First up, let’s take a poll.
This week, we’re looking at three influencers who use social media to spread awareness about living life with a disability—what it means and what it does not. While so much of influencer marketing is a “me, me, me” approach to what a person can do to go viral, this week’s issue instead focuses on how to be a good steward of social media. As a zebra, this one hits close to home.
A person-first approach.
Years ago, Squirmy and Grubs’ channel popped up during one of my many aimless YouTube searches. The creators, Shane and Hannah, are an interabled couple—that is, one partner has a disability while the other does not. In their case, Shane was born with Spinal Muscular Atrophy. The successful influencer explains that is “why I look like a spider that’s been stepped on a few times.”
Did you gasp?
I know the description is jarring, but that is what is so wonderful about Shane and Hannah’s platform. Shane is a witty and accomplished man who has devoted much of his career to educating others about life as a person with a disability. This person-first approach emphasizes focusing on the individual and their abilities instead of their limitations, e.g. a “person who uses a wheelchair” versus someone who is “wheelchair-bound.” The first example places the person front and center in their universe; in the second description, they sound like a prisoner.
Shane regularly uses humor to dispel myths about navigating the world as a person with a disability. He and his wife have built a humorous and supportive environment that welcomes respectful questions. Hannah, too, provides unique insights as a partner and caretaker. Their lengthy channel uploads offer a window into their world, with the duo reminding followers that Shane is no more a “project” than Hannah is a savior. They are partners, dividing the work of their marriage according to each of their abilities. Yes, that means Hannah carries much of the physical load. But, as they remind followers, Shane tackles the nitty-gritty of bills, bookwork, and other maintenance that comes with being married and running a successful digital operation.
Listen and learn.
Next on the list is influencer and TV personality Abbey Romeo. The 25-year-old became an instant hit with Love on the Spectrum viewers as she navigated the murky waters of dating as a woman with autism. Abbey’s charming personality is the soul of her content. She has a knack for speaking directly into the camera—her mom typically serves as the narrator or question prompter—describing what she is thinking, how she is feeling, and why that may seem different from those who do not have autism.
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Followers have watched Abbey’s personality and confidence unfold. She sings while she explores the world, continuously challenging herself to try new foods, new experiences, and new ways of identifying and owning her thoughts and feelings. She’s a delight to watch. Her content is honest and forthcoming. Abbey shares her struggles and fears alongside her confident wins. It is impossible to walk away from her content without a richer, more compassionate knowledge of autism and life on the spectrum.
Embrace compassion.
That brings us to Ron (@troz57 on TikTok), a quadriplegic and motivational speaker and writer who has made it his mission to spread positivity online. Ron has had quadriplegia for more than four decades due to a diving accident in the Coast Guard. In one moving video, he describes signing X for his name on discharge papers following his accident, saying, “I was determined to learn to write with my mouth [and] challenged myself. I wasn’t ‘X,’ I was Ron Trozzi. Today, my signature is far superior to my one with my hand.”
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Watching Ron’s videos are as powerful as they are humbling. He uses his platform to dispel myths about spinal cord injuries and the limitations people wrongly assume individuals with such injuries have. He encourages people through his content to step out into life and become a better version of themselves. I recommend catching Ron during one of his TikTok lives or listening to this podcast episode.
What this means for you.
Social media is a go-to for finger-pointing. Much of the blame is warranted. Researchers have linked social media use to poor self-esteem, social and relational breakdowns, and even sleep disturbances. As U.S. lawmakers again consider whether to ban TikTok due to concerns about the Chinese government and privacy, now is the time for consumers to consider whether and how social media is incorporated into their daily lives. Now is also the time for influencers to work on a viable TikTok backup plan (most seem to favor YouTube).
Listen, social media is not all bad. Two key benefits of social media are its accessibility and its exposure. People who might not have otherwise had easy accessibility to large audiences can now garner millions of followers—and they can show the world who they are, dismantling prejudice and combatting false narratives by using their voices.
As you develop your influencer strategy, remember that good strategy includes learning as much as teaching, listening as much as speaking, and doing as much as being.
Next week, we’ll discuss other social media benefits, Amish influencers, and a post-TikTok world. In the meantime, would you please give this post a like and a share? I’d appreciate your help getting the word out!