Destiny Meilleur is a journalist and dedicated disability advocate. Destiny has firsthand experience navigating life with disabilities and uses her platform to challenge misconceptions, promote accessibility, and push for more inclusive representation in media. She is also passionate about journalistic integrity and ensuring that stories are told with accuracy and fairness. In our conversation today, we’ll explore disability advocacy, the role of unbiased reporting in journalism, and the balance between knowing your limits while still striving to improve.Disability advocacy is crucial in breaking down barriers and dispelling harmful misconceptions. Many people struggle to understand invisible or dynamic illnesses, assuming that disabilities must always be visible to be legitimate. However, conditions like Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) and Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) can impact individuals in ways that aren’t immediately apparent. Additionally, there’s a widespread belief that disability is something distant from one’s own reality, when in fact, anyone can become disabled at any point in life due to injury, illness, or aging. Destiny sheds light on these issues and discusses the challenges she has faced, including being questioned about the legitimacy of her disability, encountering misinformation about medical conditions, and the harmful tendency of some to assume people are “faking” their illnesses. She also highlights how workplaces and the media can better support individuals with disabilities by implementing training on invisible conditions, embracing accommodations, and sharing authentic stories to foster understanding and change.In an era where misinformation spreads quickly, the role of responsible journalism is more critical than ever. Destiny emphasizes that journalists are not the experts—they are the conduit through which experts can share their knowledge. Holding public figures accountable, ensuring transparency, and thorough fact-checking are all key pillars of ethical journalism. However, reporters often face external pressures to frame stories in specific ways. Destiny shares her experiences of standing her ground when asked to report unverified information, demonstrating the importance of journalistic integrity. Furthermore, she highlights the essential role that journalism plays in shaping public perception, particularly around disability-related issues. When the media publishes biased or inaccurate portrayals, it erodes credibility and contributes to harmful stereotypes. By prioritizing factual reporting and diverse storytelling, journalists can help the public form educated opinions based on reality rather than assumptions.Balancing ambition with self-care is a difficult challenge, especially for those managing chronic conditions. Destiny shares how she has personally struggled with pushing herself too hard, sometimes at the cost of her well-being. She has learned that while dedication to work and personal goals is important, it’s equally essential to recognize when to step back. A pivotal moment for her was when she had to take medical leave after suddenly losing the ability to bear weight on her legs. Although it was a difficult decision, prioritizing her health allowed her to continue pursuing her career in a sustainable way. She also recounts how she overcame discouragement during her studies when a professor told her there was "no room for people with disabilities in news." Instead of giving up, she persevered and has since won multiple industry awards. For those who struggle with setting limits, Destiny offers valuable advice: fight for necessary accommodations, listen to your body, and accept support from those who want to help. Personal growth doesn’t mean ignoring your limits—it means working within them to achieve your goals in a way that supports long-term success.KEEP IT LONG TERM!

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