Stella Young
| Stella Young | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born |
24 February 1982 Stawell, Victoria, Australia |
| Died |
6 December 2014 (aged 32) Melbourne, Victoria, Australia |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Alma mater |
Deakin University University of Melbourne |
| Occupation | Journalist and comedian |
| Website | http://stellayoung.com/ |
Stella Jane Young (24 February 1982 – 6 December 2014) was an Australian comedian, journalist and disability rights activist.[1][2]
Early life
Young was born in 1982[3] at Stawell, Victoria.[4] She was born with osteogenesis imperfecta, and used a wheelchair for most of her life.[5]
She held a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Public Relations from Deakin University, Geelong and a Graduate Diploma in Education from the University of Melbourne. After graduating in 2004, she worked for a time as a secondary school teacher.[6][7]
Career
Young served as the editor for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's online magazine, Ramp Up.[8] Before joining the ABC, she had worked as an educator in public programs at Melbourne Museum, and hosted eight seasons of No Limits, a disability culture program on community television station Channel 31.[9]
Having previously appeared in several showcases and group shows, Stella made her festival debut as a solo performer at the 2014 Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Her show Tales from the Crip, directed by Nelly Thomas, won her the award for best newcomer at the festival.[9]
Young did a TEDxSydney talk in April 2014, entitled "I'm not your inspiration, thank you very much", in which she deconstructed society's habit of turning disabled people into what she called "inspiration porn".[6]
She was a member of the boards of the Ministerial Advisory Council for the Department of Victorian Communities, Victorian Disability Advisory Council, the Youth Disability Advocacy Service and Women with Disabilities Victoria.[10]
Death
Young died unexpectedly in Melbourne, on 6 December 2014 of a suspected aneurysm.[11]
References
- ↑ Bannister, Brooke (29 February 2012). "Who are you? Stella Young". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 7 December 2014.
- ↑ "Stella Young profile". Abc.net.au. 31 March 2011. Retrieved 8 December 2014.
- ↑ Stella Young (26 April 2013). "The Politics of Exclusion". Ramp Up. Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
In 1982, the year I was born, the Victorian Government announced a major review of the education system for children with disabilities.
- ↑ Dave Fregon. "Stella Young | 2012 Global Atheist Convention". Atheistconvention.org.au. Retrieved 7 December 2014.
- ↑ Michelle Griffin (22 September 2011). "Lunch with Stella Young". Theage.com.au. Retrieved 8 December 2014.
- 1 2 "TED Speaker: Stella Young". ted.com. Retrieved 8 December 2014.
- ↑ "ABC Ramp Up: About This Website". Abc.net.au. Retrieved 2015-12-23.
- ↑ "About this Website – ABC Ramp Up". Abc.net.au. Retrieved 8 December 2014.
- 1 2 Calligeros, Marissa (8 December 2014). "Stella Young dead: comedian, ABC journalist and disability advocate dies at 32". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 8 December 2014.
- ↑ "Stella Young, writer, comedian and disability activist dies". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 8 December 2014. Retrieved 8 December 2014.
- ↑ Marissa Calligeros (2012-02-29). "Stella Young dead: comedian, ABC journalist and disability advocate dies at 32". Smh.com.au. Retrieved 2015-12-23.