We are putting professionals and students with disabilities "In the Limelight"
Whether it’s as a student, intern, mid-level manager, or high-level executive, individuals with disabilities bring a unique perspective and diverse talents to the world, universities, and the workplace each and every day. To showcase this, we invited students and professionals across the U.S. and Canada to step "In the Limelight" and share their stories of living and achieving as a person with a disability. Click here to learn more about the annual contest for cash prizes sponsored by Lime Connect special advisor and Google Chief Internet Evangelist, Vint Cerf.
Meet Our Winners! Hear first-hand, the amazing talent and perseverance within our community.
To see our full library of over 100 In the Limelight Video Contest Submissions, visit our YouTube Channel by clicking HERE.
1st Place Winner - Sparsh S. (2021)
"I’m Sparsh Shah, an 18-year-old rebranding disability through musicianship, inspirational speaking, and philanthropy. Due to Osteogenesis Imperfecta, I can’t walk or stand, I’ve experienced 140+ fractures, and I have 8 rods and 22 screws in my body. But my disability doesn’t define me; it drives me."
Press play on the video to learn more about how Sparsh is rebranding disability through achievement!
2nd Place Winner - Emeline L. (2021)
"Every day, I get to make business decisions that will impact our bottom line. I’m incredibly lucky to be at Unilever. I’m lucky to be employed—only 44% of blind Americans are. Being a blind marketer has its challenges, like sales tracking programs that were never intended to be used by someone like me or needing to problem solve for approving artwork and packaging. But I’ve also become a leader in a global disability inclusion workstream, presented to dozens of employees on disability culture and etiquette, and regularly consult with several internal and brand teams for disability-related projects."
Press play on the video to learn more about how Emeline is rebranding disability through achievement!
3rd Place Winner - Blake S. (2021)
"Despite going through severe vision loss six years ago when I was 16, due to a genetic condition called LHON, I have been able to adapt and overcome many life challenges. I was able to keep up in school by learning a variety of assistive technologies and was able to graduate from university magna cum laude in just 3.5 years with my degree in marketing and minor in Spanish. I now work a dream marketing job as a digital marketing strategist for TASCO, a mountain bike apparel company."
Press play on the video to learn more about how Blake is rebranding disability through achievement!
Honorable Mention - Ashley T. (2021)
"Ashley Thomas, CEO, Bridge II Sports, was born with spina bifida; a fierce advocate for people living with physical disabilities, with the goal of people development. Sport is the tool used to provide a safe environment for individuals who desire to be part of their community, but are oftentimes limited either through words, opportunities, or simply the world all of us live in. She wants to change the perception of disability to show that all individuals belong."
Press play on the video to learn more about how Ashley is rebranding disability through achievement!
Honorable Mention - Julia H. (2021)
"I always dreamed of being a writer, but then senior year of high school I was a victim of sexual violence that triggered the first symptoms of a functional neurological disorder, including functional tics, seizures, and muscle weakness. I thought I’d lost everything. But I couldn’t give up. I took my classes from my bed. I wrote while sitting in hospital waiting rooms. I published a book of poetry talking about my disability. I joined Lime Connect and began interning as a journalist at Google, where I’ll be returning after graduating with my Bachelors from The University of Texas at Austin in just 2.5 years."
Press play on the video to learn more about how Julia is rebranding disability through achievement!
Honorable Mention - Manisha D. (2021)
"2020 was a year I vowed not to let my disabilities or lack of social inclusion keep me away from anything I wanted. Holding a protest and being featured locally on the news while challenging more giant corporations to consider their impacts on the disabled community was a whirlwind. Recently, I was elected the National Outreach Chair for the Disability Issues Caucus for the Young Democrats of America. All of these beautiful roles and accomplishments of my life bloomed out of the honor of participating [In the video contest] last year and not being afraid to live a vulnerable disabled life."
Press play on the video to learn more about how Manisha is rebranding disability through achievement!