Finding Avalon: Storytelling, Advocacy & Life

Welcome to DisabiliTEA: Conversations for Change. This special video edition of the Finding Avalon Podcast features authentic chats over hot cups of tea with Disabled, chronically ill and neurodivergent changemakers, citizens and our allies.

Episode 9 features the incomparable Lillian “Missy” Searl. Missy spent a lifetime labelled, misdiagnosed and misunderstood – until one word changed everything: neurodivergent. Now, she advocates from her empowered realization and lived experience as a neurodivergent parent to a child with dyslexia and dysgraphia.

Her TedX Talk “The Mosaic Mind” speaks to her intersections as neurodivergent parent and advocate – and as Black woman over 50 navigating menopause, when ageism, racism, mental health and gender bias often converge with systemic inequity.

Missy is also the Executive Director of Period Equity Alliance Society and Provincial Coordinator of the Nurturing Strong African Nova Scotian Families parenting program. She’s a decorated business leader and community champion, but her most cherished titles are wife to Stuart and mom to Chris and Daniel, and their growing families.

“I’ve spent a lot of time speaking about my neurodiversity. I’d been an advocate for my son since he was nine years old. I think we just have to push that six-letter word aside: stigma. We all get stuck with that word and feel embarrassed to reveal that this is what’s going on in my home with my children, with myself. There’s really no shame.

That’s why we have always spoken about our journey as a family, and me as a parent and my son has shared his journey as well. And I think the intersections that both Daniel and I have with race, with gender, with our age, and of course me with my hormones – those barriers can multiply.

For me, as a Black woman who is over 50, moving through menopause and navigating neurodivergence, I have learned quickly how invisible you can become in systems that weren’t designed for us, that don’t have us in mind.

We’re dealing with brain fog, sensory overload, emotional regulation challenges and executive functioning struggles that are being dismissed as, “Oh, you’re just getting old,” “You’re just stressed” or “Oh my gosh, I cannot handle her anymore. What is wrong with her? She’s way too much!”

And then the microaggressions you experience as well. All of these experiences are never met with anyone who’s curious to find out what’s going on or who’s compassionate about it. And because we’re women, we’re expected to just power through it, push through it, smile and be strong.”

Missy Searl

About this Episode

DisabiliTEA: Stigma out, Inclusion in: Neurodivergence, Menopause and Accessible Workplace with Missy Searl (Season 1, Episode 9)

In this enlightening conversation, Jenna Barnable and Missy Searl discuss various aspects of disability, neurodivergence and advocacy. Missy – a decorated business leader and advocate –shares her journey as a neurodivergent advocate and parent, highlighting the intersectionality of her experiences as a Black woman over 50.

This warm conversation explores the complexities of trauma, unfair stigma surrounding neurodiversity, and how hormones can amplify neurodivergence in women and AFAB folks. Workplaces can and must be accessible and inclusive for all people and outdated taboos only keep barriers in place.

Missy and Jenna share personal experiences and discuss the educational work they each do as advocates to improve accessibility and understanding of access needs, neurodiversity, universal design and women’s health, including menopause. Learn more about Missy’s workshops offer with her partner Ann Divine at Ashanti Leadership.

Watch Missy’s Episode here

Episode Sponsor

Thank you to Pebble Pottery, this episode’s enthusiastic supporter. Talented artisan Emily Richards is a contemporary potter based out of Saint John, New Brunswick.

She kindly sent along a pair of beautiful mugs that are featured on the video episode — and her Pebble line mug has become one of my most reached for vessels – for tea and even soup, given its generous size, surprising light weight and comfortable handle that is easy for me to use and hold securely (even when my hands are stiff). Add to it the sensory bliss of a satisfying tactile surface of pebbled texture and smooth glazing and I call this a mug a winner!

Emily’s work is heavily inspired by her love of nature. Her Pebble line of speckled stoneware is handpainted and glazed to look and feel like a landscape in the palm of your hand. And it really does! Support an Atlantic Canadian small batch pottery business by checking Emily’s stunning and functional work out and snagging one of her pieces for your own collection.

Thank you Pebble Pottery for supporting Disabled creators and for being one of the first eager sponsors who went above and beyond to support this program. Emily is a true ally and exemplary community member!

Learn More

• Missy Searl on Instagram
• Subscribe to DisabiliTEA on YouTube
• Follow DisabiliTEA on Spotify
• DisabiliTEA Series Episode List
• Pebble Pottery (Emily Richards) on Instagram
• Regions mentioned: New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Canada

Thank You / Support a Disabled Creator

Thank you for supporting DisabiliTEA – an award-winning, Disabled-led, Atlantic Canadian program! Every like, share and comment really matters to Disabled creators, helping build a stronger, more inclusive community.

This is an entirely grassroots labour of love where Jenna creates accessible, cost-free public educational resources, without assistance or funding. Here are ways to support Jenna as she continues contributing to inclusive change, community empowerment and disabled justice. Donations are gladly accepted to help cover basic operational costs for the podcast and blog.