by Hannah Diviney, 23, who was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at birth, hopes that the Walt Disney Company will create a princess character with disabilities that everyone can see.
And she’s spearheading a campaign that has so far garnered endorsements from Reese Witherspoon, Jameela Jamil and Mark Hamill, according to Reuters.
Diviney, of Sydney, Australia, said she believes her life, and her journey towards self-love and acceptance, would have been quite different if she had seen positive representations of people with disabilities in films while growing up, Reuters said.
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“The campaign is basically to create a disabled Disney princess, and the reason for that is specifically because Disney princesses are the ones that get the most visibility,” Diviney told Reuters in an interview.
She continued, “They’re the ones you see on the bedspreads and the toys and the books and the birthday parties and the Halloween costumes and all that.”
In this June 8, 2018 file photo, a person dressed as Mickey Mouse poses in front of the Sleeping Beauty castle at Disneyland Paris, in Chessy, France. (AP Photo/Francois Mori, File)
She also said, “So (I) kind of wanted to go for maximum visibility with my choice there.”
Fox News Digital reached out to Hannah Diviney for comment.
On her website, she writes that “a physical disability … affects my fine and gross motor skills. It means I use a wheelchair to navigate the world.”
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She also notes, in a message addressed directly to Disney, “I write this message to you as a young woman who has always loved Disney movies but never saw herself in them.”
“You will also be a powerful point of reference for non-disabled children to understand us and our lives.”
She continues in the message, “Creating a disabled princess (we know how influential these characters are) would give millions of children around the world an invaluable chance to see themselves having adventures, rich full lives and being the hero of their own stories . You will work to dispel the painful idea that many children unconsciously absorb life with a disability must mean a life without joy, adventure, friendship or love.”
She adds: “Beyond that, you will also be a strong point of reference for non-disabled children to understand us and our lives. You will actively create a culture of tolerance, acceptance, empathy and understanding to replace fear, confusion and the seeds to the bigotry that is often unconsciously sown when we are confronted with something different that is difficult to understand.”
To date, the petition has 64,000 signatures
Diviney launched an online campaign for Disney to create a princess character with disabilities in 2020, Reuters reported.
To date, this petition has received 64,000 signatures.
She is aiming for at least 75,000, according to the campaign.
She said it was hard growing up and feeling different from the other kids.
The 23-year-old, who is the editor of an online news platform for women and recently starred in an Australian TV series called “Latecomers,” said it was difficult for her growing up and feeling different from other kids.
Last year, Diviney called out Beyoncé and Lizzo on Twitter for using “spaz,” a derogatory term for spastic diplegia, in their songs.
Last year, Diviney called out Beyoncé (shown here) and Lizzo on Twitter for using “spaz,” a derogatory term for spastic diplegia, in their songs. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzaello, File)
Both artists later removed the slur after Diviney’s tweets went viral — and re-recorded the songs, Reuters reported.
On her website, Hannay Diviney describes herself as a “leading author, disability and women’s rights advocate in Sydney, Australia.”
Cerebral palsy explained
Cerebral palsy (CP) affects a person’s ability to move and maintain posture.
It refers to a group of disorders that affect brain and nervous system functions, including muscle tone, motor skills, cognitive function, vision, hearing and speech.
It’s a lifelong disability with no cure, as Fox News Digital previously reported.
Symptoms are often felt between birth and three years of age, as children with cerebral palsy often miss important developmental milestones.
Damage to the brain often occurs while a child is still in the womb.
However, the damage can occur during birth or in the early stages of brain development after birth.
Hannah Diviney attends the Marie Claire Women of the Year Awards at Rockpool on November 9, 2022 in Sydney, Australia. (Hanna Lassen/Getty Images)
Parents and doctors usually notice signs and symptoms between birth and three years of age, as children with cerebral palsy often miss important developmental milestones.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that an average of one in 345 children in the United States has the condition.
Children with CP can be educated in either a general education classroom or a special education classroom, depending on individual needs.
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Children often receive occupational therapy, physiotherapy and speech therapy through early intervention services and during school hours.
Hannah Diviney is seen during her appearance at the Marie Claire Women of the Year Awards at Rockpool on November 9, 2022 in Sydney, Australia. (Hanna Lassen/Getty Images)
The most common type of CP is spastic diplegia, which is what Diviney has, Reuters noted.
“‘Spaz’ has become popular as a kind of slur or cultural shorthand that means someone is losing control or unintelligent or not in control of their emotions,” she said.
“It was definitely a word that kids use on the playground, sometimes at me, sometimes around me,” she told Reuters.
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Reuters contributed reporting to this article.
