One in five Australians are living with a disability. That’s 20 per cent.
A huge chunk of profit to exclude from your business, wouldn’t you think? But unfortunately, we are still invisible to big fashion and beauty brands, even when our inclusion would bolster their bank balances? Or have they even delved into it that much? Perhaps not. Certainly not if my recent experience is anything to go on. I was brushed off like a fleck of dandruff on a collar at the first glimpse of my walking stick.
I have been a human rights activist for 22 years. I have been running my consultancy business since 2013 and have been modelling and creating content since 2020. I am returning to work following a break to recover from illness.
I have recently had some changes to both my physical and mental health but most of my conditions were diagnosed when I was a child. This means that I finished high school, got admitted into a double degree of law and international studies, held 9 to 5 jobs, started and maintained my own business, ran a not-for-profit, became a mum, raised my complexly disabled child, sat on boards, and served my community as a volunteer and ambassador all in this same disabled body. The sick/disability leave has been helpful to rebuild myself physically and understand myself better emotionally, and I am doing just fine. It also gave me quality time with my son and my new baby Milo (that’s my little Cavalier King Charles Spaniel). It was exactly what I needed, and I make no apologies for it. I have emerged from hibernation a whole lighter and brighter version of myself and I am like a bull (literally as I am a Taurus) at a gate ready to get back to life and work.
In my enthusiasm, I forgot that not everyone I encounter in my professional life is going to be as supportive and positive as the crew I surround myself with. We are each other’s hype friends, always raising each other’s spirits and encouraging one another to strive for our goals. So, you can imagine how sharp that pin was that punctured my soul when I had a conversation about clients’ response to me displaying my disability via my walking stick.
To help me walk steady due to my fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, hypermobility, and complex regional pain syndrome —which were all diagnosed in 2004 — I sometimes use a walking stick. It offers me some comfort when I am out and about. It takes a little pressure off my legs. I often forget it’s even there. That’s why I was surprised when potential clients pointed out that I had a walking stick, with little to no context, except the assumption that perhaps I’m not as agile as I was before and may not be up to working. They did not ask any questions about my abilities or why I was carrying this walking stick. It’s like they whispered, “walking stick”, and walked backwards slowly in to the darkness leaving me to question my whole future.
For those of you who know me, you’ll know I’m made of strong stuff and it’s almost impossible to take the wind out of my sails, but that day this strong-spirited Khadija who was ready to get her career back on track, fell to her knees and wept. Wept for the absolute injustice of it all, wept for the ignorance of these people, wept for all of the other amazing people out there trying to work with a disability and being knocked back with our disability cited as the very reason for the rejection – or worse being fed some other feeble excuse.
I could still cry thinking about it today, but my feelings of injustice and self-pity have turned to rage – the very rage I use to fuel my activism that makes real changes in the world. Yes, Khadija has not been wounded for too long from this emotional bullet. I have a platform and one of the loudest voices in Australia and I will not be told to “stay in my lane” by anyone. I will not get back in the closet. I am speaking out for myself and the voiceless. The fashion and beauty industries are changing and I am going to be a force to be reckoned with in this movement.
I know my worth and my talents as a model, and I only want to support brands that support everyone. Brands that are inclusive of disabilities, genders, skin colour, and are welcoming to LGBTIQA+ communities. We can see those brands shining through. Brands like Fenty showing models of all sizes, genders, abilities, and sexual preferences. Brands like Mac, who were one of the first off the mark to include shades of foundation for Black people. Without Mac I would not have had any makeup choices as a teenager. Now I have plenty, which shows a huge shift in the industry. And while I appreciate that they are inclusive, I’m sure it’s not solely from the goodness of their hearts that they are making products for everyone. It makes financial sense to do so – just look how Mattel profited from making Barbie more inclusive. As consumers, those with and without disabilities are choosing inclusive brands.
One in five of us in Australia has a disability and we have money to spend. I, for one, will spend my dollars with brands that support me. Brands where I can see myself in their advertising. Brands that are wholesome and inclusive. The ones that are making a difference and sticking their necks out to make us all feel seen and welcome in a world that is often hostile to people who are different. And I encourage you to do the same. Most of us are touched by disability in some way, and if not, it could happen to you or a loved one in an instant. So, let’s spend our fashion and beauty budgets wisely. Perhaps when profits flow to the inclusive brands, the others will sit up and take notice.
Living with a disability is a battle. My body is a battle. Accessing an inaccessible world is a battle. The other battles I choose to pick, I do sensibly. I choose to speak out about non-inclusive brands and show them that they are being left behind, but I will not attempt to convince brands of my suitability to work! They can remain in the darkness where they belong while I spend my valuable time working with brands who are moving with our times. Those who want everyone to enjoy their products. There is no time for exclusivity anymore when it comes to consumers.
So instead of hiding my boring plain walking stick out of the camera shot, I have ordered some fancy jewels to make it bling. My son Sammy and I will spend time pimping up my stick, which I will show proudly to the world. I am looking forward to my photoshoots with my bejewelled walking stick.
My walking stick and I are not going to be put in a closet!
Khadija Gbla is a well-known human rights activist. You can follow her on Instagram here.