Original version

BBC World Service East and Southern Africa Schedule

BBC World Service East and Southern Africa

The Conversation

Factual: Life Stories

Two women from different parts of the world share the stories of their lives

Two women from different parts of the world, united by a common passion, experience or expertise, share the stories of their lives.

BBC World Service Online

BBC World Service schedule for American satellite radio and the Caribbean

BBC World Service Americas and the Caribbean

BBC World Service Australasia

BBC World Service East Asia

BBC World Service Europe and the Middle East

BBC World Service South Asia

BBC World Service

BBC World Service West and Central Africa Schedule

BBC World Service West and Central Africa

The Conversation: Disability: Maysoon Zayid and Gloria Williston

Magazines & Reviews

Maysoon Zayid and Gloria Williston

22/02/2016 GMT

Disability: Maysoon Zayid and Gloria Williston

BBC World Service - The Conversation, Disability: Maysoon Zayid and Gloria Williston

Two successful women from America and Ghana who refuse to be defined by their disability

"Disability is part of life", an Arab-American comedian and a Ghanaian public relations manager share stories of fighting stigma and dealing with people's stares.

Maysoon Zayid is an Arab-American actor and writer with cerebral palsy.  Brought up by parents who believed that nothing was impossible, she learnt how to walk by placing her heels on her father's feet. Combating unequal treatment in her profession, Maysoon went on to become a popular stand-up comedian, co-founded the New York Arab-American Comedy Festival and has performed in clubs in the US and the Middle East.  

Gloria Williston was born with micromelia – one leg shorter than the other - and uses a prosthesis to keep balance when she walks. Growing up in Ghana she faced prejudice and stigmatisation but always kept a positive attitude. She completed her degree and now works at the Orthopaedic Training Centre in Nsawam. Gloria believes that the key factor in her success was her family's 'love all the way'.

Photo: Maysoon Zayid (L) Gloria Williston (R).

Accessibility links

Programme Index

The Conversation

Disability: Maysoon Zayid and Gloria Williston

Genres

Formats

Brand

BBC World Service East and Southern Africa

About BBC World Service