I Spoke at the 2nd Government Disability Summit about Spoon Theory- How it Went

Earlier this week, I spoke at the Second Government Disability Summit about how spoon theory can be used in personal and professional settings. This week, I want to reflect on how the summit went. I then want to end this blog by answering one of the questions I was asked at the end of my presentation.

First, I was very lucky that I was able to have my parents and partner attend my presentation. I appreciated having in-person support while I was speaking in a room with around 100 people. When I practiced before the event, the maximum number of people I had watching me was around 7, so suddenly having a larger audience was a bit intimidating. Having some familiar faces helped me feel more comfortable when I started the presentation. I very much appreciated that support. I was nervous, even though I felt like I had practiced a lot. No matter how many times I speak in front of a crowd, and no matter how many times I leave a speaking engagement feeling accomplished and happy, I am nervous every single time.

My presentation focused on how spoon theory can be used in personal and professional life. I talked about the four central tenets of spoon theory, which center around the importance of assessing personal energy levels, and how spoon theory can be used in practical application based on my own life. I then ended with an activity where audience members can interact with spoon theory using a hypothetical simulation, and answered some frequently asked questions. Spoon theory can be used by organizations to foster conversations around accessibility. By quantifying the amount of energy we have daily, we can better understand our personal abilities, the need for accommodations, and the types of tasks that require more effort. Organizations can leave with takeaways to streamline services for clients based on accessibility principles. This presentation can be customized to any organization that wants to learn more about spoon theory.

My co-presenter shared her experience with cerebral palsy, disability rights, and inclusive dance. More information about disability experience can be found here. Both of our presentations were grounded in our personal experiences of living with a disability. In my experience, I have felt alone in my advocacy efforts, so I greatly enjoyed meeting another advocate who can combine disability advocacy with other aspects of life, such as personal hobbies. Speaking at a summit centered around disability, inclusion, and community really highlighted the importance of accessibility for all disabled people. I learned more about advocacy nonprofits that center on disability voices, advocates using disability to create community, services to assist individuals with different types of disabilities, and the importance of planning ahead for natural disasters for people with disabilities. Despite disability being the largest minority group that anyone can join at any time, Ventura County is the only county in California to host a summit centered around disability.

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My favorite part of the presentation session was the question-and-answer section. Audience members could ask questions about spoon theory, or any other aspect of disability they wanted to ask. One of the best questions I got was, "How do you deal with the guilt of not being able to be productive all of the time due to not having enough energy, or spoons?" When I was asked this, I really had to pause and think, because I struggle with this concept. My answers was:

1: Therapy. I am still working on this notion, and so I talk about it in therapy. Here, I learn my limits and find value in my humanness, rather than my productivity. This is easier said than done, but I have had times this semester when I took breaks that I would not have been able to in the past.

2: Community. I have been growing my community of disabled people that I talk to about my experiences with disability. Usually, I hear back that there is some aspect of what I am talking about that is relatable. By having a community that I can relate to, I feel less lonely. Removing that sense of isolation helps to eliminate some of that shame.

3: Health. This was maybe my most cliché answer, but your health is more important than any task. I try to drill this into my head because, in my freshman year of college, I fell on my knee due to a desire to finish folding laundry despite not being able to stand properly. That knee injury became a chronic problem that I still have flare-ups with. Health is more important than laundry or any other task.

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Thank you for reading about my experience at the 2nd annual Government Disability Summit, and ways to work through guilt due to a lack of productivity due to disability symptoms. If you have any questions or comments, please comment on the blog, reach out at @Anniekrollblog on Instagram or Facebook, or email me at Anniekrollblog@gmail.com. I hope to see you next week!