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The Conversation: Disability: Maysoon Zayid and Gloria Williston

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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).

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