Lauren’s Keynotes

The below presentations are perfect for:

Resilience-themed events, Team-building and Lunch & Learns, Youth, Student and Young Adult inspiration events, Women’s Empowerment events and disability-related events such as Rare Disease Month/Day (February), Mobility Awareness Month (May),
Disability Pride Month (July), Invisible Disabilities Week (October) and International Day for Persons with Disabilities (December)

I also offer customized presentations based on your needs and interests.
Reach out to let me know what you’re looking for!

There Is No Normal: 3 Steps to Owning Who You Are

 Best for: High School, Post-Secondary, Youth, Young Adults, Women

 "There Is No Normal: 3 Steps to Owning Who You Are," is an inspirational journey into embracing authenticity and overcoming the fear of judgment. Drawing from her personal experience living with a rare neuromuscular disorder, Lauren shares her transformation from hiding her condition to becoming an award-winning speaker and advocate for invisible disabilities, revealing how the pursuit of "normalcy" often limits our potential and connection to others.

Through relatable stories — including sharing her truth on a second date — Lauren demonstrates the power of vulnerability and self-acceptance. She introduces a practical three-step framework for audiences to claim their experiences and foster deeper connections.

By sharing her "The Daily Yay" philosophy, Lauren illustrates how to celebrate small joys and reframe perspectives. This talk is a call to action to own who you
are and create a more inclusive, empathetic world.

By the end of this session, attendees will:

  1. Overcome Limiting Beliefs: Learn how the pursuit of "normalcy" can hold you back and discover actionable strategies to embrace your authentic self.

  2. Foster Deeper Connections: Understand how sharing your story builds empathy and connection with others, while also finding your supportive community.

  3. Cultivate Resilience Through Joy: Explore the "Daily Yay" method to identify and create moments of joy, reframing challenges into opportunities for growth and gratitude.

Bias, Belief & Belonging: Rewriting Narratives on Disability and Acceptance

 Best for: Corporations, ERGs, Education, Associations

"Bias, Belief and Belonging: Rewriting Narratives on Disability and Acceptance" highlights Lauren’s journey of living with a rare neuromuscular disorder, and the pivotal moments that led her from hiding her invisible disability for over 30 years to embracing all parts of herself.

Drawing from personal experiences and workplace insights, Lauren discusses common biases surrounding disability, the societal assumptions about quality of life, and the challenges of disclosure. She highlights how sharing her story transformed her life, from finding community to inspiring others with similar experiences.

The talk also addresses the professional and personal benefits of disclosure, emphasizing how it enables individuals to connect authentically and engage fully as their whole selves. Through relatable anecdotes, disability statistics, and actionable takeaways, Lauren encourages audiences to challenge preconceived notions about disability and foster inclusivity in their spaces.

By the end of this session, attendees will:

  1. Understanding Disability Bias: Recognize and challenge common societal and workplace biases surrounding visible and invisible disabilities.

  2. The Benefits of Disclosure: Learn how the act of disclosing a disability can foster personal acceptance, strengthen community connections, and enhance workplace engagement.

  3. Creating Joy and Resilience: Adopt practical strategies for cultivating joy and resilience, even in the face of challenges.

Seeking Strength: How to Build Resilience Through Small Moments of Joy

 Best for: Corporations, ERGs, Associations

In “Seeking Strength: How to Build Resilience Through Small Moments of Joy,” Lauren shares her journey from hiding her rare neuromuscular disorder to fully embracing who she is. Through personal stories — like sharing her truth on a second date — Lauren reveals how the pursuit of normalcy holds us back from confidence and connection. She introduces a simple three-step framework to help audiences let go of self-doubt, own their story, and show up fully in their lives.

With her signature concept, “The Daily Yay,” Lauren reframes resilience as an everyday practice of joy and self-acceptance. Audiences will leave inspired to stop shrinking themselves to fit in and start embracing what makes them truly unique.

By the end of this session, attendees will:

  1. Discover how the pursuit of "normalcy" can hold you back and discover actionable strategies to embrace your authentic self.

  2. Understand how sharing your story builds empathy and connection with others, while also finding your supportive community.

  3. Apply the "Daily Yay" method to identify and create moments of joy, reframing challenges into opportunities for growth and gratitude.

  • I had the pleasure of inviting Lauren to speak at a company event [for] the Int'l Day of Persons with Disabilities. She was a delight to work with...very responsive following my inquiry and incredibly collaborative in building a presentation that would work for our team. Her presentation was phenomenal and very well received. It can be difficult to create engagement in a virtual setting but Lauren did a great sparking discussion, and all of us were moved and inspired by her story.

    — Lisa Paterson, VP, Operations & Pre-Claim Services,
    GroupHEALTH Benefit Solutions

  • I had the opportunity to work with Lauren at our Annual Last Lecture event. Lauren attended as our Alum Speaker. She delivered a motivating and impactful speech to the Class of 2024. Working with Lauren was seamless and fun. She followed the guidelines of what was requested and put deep thought into what she wanted to say. This made it easy for us to approve her speech ahead of the deadline. Lauren is a pleasure to work with and I highly recommend her for your next motivational engagement!

    — Urmila Puran, Student Life Coordinator,
    University of Guelph-Humber

  • As part of Asian Heritage Month, Lauren [spoke to] staff and students [at Clarkson Secondary School] for our Speaker series. She shared her own story and lived experiences with overcoming adversity and embracing joy; emphasizing the significance of owning who you are and finding the "yay" in all of life's circumstances. She was inspiring, innovative, and diverse with her delivery, and her desire to connect with the crowd was evident - which is essential for speaking to teens and educators.

    — Estelle Gonzalez-Fadel, Curriculum Head/Teacher,
    Peel District School Board

  • Lauren visited our college group, Chronic Health Advocates, to give a virtual speech titled There is No Normal: 3 Steps to Owning Who You Are in honor of Rare Disease Month. Through her speech, she inspired our audience to think critically and reflect on their lived experiences through reflection exercises and discussion. Her presentation was interactive and engaging, even for a college audience. It was clear she was comfortable and practiced in public speaking, and her passion for advocacy and inspiration was evident. I would highly recommend her to other organizations looking for an eloquent and engaging guest speaker.

    — Lilly Shaw, VP of Accessibility,
    Chronic Health Advocates at George Washington University

Contact Lauren

Looking for an invisible disability speaker for virtual or in-person talks, panels or interviews? I’d love to hear from you!