A Camera Saved Her Life: How Zaakirah Turned Disability Into Vision | Divas with Disabilities

In this Diva Call, Zaakirah shares her powerful journey of living with multiple disabilities — from losing vision in one eye to navigating hearing loss and PCOS — and how she turned her lived experiences into a lifelong mission of advocacy, resilience, and creative storytelling. Hosted by Dr. Donna Walton, founder and president of the Divas with Disabilities Project, this talk explores what it means to hold multiple identities at once, advocate for yourself and your community, and find "pockets of joy" even in the hardest seasons. Zaakirah reflects on her travels to over 15 countries, her evolution from journaling as a child to delivering a TEDx talk, and the importance of sharing your story so others can find their way. Topics covered in this video: • Introduction to the Divas with Disabilities Project • Zaakirah's backstory: childhood eye cancer, hearing loss, and identity • Checking in with your senses and practicing gratitude • The power of photography, journaling, and storytelling as healing • Self-advocacy in school, travel, and everyday life • Navigating hard seasons and finding your pockets of joy • Building your legacy and sharing your truth About the Divas with Disabilities Project: Founded in 2012 and incorporated in 2017, the Divas with Disabilities Project is a non-profit organization dedicated to amplifying the images and representation of Black and Brown women with disabilities. DIVAS stands for Dynamic, Illuminating, Victorious, Achieving Sisters Zaakirah is a cancer survivor, TEDx speaker, author, podcaster, creative strategist, professional photographer, and digital marketer. She helps entrepreneurs to grow their brands confidently and consistently. At 6 months old, a camera saved her life. At 9 months old, she was taken into surgery to have her right eye removed due to a rare childhood eye cancer tumor that was detected by a photo her mom took. Her hearing slowly declined as she got older, but her other three senses kicked in and are functioning well. At age five, her mom gifted her with her first camera. She received her first digital camera in middle school. By the time she attended technical high school, she studied commercial photography. She never strayed too far from her purpose in life. Later, she moved to Washington, D.C., to expand her education in professional photography and videography. She has traveled to 15 countries and 25 states. She took her professional camera on most of her out of country travels but Ghana, West Africa was the first time that others viewed her work as if they were on the trip and had traveled with her, due to the way she beautifully captures sceneries and personalities. Connect on social: Facebook:   / illuminousone   Twitter:   / illuminousone   Instagram:   / illuminousone   TikTok:   / zaakirahnayyar   learn about the Divas with Disabilities Project and why amplifying disability representation matters. The conversation discusses seeing life through a different lens. We focus on the importance of amplifying the images and lived experiences of Black women with disabilities in media and society. This discussion highlights the power of intentional disability advocacy. Whether you are seeking better representation or looking to understand how to support this vital work. Subscribe for weekly conversations on disability and identity, and let me know in the comments how you are advocating for better representation in your own circles.