Meet Maya Moore of @onehandedoverdressed : an amputee, model and disability advocate. We had the honor of interviewing her in celebration of Disability Pride Month and chatted about everything from being vulnerable on the internet, how she learned to embrace her disability, and how we can all learn to be better allies to those in the disabled community.
NOTO : Your vulnerability online seems to have built a beautiful community. What are some ways that your community has impacted you?
MAYA : Seeing beauty in the disability community and receiving love and support from my disabled and non-disabled followers has helped me address my internalized ableism, which fueled my negative self-talk and poor self-esteem. Creating and finding genuine connections online takes work, so I always feel affirmed when my vulnerability around being gay, disabled, and Black resonates with someone and, in turn, prompts them to reach out.
NOTO : You've often shared about how you used to hide your disability online and in real life. What shifted and allowed you to embrace your disability?
MAYA : My perspective shifted with time and a lot of patience with myself. I often found myself faking confidence by putting myself out there and confronting my fear of people seeing me without my prosthetic arm. Once I conquered that fear, I started to address why I felt I needed to hide. With time, I relearned how to take care of myself, dress in ways that accentuated my disability, and dismantle my internalized ableism.
NOTO : What are you most proud of?
MAYA : I'm proud that I haven't lost hope after everything I've been through. I survived cancer, lost my arm, battled depression, and almost lost, but I haven't lost faith that joy and self-love can still come out on top, even if they are briefly obscured.
NOTO : How has your disability shaped your perspective on life?
MAYA : My disability has profoundly shaped my perspective on life. As a disabled person, my relationship with time has drastically changed. When I was undergoing cancer care, time stood still; during my brief stint in hospice, I felt like the clock was running out, and now, at 31, after ten years in remission, I often feel like I'll never catch up to my peers. Having a disability has luckily forced me into the belief that everyone has their timeline and that life is too short not to seize joy where you can.
NOTO : What advice would you give those who want to be a better ally to people with disabilities?
MAYA : Listening is always the best first step. Ableism dictates that disabled people are a monolith, but the disabled experience isn't universal. Often, people forget we're people with wants, needs, feelings, or agency, and in the process, we're fawned over, ignored, and dismissed instead of uplifted, collaborated with, and cared for. After listening to us, support us and head our calls to action to make this world more just and accessible. For example, addressing the disproportionate police brutality against Black disabled people and making public transportation more accessible is in everyone's best interest, not just disabled people.
NOTO : What do you wish you could tell your younger self?
MAYA : I wish I could tell myself that things get better with time. I felt immense pressure to make up for lost time and replace what I lost, so much so that I hated myself for not being where I thought I should be. I'd tell myself that self-love isn't a place you arrive at but a practice you become more skilled in.
NOTO : How do you practice radical self-care?
MAYA : I practice radical self-care by committing to therapy. I've been working on prioritizing my needs and listening to my body, and sometimes, that means saying no, taking breaks to rest, and being patient with myself along the way. I also enjoy full-body skincare, whether regular facials, scrubs, or scar aftercare.
Maya’s story is a powerful reminder of the strength found in vulnerability and the importance of fostering genuine connections. Her experiences offer a roadmap for embracing one's identity, practicing radical self-care, and supporting systemic change. Let us all be inspired to champion inclusivity, amplify diverse voices, and be mindful allies in our shared pursuit of a more equitable world.