Society is built in a way that doesn’t cater for differences when differences are the only thing that makes society.
Cape Town, South Africa – Cerebral palsy confined Michaela “Chaeli” Mycroft to a wheelchair, but it also enabled her to become the world’s first “ability activist”, challenging the world’s understanding of what it is to create an inclusive society.
This 23-year-old has more ability than most.
At age nine, she teamed up with her sister and three friends to raise R20 000 for her motorised wheelchair. The success of this small project awakened Mycroft to the bigger picture — promoting the ability of others like herself.
Since 2004, The Chaeli Campaign has assisted over 3 000 children in receiving wheelchairs, hearing aids, food supplements and more, and translated their slogan “Hope in Motion” into a programme in Zimbabwe.
Having won the 2011 International Children’s Peace Prize and 2012 Nobel Peace Laureates’ Medal for Activism, Mycroft will be using these international platforms to spread her message: “Always believe in yourself and know that you have gifts the world needs.”
And now Green Renaissance is sharing her story with the world. The tiny collective of 4 passionate filmmakers sat Chaeli down to talk about her journey of being “different”.
“We live in a complicated place. And it’s difficult to find your space.
If we see the light in each other, we can build a much brighter world. Everybody has something to offer. We just need to allow space for people to do that… to shine.”
Watch the inspirational video below:
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