney Elaine Butler – Bio
It is Sydney’s understanding that their professional purpose must be to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to be successful regardless of barriers in their way and that they must as professionals remove these barriers.
Sydney conducts training and consulting for other companies on how to be more Accessible and Inclusive from a Human approach and how to recruit and retain more diverse individuals through the lens of Intersectionality/Human Resources as well as other areas of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in an authentic manner at the company they founded called Accessible Creates due to understanding the barriers that exist within the workplace for diverse individuals.
Sydney is also a Founding Member of InHeartSight (IHS) which is a diverse community of professionals from across Canada filling the gap in existing services for recent women immigrants. Where they are on a mission to ensure that every woman who comes to Canada has the right skills, and the right job, at the right time
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