Sinead Burke

“Clothes are not a frivolous subject, and the conversation around them should not be belittled. How we dress affects what we feel, what we do, and who we are.”

“I want garments that reflect my personality. It's difficult to find in the childrenswear department. And often, womenswear requires far too many alterations. I want shoes that affect my matu...”

“Disability is articulated as a struggle, an unnecessary burden that one must overcome to the soundtrack of a string crescendo. But disabled lives are multi-faceted - brimming with personalit...”

“I was fortunate and worked hard to graduate top of my class as a primary school teacher and receive the Vere Foster Award, which is the medal given to the graduate who attains the highest ma...”

“If somebody, without knowing me, comes up to me and wants to upset or belittle me, I think that reflects badly on them, not me... if you're ever unsure of what to call me or someone like me,...”

“My height was not a deterrent, and it did not make me the person I am. It was like my long brown hair or my brown eyes - a physical characteristic that differentiated me from quite a percent...”

“My siblings, along with my parents Chris and Kath, are the reason that I am successful. Whether I wanted to become an elementary school teacher, enter and win Alternative Miss Ireland, enrol...”

“Hate crime and hate speech must not be tolerated. Our policy and lawmakers and those who uphold the law must protect the most vulnerable in our society.”

“For so long, the fashion industry has designed almost exclusively for a particular woman with particular measurements, and they've never really been challenged on it. We're all consumers, ye...”

“With the rise of social media, it has given me an opportunity and a platform to have a voice as a blogger and as an activist, but it has also made me nervous that I might become a meme or a...”

“Listening sounds like a ridiculous characteristic for mentoring, but genuinely being invested and interested in people, meeting them for cups of coffee and spending time with people, and usi...”

“Having to re-articulate your values and, most importantly, your rights, is something that can be quite tiring and frustrating. However, I am meticulous and tenacious and will continue to do...”

“The word 'midget' is a slur. It evolved from P. T. Barnum's era of circuses and freak shows. Society has evolved. So should our vocabulary. Language is a powerful tool. It does not just name...”

“Looking at how things might be under Trump is scary, particularly when a pinnacle moment in his campaign saw him mocking and belittling a reporter with a disability.”

“When people learn that I'm a qualified primary school teacher, I'm often met with surprise and a list of questions, including, 'How do the children react? How do you do it?' Children are som...”

“Using a public bathroom is an incredibly embarrassing experience. I enter the stall but can't reach the lock on the door.”