How Lauren Pires Inspires - Human Connection Speaker on Disability
Finding an engaging and inspiring disability speaker doesn’t have to be difficult. That’s why we created the Human Connection Speakers Bureau. There are plenty of places to look and find speakers, but how can you feel confident in knowing you’re making the right decision when booking a speaker? Well, we are founded by speakers. We took it upon ourselves to forge a new path and work directly with potential new relationships and focus on the power of Human Connection. We use this blog to help demonstrate how Human Connection works in various topics and why experts in human connection make great keynote speakers.
Today, we want to highlight Lauren, who, despite having dealt a difficult deck of cards, has created a successful pathway that emulates grace and confidence.
Before She Became a Disability Speaker
Lauren may not have forecasted this lifestyle. Today, she can be found on big stages under bright lights, but early on in her life, things were difficult. She needed to learn how to “belong” amongst her peers while dealing with a neuromuscular disorder that she was born with. You may have never heard of Central Core Disease before, but it's a disorder that significantly impacts a person’s strength, which can impact everyday life in ways we all take for granted.
What also makes Central Core Disease challenging is that it doesn’t appear as obvious or glaring to someone else. This can be difficult for people who are dealing with what are called “Invisible Disabilities.” She is outspoken in saying that for over 30 years, she hid her disability from others for various reasons. When you put yourself in her position, you start imagining what your life might be like, and you start finding gratitude in what you don’t need to endure.
It wasn’t until she found a group that helped her feel not alone that she started recognizing a need for her to get out there and help others.
Finding your way through life with roughly 1/3 of the strength of the average person will challenge you. It will build you or break you. Lauren refused to let it break her and now uses her “lack” of strength as a symbol of empowering others to lose sight of obstacles and conquer life with joy.
Now That She is A Keynote Speaker
Having once hidden her disease for over 30 years, Lauren stands tall today as an incredible example of perseverance, courage, and joy. She spreads joy wherever she goes, whether it be on stage, traveling, or just having a conversation with a stranger. It is this raw joy that comes through in her on-stage performance, where she shares not only her story but also helps others to connect with their own story.
Once someone who hid her disability, she now holds the title of an IDA Ambassador for Ontario, Canada. The IDA is the Invisible Disabilities Association, and it helps to create awareness and educate the public on the reality of living with invisible disabilities.
She had this to say about her experience in becoming an ambassador to the IDA.
“Growing up with a rare neuromuscular disorder, I was misdiagnosed at 12 years old (and undiagnosed prior) and finally diagnosed with Central Core Disease (CCD) at 21. At 26, I found a Facebook group for people around the world with CCD, and it was the first time I experienced a sense of community around other people who could relate to living with it. Being involved with the IDA is important to me for both that same sense of community, and the opportunity to be a positive representation of all that you can accomplish while living with – not despite – a disability.”
Since she fully committed to becoming a speaker at the end of 2024, she’s traveled to 6 different countries and spoken to thousands of people. She’s relatively new to the speaking circuit, considering it’s only been a little over a year, but her impact has been felt wherever she goes.
In 2023, she was awarded the #2 Inspirational Speaker of the Year Title at Speaker Slam, one of the largest inspirational speaking competitions in the world. (Number 1, by the way, was none other than Martin!)
How She Can Elevate Your Speaking Event
Lauren is as real as it gets. Where some speakers benefit from a charismatic moniker or unique identifying trait, Lauren is simply just HER. She is unique. She is disabled. She is bubbly. She PRACTICES what she preaches. Her Daily JOY can be found on her website. She inspires others because she doesn’t command attention or respect when she enters a room. She isn’t some billion-dollar sales guy who’s going to intimidate and escalate your audience.
She will shower the room with praise and love and joy, and demonstrate that her approach to life can help just about anyone to become more resilient in anything that they do. Her presentation “Seeking Strength” aims to do the following for your audience:
Discover how the pursuit of "normalcy" can hold you back and discover actionable strategies to embrace your authentic self.
Understand how sharing your story builds empathy and connection with others, while also finding your supportive community.
Apply the "Daily Yay" method to identify and create moments of joy, reframing challenges into opportunities for growth and gratitude.
If any of this sounds like you may want to learn a bit more about Lauren and what she could provide for your event. We recommend reaching out via our contact form! We can answer any questions you have and help you get everything booked with Lauren so you can feature one of the hottest new disability speakers in North America!