Role models in the dwarfism community: Becky Curran, international motivational speaker, advocate, and consultant

Welcome back, to the second in our new series of interviews with role models in the dwarfism community. A few days ago, RGA UK VC Eugene Grant caught up with international motivational speaker, advocate, and consultant, Becky Curran.

Here’s what she had to say. You can watch her TEDx Talk here.

Please introduce yourself: who are you and where are you from?
My name is Becky Curran. I’m 33 years old. I have Achondroplasia. I currently reside in New York City. I’m originally from south of Boston, Massachusetts, attended college in Providence, Rhode Island, and spent the first six years of my career in Los Angeles, California.

And what do you do?
I’m an international motivational speaker and an advocate for diversity and inclusion on a global scale. I spend most of my days working in the diversity department at the largest entertainment union, SAG-AFTRA, where we work to ensure greater levels of inclusion in entertainment and news media for performers who have been historically excluded. This includes little people.

Do you enjoy it?
I thoroughly enjoy the work that I do. What’s really satisfying about my job at SAG-AFTRA is that I’m in front of people every single day, and am given opportunities here that I might not be given in other work places where my capabilities might be doubted.

How did you end up doing it?
I got into this work to advocate for people who are physically different. After working at a talent agency and television studio for a total of six years, I began speaking to educate as many people as possible so they don’t doubt the capabilities of people who are often left out. My work at SAG-AFTRA is an extension of my advocacy work.

If you were 21 again, would you do something different?
If I was 21 again, I would have started speaking at more schools and organizations. It took until the age of 27 for me to start taking speaking seriously. Regardless, I moved out to California at age 22. Spreading my wings that early on isn’t something I’ll ever regret.

What’s the best thing about your job?
I feel very respected at SAG-AFTRA and I love collaborating with my colleagues and our members. The schools and organizations where I speak encourage me to feel empowered.

What’s the worst job you’ve ever done?
I would say that accounting, which I did during my first internship, was something I didn’t enjoy. However, I was glad that I gave it a try and then realized that it wasn’t for me.

What are the best and worst aspects about being small?
What you see is what you get. There’s no hiding being small. However I wouldn’t want to be born any other way. All I know is how to live my life as a little person. I may want to change the way that the outside world reacts to my difference but I’m fine being little.

If you could pass on one piece of advice to your teenage self what would that be?
Be independent, stay true to yourself, and don’t get too discouraged by rejection. Everything happens for a reason and each rejection makes you stronger for the next experience.

Which living person do you most admire and why?
I admire my father. He didn’t have the easiest childhood but he went on to build the family and life that he always wanted.

How do you like to pass the time, outside of work?
I love being by the water, photography, networking, traveling, trying new restaurants, spending time with family, and writing reviews for Google.

What’s your favorite book?
My favorite book is “Daring Greatly” by Dr. Brené Brown.

What do you consider to be your greatest achievement?
In November 2013, I was asked to skip American Thanksgiving with my family and travel from Boston to Kenya, in order to help launch little people organization. Before I made my travel decision, a little person in South Africa reached out to say that she wishes that she could have the confidence that I have. I give full credit to my parents and how well they raised me. I wish that this woman had the same amount of encouragement, from an early age. In Africa, and several other countries, parents are known to hide their children if they have any sort of physical difference. I knew that receiving that message was my calling. On December 3rd, 2013, 500 people, including families who were known to hide their children in other environments, came to celebrate the launch of the Kenya Association of People with Dwarfism. From American Thanksgiving through December 6, 2013, I had the opportunity share my story all over Nairobi, in newspapers, on radio stations, television talk shows, and on stage, in order to restore faith in the community and remind them that anything is possible. Nelson Mandela died on my last night in Africa. This is pretty ironic since he reminded all of us that “it always seems impossible until it’s done.”

When your time comes, how would you like to be remembered?
Influencer of more positive portrayals in the media, which led to more acceptance for all of the amazing little people who come after me. I would like to be known for my confidence, independence, perseverance, and all that I accomplished, despite living with dwarfism in an average height world.