Pauline Victoria of Hilo, Hawaii, was born without arms and legs -- but that didn't stop her from owning her own business or helping others with disabilities find their way.
"Growing up, there were no role models of a person with a disability thriving in life. Not having a picture of what is possible can leave you feeling uncertain and hopeless about your future. So I had to make my way through life in the dark, achieving things in my life with only the belief that I could... get married, be employed, drive, own a house, have a baby, etc.," Victoria told Big Island Times.
She said that she suffered from depression and struggled to find how to define herself and achieve things, despite her disability.
"I know that if I had a role model or a person I could look to as an example of what is possible, I would have suffered less from depression. The media is a huge influence on us as people in helping form our identity in relation to the world and how the world can relate to us, people with disabilities," Victoria said.
So she started One Leg Up Productions as a way to help others navigate the world of the arts and media and give them a chance to be heard.
"Unfortunately, there is a stark lack of representation of people with disabilities in the media. People with disabilities make up 20% of our global population, and yet there is a very small percentage of representation of people with disabilities. And when they are represented, it's usually affirming the stereotypes of pity, hardship, hero or burden," Victoria said.
Only 22% of all characters with disabilities on television are played by an actor with the same disability, and 78% of characters who have a disability are still played by actors without the portrayed disability, according to Variety.
One in five people in the U.S. have a disability; however, just 3.1% of characters on a primetime show have a disability, a report by the nonprofit RespectAbility shows.
A majority of Victoria's media projects are in the form of a talk show called "Chair Chats." She utilizes YouTube to highlight lifestyle topics that are relevant to and from the perspective of people with disabilities.
"Here I get to showcase many people with disabilities living life on their own terms and how they do that, so that others can do the same," Victoria said.
She believes that the entertainment industry needs to be more accessible to those with disabilities.
"These changes are not only physical but attitudinal," Victoria said. "In order for people with disabilities to be seen as viable contributors to this industry, the industry needs to be willing to see us in that light. Once they see our value, the domino effect of opening their doors to us will begin."
But she said that the change can't happen only within the industry; those with disabilities have to step up as well.
"In the same vein, we, as people with disabilities, need to recognize our own value and live in a way that commands others to also take notice of it. Technology makes so much accessible that we no longer have to wait for other powers-that-be to allow us to bring forth our value. Just like I did, any person can create anything they want as long as they have the passion and a growth mindset that supports their vision."