Why I Refuse to Let My Disability Define Me
- Justine Martin
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
Because I am more than my diagnosis.
When you live with disability or a chronic illness, the world often tries to reduce you to a label. Multiple sclerosis. Acquired brain injury. Cancer survivor. These are part of my story, but they are not the whole story.
For years, I struggled with being seen only through the lens of my conditions. People would look at me and see limitations. But here’s what I’ve learned: disability is something I live with, not something that defines who I am.
Identity Beyond Illness
Yes, I live with MS. Yes, I have battled cancer. Yes, I carry the effects of an acquired brain injury. But I am also:
A business leader who has built multiple thriving enterprises.
An award-winning author and illustrator.
A keynote speaker who has inspired thousands.
A mum, a grandmother, a friend, and a fighter.
My diagnoses do not tell the whole story. My resilience, creativity, and purpose do.
Redefining Strength
Disability doesn’t erase strength, it redefines it. Strength is not about having a body that works perfectly. Strength is about choosing to get back up, to adapt, and to keep showing up when the odds are against you.
Every award I’ve won, every book I’ve written, every business I’ve built has been achieved not despite my disability, but alongside it. That’s resilience in action.
Refusing the Stereotypes
Too often, society tells people with disabilities what they can’t do. Those messages are loud, and they can sink in if you let them. I’ve had to push back against:
Pity disguised as compassion
Doubt disguised as advice.
Barriers disguised as “limitations”
Refusing to be defined by disability means refusing to let those stereotypes stick. Instead, I choose to lead with ability, impact, and possibility.
Why This Matters for Others
By refusing to let my disability define me, I hope to show others living with challenges that they are not “less than.” Your disability is part of your story, but it’s not the final chapter. You get to write the rest.
Sharing my story openly isn’t just for me, it’s for the person who needs a reminder that they are capable of extraordinary things, even on days when their body says otherwise.
Final Thoughts
Disability may shape my life, but it does not define it. I define myself.
Through resilience, creativity, and purpose, I’ve learnt that labels can’t capture the full measure of a human being. What truly defines us is how we rise, how we adapt, and how we choose to live fully in the face of adversity.
And that is the message I will carry to every stage, every audience, and every conversation: you are more than your diagnosis. You are your strength, your story, and your impact.
Want to book Justine to speak about resilience, leadership, and overcoming adversity? Contact us today.
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