The Limbo of Dynamic Disability with Tayler Goectau

In the kickoff episode of Season 3 of the Sick Gaze, I sit down with Tayler Goectau.

Tayler (she/her) is a young, thin, white woman with medium-length brown hair who is in her 20s and navigating life as a Deaf, Disabled, and Autistic woman. After experiencing neglect, medical gaslighting, and lack of access to quality healthcare and accessibility growing up, she is now a Disability and Accessibility Advocate through her online platform, @distaaybled. She is passionate about raising awareness for conditions such as Ehlers Danlos Syndrome and comorbidities, rare diseases, and endometriosis while living with a permanent ostomy bag and learning how to thrive in a world not made for disabled and neurodivergent people. Tayler is always striving to break the stigma surrounding disabilities and expand conversations about accessibility. 

In today’s conversation, we explore Tayler’s journey of self-advocacy in healthcare and the power of claiming space. We discuss the challenges of navigating a world that deems her “not disabled enough” for certain accommodations while simultaneously making it impossible to meet the relentless demands of hustle culture. Tayler shares the unseen responsibilities of managing a chronic illness, the emotional and logistical toll of self-care, and the resilience required to push back against a healthcare system that often dismisses women’s pain. We also dive into the importance of speaking up—even when it’s uncomfortable—and the strategies she’s developed to ensure her voice is heard. 

Take care of your spoons!
If you're interested in being interviewed for this podcast or want to let me know your thoughts on this episode, email me at dickersonmm@g.cofc.edu and follow @thesickgazepod on instagram!