Small Change Story: Invisible Disabilities

Katye Barton, age 47, describes herself as a high-functioning autistic adult with mild cerebral palsy. Katye is focused on improving the lives of people with intellectual disabilities, with a special emphasis on advocating for better mental health and obesity services. Jessica Wick joined our conversation. She has been Katye’s supporter for about a decade, helping her navigate different situations when needed—like with our interview.  We covered a wide range of topics with Katye, from how she learned to manage her money to the critical role the Special Olympics played in her life. Katye is persistent in her efforts to create a more inclusive environment for people dealing with intellectual disabilities. “We’re not scary,” says Katye. “If you see somebody in the community who was different, looks different, who acts different, go up and say hi.”