Stephanie Ward - The impact of labels on people’s lives.

The discussion highlights the importance of challenging the idea of “I can’t do it” by replacing it with “I can’t do it yet.” Host shares an anecdote about a child’s wisdom in this regard, and Stephanie Ward offers personal examples of pushing beyond perceived limitations, such as managing a larger team, traveling independently despite mobility issues, and even approaching a celebrity for a photo. Her experiences with airport special assistance illustrate the frustration of being labeled and then misunderstood or denied the very support that label is meant to provide. Stephanie Ward explains that pushing oneself to 101% of capacity each day, without causing burnout, builds resilience and increases overall capability, much like physical training. She emphasizes that one’s mindset often creates more disability than the physical condition itself, advocating for proactive development in areas like empathy, even for autistic individuals.