E68: Disability and Religious Abuse: "God Will Make You See Again" w/ Itto Outini

In this RfRx session we hear Itto Outini’s story about coming out of Islam and her struggles and successes after becoming disabled. We explore how religious organizations treat disabled communities and what we could all do as a society to change the manner in which disabled communities are treated. We also discuss value, acceptance and tolerance towards minorities, such as disabled non-believers.

Itto Outini was born and raised in Morocco by a Jewish father and Muslim mother. Both parents died and she was raised by different family members. She did not attend school until the age of seventeen as she was viewed as nothing but a slave to her family. She was stabbed by her uncle’s wife at the age of seventeen and lost her sight, family, and was left homeless in the streets of Morocco. She began school at the age of seventeen for the first time. Graduated high school and went to the university where she was awarded the Fulbright Scholarship to study a Master’s degree in Journalism in the United States. After graduating with her Master’s she was approved for asylum to stay in the United States. She is now a journalist, a human rights activist, accessibility advocate, and atheist. During the discussion you may hear a voice in the background and that would be Itto’s assistant, Amy. Hosted by Amaia Perez, the RfR Online Programming Director, and Eric Wells, the RfR Support Group Director.

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