Advocacy
Throughout her school years, Evelyn faced the stigma of having an Individualized Education Plan (IEP), which often led her to doubt her abilities. This difficult environment fueled bullying related to her singing and music, struggles that persisted into college and took a toll on her mental health.
Inspired by the heartbreaking stories she read in comments, Evelyn launched Find Ur Flame and The Feeling Alone Series. Through engaging threads, story times, and skits, she aims to raise awareness, empower individuals, inspire dreams, and challenge the negative stigmas surrounding mental health, bullying and learning disabilities.
In early 2023, Evelyn created two impactful videos—one addressing the bullying she endured due to her skin conditions, and another highlighting the unfair treatment of neurodivergent children in schools. These videos went viral, significantly expanding her platform.
What are some negative stigmas around disabilities?
Contribution and Success: The belief that individuals with disabilities are less likely to contribute meaningfully to society or achieve success.
2. Appearance: The misconception that a specific appearance requires a disability.
3. Infantilization: The notion that people with disabilities should be treated as if they are childlike or incapable.
4. Entitlement: The idea that requesting accommodations is a form of entitlement.
5. Universal Traits: The oversimplification that conditions like autism, ADHD, or dyslexia are merely universal traits or something everyone experiences in a minor way.
6. Attention-Seeking: The assumption that people with disabilities merely seek attention or have a victim complex.
7. Teacher Neglect: The justification that inadequate teacher pay excuses neglect or inadequate support for students with disabilities.
8. Parental Responsibility: The unfounded belief that a child's disability reflects poor parenting.
What are some negative stigmas around mental health?
Perceived Weakness: Believing that seeking help or having mental health struggles is a sign of weakness.
Lack of Resilience: Assuming that if you’re struggling, you should just be able to cope and push through without support.
Labeling as 'Crazy': Viewing individuals with mental health issues as 'crazy' or unstable.
Attention-Seeking: Thinking that anyone who talks about their mental health struggles is simply seeking attention.
Burden to Others: Feeling that your mental health issues are a burden or inconvenience to those around you.
What are some negative stigmas around bullying?
1. Victim Blaming: The belief that bullying victims are weak or must have done something to provoke the bullying.
2. Appearance and Stereotypes: The misconception that a specific appearance is required to be a bully or a victim of bullying.
3. Cyberbullying Minimization: The idea that cyberbullying isn’t real or serious because it happens behind a screen and that blocking the perpetrator solves the problem.
4. Ignoring It: The assumption that victims should simply ignore bullying and it will go away.
5. Parental Blame: The unfounded belief that parents are to blame if their child is bullied or if the bullying leads to severe consequences, such as suicide.
What are some reasons people victim blame?
Self-Defense: People may feel called out or threatened by the situation and project their discomfort onto the victim to deflect attention from their own shortcomings or guilt.
Rationalization: Victim blaming allows individuals to rationalize or justify their own inaction or lack of empathy by convincing themselves that the victim must have done something to deserve their suffering.
Fear of Vulnerability: Blaming victims can be a way for people to avoid confronting their own vulnerabilities or fears of experiencing similar situations.
Lack of Understanding: People may blame victims due to a lack of understanding or knowledge about the complexities of the situation, such as the dynamics of abuse or bullying.
Power Dynamics: Those in positions of power or privilege might blame victims to maintain their own power or minimize the impact of systemic issues that challenge their status.