LOLO SPENCER ON BUILDING COMMUNITY AND CONFIDENCE AS A DISABILITY ADVOCATE

Since I started making lifestyle content on YouTube around nine years ago, I’ve always tried to advocate for being okay with having your disability. It’s our body, so we can’t escape it—and we might as well find ways to love it.

And for people with disabilities—the community I target with my content—I feel we have much bigger issues, in so many ways, that sometimes, body image is the last thing I’m concerned about. It’s like, we may love or not love our bodies. But it’s still unfair that I can’t get into this building because of an accessibility issue.

As I kept posting videos and content online, so many people sent messages, left comments, and shared their experiences and tips based on their particular disabilities. I thought, How cool would it be to create a platform where these people can share their tips and tricks and hacks with each other?—because I don’t have all the answers.

So that was the reason I created Live Solo, a lifestyle platform for others with varying disabilities. I want people with disabilities to know that they can be independent, that they can be self-empowered, and if, for whatever reason, they don’t have a life of full independence, they can still find joy in other ways. Like, hey, this person who’s a wheelchair user figured out how to travel on an airplane—so now you know how to travel on an airplane too.

I always think about this one time, a few years ago, I made a video with tips on having a job interview when you have a disability. One girl sent me a DM that said, “Hey, Lolo. I saw your video, and I’m so excited that you posted it because I have a job interview this week, and I’m going to take your tips.” A few days later, she hit me up and said she got the job. That’s stayed with me. Because it goes beyond my own experiences—like, yo, I’m affecting people in real life. It’s such a blessing.

Finding things that make me feel f****** good makes me feel strong and confident—like when I have a dope outfit on, when I’m on top of my regimen with eating well, and when I’m taking care of my skin. Your body is something you can’t hide from, so you have to find ways to love it as much as possible, and give yourself kindness and compassion in the process.

2024-04-16T13:12:30Z dg43tfdfdgfd