Introduction

Mayia Warren (Host): All right. For this next award, the Inspiration, but you look good Award. Congratulations to Lauren Pires, who has been selected to be the 2023 recipient of this award. She has been chosen based upon her passion, vulnerability, and willingness to publicly share her inspiring story of living daily with invisible disability from birth Central Core Disease or CCD.

CCD is a rare neuromuscular disorder where a person’s muscles struggle to convert energy into strength so that they have to work harder at things most people take for granted. Lauren’s strength is about 33% of the average individual. Congratulations, Lauren, and keep sharing your story.

Lauren Pires’ Acceptance Speech

Hi, everyone. I’m Lauren Pires, and I’m so excited to be the IDA’s Inspiration Award winner for 2023. I was born with Central Core Disease or CCD, a rare muscle disorder where I have about 33% of the strength of the average person.

The Challenges of Hiding and Finding a Voice

Growing up, I never liked to talk about it and I tried to hide my disability as much as I could. Up until last year when I started competing in Speaker Slam, an inspirational speaking competition to share my story of living with an invisible disability. Until then, I never really thought sharing my story was important.

Turning Visibility into Community Support

Since then, I’ve run a fundraiser for invisible disability awareness. I’ve been on the local news. I’ve spoken about my disability experience on stage, and now, I’m being recognized tonight. But the most amazing part of this whole thing has been hearing from other people with CCD about how much my story means to them.

The Reality and Importance of Sharing Stories

I see now why it’s important to share stories and experiences. You never know who you’ll make feel understood or reflected, and you never know if sharing your story is what somebody else needs to feel comfortable sharing theirs. Every time people step up and say who they are, the world becomes a better, more interesting place.

Thank you so much again to the IDA for this Inspiration Award. I’m excited to keep raising awareness for invisible disabilities and show that even when you have 33% strength, you can still have 100% spirit.