Zubee Kibria
on Turning Disability into an Ability to Shine against All Odds
"I have always wanted to wear a bridal outfit, but I never thought it would be possible, though, because of how long they usually are!"
To many of us, this might sound like a simple wish. To Zubee Kibria, it meant writing history. Literally!
In 2023, she was the first disabled model to shine on the catwalk at Europe’s Asian Wedding Show. Why do we need to witness such groundbreaking moments to realize representation is vital? Why can’t we just make inclusivity a norm?
Zubee loved the experience of being a model, even though she was nervous and aware that all eyes would be on her. “Stick to time, navigate the crowd with charm, and enjoy every moment”, said Isaac Harvey, her friend. Her courage and vulnerability brought a wonderful sound to her ears: applause. It all felt right. Too many designers don't serve the disability community and too many event organizers don’t cater for their needs, so Zubee’s milestone shifted the paradigm completely: “This moment gave me hope and a boost of confidence. I would love to see disability represented in more fashion shows!”
Born with cerebral palsy, her mobility has always been affected: “In the community where I was raised, disability was seen as negative, something to be ashamed of, to hide away or get rid of by finding a cure. A disabled individual was seen as unable to live a fulfilled and independent life. A life sentence of being doomed, unable to get a suitable education and work, get married or start a family. So many misconceptions and a lot of discrimination.” Being female made it twice as hard, as parents can be very overprotective. Independence didn’t seem to appear on the horizon.
Not even for a second did she give up. Initially, she volunteered and worked in one of the most challenging and dynamic industries: event management. Years later, Zubee was still craving for more autonomy. “I understand the challenges disabled people face when attending events, which are so important for independence and wellbeing.” Today, Access My Events is Zubee’s award-winning consultancy company that advises businesses on making events accessible to disabled people.
Zubee is an example of resilience. Business was something she always wanted to pursue, although she encountered an initial lack of support. She found it so hard to get the right guidance or to make others believe in her idea. In the moments she felt like giving up, the right people were always there for her, being the best and most amazing companions in her journey.
Read Zubee Kibria’s answers for Inspirators and watch, over and over again, the moment she walks on the catwalk with grace, turning her disability into an ability to shine!
Thank you, Zubee, for being a Trailblazer Model!
#INSPIRATORS QUESTIONNAIRE
Name: Zubee Kibria
Company / Institution: Access My Events; My Voice Podcast
Title: Disability Rights Advocate; Founder; Co-Host; The first disabled model to walk on the catwalk at Europe’s largest Asian Wedding Show
Website: www.accessmyevents.co.uk
LinkedIn profile: linkedin.com/in/zubee-kibria
Country of origin: United Kingdom
Country you currently live in: United Kingdom
Your personal definition of Regeneration: To me, regeneration is about getting out of your comfort zone, about learning and developing your skills, both personally and professionally, to help you succeed. Inner growth and constant regeneration are what support us in reaching our goals and realising our full potential as we are all so diverse and have different backgrounds, skills, and talents!
Main business challenge you face: Business is something I have wanted to pursue for a long time and, as a disabled person new to business, I found there was a lack of support when I first started. In all the organisations I approached I found it hard to get the right guidance and support from them to get it off the ground. It has been difficult to get businesses to believe in my idea and what I’m trying to do. There have been many times I have felt like giving up, but I have since connected with some amazing people who have been supporting me on my business start-up journey.
Main driver that keeps you going: The biggest driver for me is being surrounded by like-minded individuals who support, inspire and motivate me to keep going. Without them, I wouldn’t be able to do what I’m doing!
The trait you are most proud of in yourself: I am very resilient.
By starting my own business as a disabled individual, I initially encountered a notable lack of support. The challenges I faced, coupled with the difficulty in gathering belief in my venture, led to moments of profound doubt, but I forged ahead despite wanting to give up. Building a robust support network also plays a pivotal role, sharing experiences with peers and seeking guidance from mentors.
The trait you most value in others: Kindness is a big one for me and I feel it’s a really good trait to have as you never know what people are going through in their lives. Simply being kind can make all the difference to someone’s day!
Passions & little things that bring you joy: Being surrounded by family and wonderful friends.
A hint or starting point for companies or professionals that are taking the first steps in the regeneration journey: Just stay determined and passionate about what you do and, most importantly, don’t give up!
An honest piece of advice for young people who lose hope: Don’t give up and keep going. Depending on what you are doing, it may take time, but you will get there eventually! Everyone has their own journey, time and clock!
Music that makes you (and your heart) sing: There are so many that I like!
Just to name a few: Katy Perry, Ed Sheeran and Michael Jackson.
Global Regenerative Voices you recommend us to follow:
Jay Shetty who is a former monk turned storyteller shares YouTube videos with words of wisdom. One of my favourite videos of his that I would recommend is called "Before you feel pressure"
Ramit Sethi is another individual I follow who is a financial expert. He also did an 8-part Netflix series where he helped families overcome their financial challenges.
Best places for business networking (online or offline): Access My Events
Events we should attend: The Business Show, Naidex and the Disability Expo, all held in London every year.
Reasons to feel optimistic about our future in 2030: Technology is always changing and improving the way we live. I love seeing new devices come out that help to make a difference in disabled people’s lives. As someone who loves technology, this is something I look forward to in the future!
Reasons to feel pessimistic about our future in 2030: I don’t want to think that far ahead as I don’t know what the future holds and it’s always a worry, but we have to keep going and stay positive. If we think of the worst possible scenarios, that's something that can affect us and impact our willingness to progress and move forward.
The Inspirator you are endorsing for a future edition of the newsletter is:
Isaac Harvey
The quote that inspires you:
“Life is like a camera, just focus on what’s important and capture the good times, develop from the negatives and if things don’t work out, just take another shot." (Ziad K. Abdelnour)
Your own quote that will inspire us:
