How Attitudes and Stigma Impact Self-Esteem & Confidence

In this article, I talked about the frustration of being a DeafBlind scientist, trying to break into the world of STEM, ahead of my appearance on a panel at RareSummit in 2023 about growing up with a rare disease. Or four.

“One of the most significant challenges faced by any young disabled scientist is combating the attitudes and prejudices prevalent in society. Many people hold misconceptions about the capabilities of disabled people, assuming they cannot perform at the same level as their non-disabled peers. Max is frustrated that people have closed minds, jump to conclusions and do not listen. These prejudices can result in subtle discrimination, intentional or not, which impacts confidence and self-esteem”