Becky's Motivational Blog

Available for any speaking engagements, around the globe, that will allow me to change perceptions of what physically challenged people are capable of, while motivating everyone to set exceptional goals and work towards them. Questions? Visit beckymotivates.com or e-mail [email protected]. I look forward to hearing from you!

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After nearly a decade, I had so much fun reuniting with @rob_hakala at #WATD early this morning! https://www.instagram.com/p/CoyHRjpp2Ay/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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"A well-educated mind will always have more questions than answers.” Thank you to @sjswellesley for inviting me to read, share my story, and answer all of the wonderful questions from the Pre-K through 6th grade students yesterday! #dwarfismawareness https://www.instagram.com/p/Ck0lhZVOETL/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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“By taking the time to stop and appreciate who you are and what you've achieved - and perhaps learned through a few mistakes, stumbles and losses - you actually can enhance everything about you. Self-acknowledgment and appreciation are what give you the insights and awareness to move forward toward higher goals and accomplishments.”~Jack Canfield https://www.instagram.com/p/CjoI0-_pmE_/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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It's International Day of the Girl (#DayofTheGirl)! I thought I'd take the opportunity to write a letter to my younger self, with the hopes that it can help other young girls too.

Dear Younger Becky,   Life isn’t always fair. You have just turned 15 ½ and you’ve lost feeling in your lower legs. You have spinal cord compression. Lower back surgery is absolutely necessary. I know you think that this is the end of the world, but some miracles can happen. You will experience even harder things in life. The recovery process is going to take some time, but your family and your friends will always be there to support you. You will walk again. You will be able to participate in sports again. Focus on your studies and don’t worry about dating. Your opportunities will come. You will eventually find love and you will get married. Stop worrying about what other people think. People will continue to laugh, point, and stare but the best thing that you can do is ignore it. If people ask questions, don’t be afraid to give them honest answers. Even though you don’t want to stay home on a Friday night with your parents, it’s worth it. They will always include you in their plans. They love you unconditionally.   I can’t stress enough how important it is for you to get involved as an active member of Little People of America. Consider attending some conferences. I know you’re used to being the only physically different person in your group of friends, but LPA will make life so much easier for you. I know that you don’t think that you’re ready for it now, but I recommend getting involved by the time you go to college. You will meet people who have faced similar obstacles in their lives and everlasting friendships will be created. With technology the way it is today, you can find ways to stay in touch with new friends who you meet, no matter where they live. In addition, you will have the opportunity to visit places where you’ve never been before. You will find love.   All of the experiences that you will have from where you are now to my age will continue to shape the story that you share during your motivational speaking and disability advocacy career. You will deliver more than one TEDx speech. I know that it’s something that you’ve always wanted to do, and it is possible. You will struggle in college, you will struggle with the job search, and you will struggle with the sudden loss of your first-born child, but all of these experiences will make you a stronger human being.   Don’t be afraid to try new things even if they don’t work out. You will end up wherever you’re meant to be. Be open to where life takes you. Treat others the way that you want to be treated in return. Don’t be afraid to share your story and passions with those who surround you. Chase after your dreams. Life’s too short to sit around and wait for them to come to you. Sharing your story will make a difference in more people’s lives than you ever imagine.

All the best, Older Becky

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“A father is neither an anchor to hold us back nor a sail to take us there, but a guiding light whose love shows us the way.” Happy 41st Father’s Day, Dad and Happy 1st Father’s Day, Ryan! I can’t thank you both enough for all that you do for our family. I love you to the stars and beyond! I’m so thankful to have you both by my side in this next chapter of our growing family. #FathersDay https://www.instagram.com/p/CQV5K_8JE2F/?utm_medium=tumblr

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This past December, Australia’s @datelinesbs reached out to ask if I was willing to be interviewed about my lived experience with achondroplasia, in order for the producers to understand the broader implications of a drug such as vosoritide from a lived experience point of view. Although this is a controversial topic, I was proud that my husband and I could be featured to share our honest point of views as we enter our next chapter of parenthood. You can view the whole episode of “Born Small” here: https://bit.ly/3tSFeVI. #SBSDateline #BornSmall #Dwarfism https://www.instagram.com/p/COGKU6NpTSW/?igshid=y96pjg8vkf7w

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Join me tomorrow at 1:00 PM CST / 2:00 PM EST. My @tedxuwmilwaukee @tedx_official talk will help audience members understand the importance of creating a more inclusive society where individuals with disabilities are not just accepted, but embraced. Register today at bit.ly/tedxuwm-2021 #tedxuwm #tedx #tedxtalks #disabilityinclusion https://www.instagram.com/p/COAl7ccJJYN/?igshid=v8ylzfi6r7em

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Join me on April 24th to kickoff the virtual TEDxUWMilwaukee 2021 “Our City. Our Story” Conference Series. You will be able to view the premiere of my second TEDx and there will be two other great speakers on that day as well! After each talk, speakers will participate in a live Q&A. Following that day, there will be two additional dates to watch more great speakers. You can register for all three events here: bit.ly/tedxuwm-2021. https://www.instagram.com/p/CNjeuEEpfN2/?igshid=1iopo22km0u1f

