Disability: Maysoon Zayid and Gloria Williston
"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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Clips
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My comedy is very personal
Duration: 01:01
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That day I got about 27 dollars
Duration: 00:47
Broadcasts
- Mon 22 Feb 201600:32GMTBBC World Service except News Internet
- Mon 22 Feb 201603:32GMTBBC World Service Americas and the Caribbean
- Mon 22 Feb 201605:32GMTBBC World Service Online, East Asia, Europe and the Middle East, South Asia & UK DAB/Freeview only
- Mon 22 Feb 201607:32GMTBBC World Service Australasia
- Mon 22 Feb 201618:32GMTBBC World Service Australasia
- Mon 22 Feb 201619:32GMTBBC World Service except Australasia & News Internet
- Sun 28 Feb 201601:32GMTBBC World Service Australasia
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