But I willingly put myself online and put myself out there understanding that this is part of the deal. I'd always gravitated towards people that we're experiencing some sort of oppression or inequity, and was so enamored by the drive and fire that they had to fight against that-to work really hard to bring diversity, equity, and inclusion into everything that they did.ĭoes get exhausting? For sure. And as I looked back at all the people that influenced me, I realized that all of them were activists in their own way maybe not always overtly, but inadvertently, they were activists. Ten years ago, I had the opportunity to write a biography. I definitely wasn't looking to be an activist. No matter what he's doing, he's advocating for d isabled people to have room in all spaces-including the queer community. He's written a biography, starred in documentary, and started a business as a motivational speaker. Rather, it’s his role as an activist who brings disability issues to the forefront of every conversation.

It’s not his success that defines him, though opening for Demi Lovato’s 2014 World Tour as a keynote speaker and climbing Mount Kilimanjaro (raising half a million dollars for clean water in East Africa, BTW) are some pretty powerful feats. Spencer West, a disabled and queer activist, is proud of himself.