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Thank you to my new friend @jenelle_tremblett for inviting me as a guest on the @ebbandglowpodcast! Check out the full episode here: https://apple.co/2VBMAO3. https://www.instagram.com/p/CIZESUTJp1f/?igshid=h0cu3eut43xn

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This year’s International Day of People with Disabilities theme is Building Back Better: toward a disability-inclusive, accessible and sustainable post COVID-19 World. I enjoyed delivering three keynote speeches today about the importance of advancing disability inclusion and equality worldwide. #IDPWD #DisabilityInclusion #AreYouIN https://www.instagram.com/p/CIWijKdJyWs/?igshid=1q7djtpe7e9xk

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Time has only deepened my love for you. Thank you for being such a wonderful husband. I am so lucky to have you in my life! #Thankful https://www.instagram.com/p/CH_dgLYJ59_/?igshid=1jrckkc46tqx0

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Acts of kindness make the world a happier place. #MakeKindnessTheNorm #WorldKindnessDay https://www.instagram.com/p/CHiChWzpUsf/?igshid=jjrh7j595ygf

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It’s a true honor to accept the 2020 @womens_enews 21st Leaders for the 21st Century Loreen Arbus Champion for Disabilities Award. I’ve had the great pleasure of knowing and learning so much from Loreen Arbus over the past decade and I admire those who received this great honor in the years leading up to now. Through my work to advocate for disability inclusion and equality in the media, schools, and workplace, I strive to make life easier for people like Loreen’s sister and myself in the future. I remind people to treat others the way that you want to be treated. It’s okay to be curious. Ask questions and don’t make assumptions and most of all please be kind. We’re all human. Thank you so much to my friend @lorisokolphd for your Women’s eNews leadership and I want to remind everyone here to remember to vote! https://www.instagram.com/p/CG0sxReJmso/?igshid=1oupv29ql80ic

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Thank you to @thinklikeclint for inviting me to participate on the @alticeusa #ADA30 #NDEAM panel discussion today that was moderated by @news12nj @kristinabehr! During our discussion, we explored the importance of the #ADA for people with disabilities, the impact and opportunities presented by #COVID19, and the future of hiring people with disabilities. We also explored what needs to be done to address the barriers that still exist for the employment of people with disabilities. During our discussion, we realized that we’ve come a long way but have a long road ahead. We’re in this together. Game on! https://www.instagram.com/p/CGnn0SLJn27/?igshid=4ucqyi0fd9os

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Thank you to @rosaponcedeleoncoach for inviting me to share my story about overcoming adversity and why experiencing adversity is not a bad thing on your podcast. Tune in to hear why it’s important to look for ways to embrace resiliency gained from overcoming adversities... Find Powerful at Work Radio on your favorite platform: 🎙 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/interview-becky-kekula-motivational-speaker-inclusion/id1532601575?i=1000495393866 🎙 Breaker: https://www.breaker.audio/powerful-at-work/e/74313165 🎙 Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy8zMTYwNTNkNC9wb2RjYXN0L3Jzcw/episode/MDQyODc0OGUtZDMzOS00YTk4LWEzMDUtNzBmZjJkZTAzZGIx?sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwja5cS00cTsAhWKlZ4KHRAaAbEQkfYCegQIARAF 🎙 Overcast: https://overcast.fm/+jVlYYeXDg 🎙 Pocket Casts: https://pca.st/wqh2eghm 🎙 RadioPublic: https://radiopublic.com/powerful-at-work-6v5Owd 🎙 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4sR7jTtgdExHewesaHrcF5 #strength #adversity #leadership #resilience #powerful #makeanimpact #powerfulatwork https://www.instagram.com/p/CGlttYGp4Uy/?igshid=1ign8cb67m7tu

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Repost from @bubblegumprintstudio • Wearing dresses make me feel confident and they allow me to show my scars that contribute to my dwarfism beauty - @beckymotivates . We started this project during lockdown, it was a passion project I’d been wanting to work on for some time. @natalie_amber1 and I have had so many of you sending us photos and your stories and it’s so appreciated. This project means a lot to us! . We want to share people’s thoughts, messages & views to society through type and illustration. . ❤️ Due to the large amount of entries, submissions are now closed, but I’m still open for commissions & collaborations ❤️ . . #bekindproject #messagetosociety #dwarfism #dwarfismawareness #dwarfismbeauty #disabilityawareness #disabilitysupport #scars #scarsarethenewsexy #scarsarebeautful #sendyourmessage #selflovegang #selflovetribe #strongwomen #selflovetribe #fearlesswomen #ladieswhodesign #womenofcreation #atribeofwomen #theillustrationroom #weloveillustration #powerwoman #ladieswhodraw #femaleillustrator #editorialillustration https://www.instagram.com/p/CFx1q4apDBb/?igshid=1jk6vvmjmp04d

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Of the 725 viewers of the @adweek disability inclusion summit, my two year old niece was my favorite! I do what I do to help make the world more inclusive for people in the next generation like Brooke! Let’s keep moving the needle forward! #AdweekDEI #DisabilityInclusion #RepresentationMatters https://www.instagram.com/p/CFxY4fDJxIy/?igshid=1wyecdhu8o72t