Platform Stories

07/07/2024

♿️🌻 Have you heard about hidden disabilities? Do you know how for many living with hidden disabilities, life can be complex and challenging. Chronic pain is one of these hidden disabilities, and it something that 1 in 5 Australians live with.

Michelle Pownell is one woman who experiences a cluster of conditions that mean she lives with Chronic pain, and how she spends her time is dependent upon how her pain levels present each day. The journey to diagnosis and understanding herself has been a long one for Michelle and has led her to find a way to live her life facing her challenges finding joy in representing, advocating and educating others and challenging stereotypes about on what living life with a dynamic disability can look like... and she does it in a riot of colour and confidence!
I would love you to meet Michelle, and read her story at the link below!

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25/05/2024

Many people talk about representation, and how much it matters. This is true for people with disability, who have been underrepresented or misrepresented in the mainstream news and media for so long. Platform stories is a chance to share women with disabilities stories with others so that we may see ourselves reflected, all doing our amazing and ordinary things in everyday life, and find commonalities, encouragement or role models of what is possible.

Imagine then, how much it resonated with me to read about another woman, who, like me, sustained an injury falling of a horse and is now a mother, wife, wheelchair user and so much more!! Instantly I related to Katherine Reed, even across the country I felt a sense of understanding of her journey – like all of us Katherines' hopes, dreams and experiences are unique, and I was interested to learn how her life had unfolded and what successes and challenges she had faced. It makes me happy to share her story with you here on the Platform.. have a read at the link below.

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01/04/2024

Travel means different things to each of us, for me, it's the sense of wonder that comes from meeting people living a different life to your own and seeing places you've dreamt about come to life. I love that travel has confirmed my belief that ultimately, people, no matter whether we have a disability or what culture we come from, are more alike than we are different.

I am thankful, that i have experienced some amazing places in the world, often managing a lack of accessibility and the challenges that come with that, not knowing anyone else who I could seek hints, tips and information on destinations from.

In recent years, more accessibility focused blogs have started popping up and there is now a lot of information out there. The online world has provided a space where travelers living with disability are sharing their experience and knowledge so that others may benefit and find a source of reassurance that travelling the world, although still challenging... is possible.

With an attitude of "Everything is possible, it just might look a little bit different than you originally planned" Kendra Erhardt is one woman who is making a difference by advocating and sharing her journey so that others can see how others do it and showcase how much out there is possible!

I'd love you to read about Kendra in the link below

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07/01/2024

Imagine growing up knowing that your body was not quite doing what everyone else’s was doing but not finding answers to your health issues.
Meet Jo who was diagnosed with Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS) at 45 and learn how she navigates her hidden disability and works to help others like her.

Far too often many people with rare disabilities spend years searching for answers and being dismissed, meet one woman who persisted and is lighting the way for others who share her journey to diagnosis and beyond to support and acceptance.

17/12/2023

Its been awhile since we have had a story on the Platform... and a while since Tahira Kelly shared her story with us. Platform Stories is delighted to share with you just
how busy and creative this young Yamatji woman has been since we first spoke with her in 2021.
Take a minute to see just what she has been up to, and how much this young woman has achieved since we caught up with her last.

Art and Achievement go hand in hand for this Yamatji woman with disabilities.

10/09/2023

Many of you know that I sustained my spinal cord injury when I was 15 years old. It was that tricky age, where being with your peers and “fitting in” are all consuming. When you are navigating how to be an individual yet desperately wanting to be just like one of the groups.
When you find yourself on the outer of that – because having a disability creates whole new challenges and learning how to live a new life takes up so much of your energy; escape, into things like the world of film and television was often a n easier place to be.
It dawned on me early in my journey that I never saw anyone like me in the film and television I watched. Characters with disability on screen were often the victims, or living a life with disability they were desperate to or be saved from or be pitied for.
Thankfully things are changing, and social media has given individuals with disabilities the power to take control of their representation and show the world how we really want to be seen, however there is such a long way to go for representation to be truly embedded into the everyday and to see the authentic realities of everyday life depicted in the content we watch.

In Australia, 1 in 6 people live with a disability, 17 per cent of whom are under the age of 15. That's a whole lot of young people growing up, not seeing themselves represented.

And it's not just on screen where that is lacking. It's crucial that people living with disabilities are represented behind the scenes as well; in positions of authority, working in media, in casting, production, acting, the whole gamut of roles available, and the inclusion of disabled talent will not happen by accident.

One woman making her mark and creating change in the world of media, who is passionate about representation is Chanel Bowen.
I had the pleasure of hearing Chanel tell her story and was thrilled to know she is advocating for change as she uses her unique position to influence her industry and proudly representing the disability community throughout the creative process.

Read her story at the link below 🎬🎧🎥

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17/06/2023

I am proud to live on Southern Yamatji land, and I was thrilled to have a custom art piece designed for Platform Stories by the talented Tahira Kelly, a local Artist and Yamatji woman with disability.
Stay tuned for an update on Tahira’s story, in the meantime check out my new artwork to be embedded into Platform Stories website and templates. How lucky am I!?🙏😁❤️🧡❤️🖤

ID Chris sits next to Tahira, they are smiling and Tahira is holding an original artwork she created for Chris and Platform Stories, it has a purple wheelchair surrounded by circles of dots in turquoise and purple with cream dots representing women. Chris is in jeans and a blue floral blouse, Tahira is in shorts and a grey t shirt. Both women are using wheelchairs.
A close up image of the artwork created by Tahira focussing in on the purple wheelchair and surrounding circles.

26/03/2023

Platform Stories is back!! Life has been hectic and taken me away from many of the things that matter, and sharing stories is one of them.
Recently I was reminded of why women need each other, need to see each other and to learn from each other. I met a group of young vibrant women, each navigating their lives in different ways but sharing the same hopes and aspirations to find their place, and to create a life not bound by preconceived notions of who and how they should live. Their energy and enthusiasm was refreshing to witness.
Jaimie Topham was one of those young women, living with disability, leading an extraordinary, ordinary life. A new graduate, an artist and the holder of much talent just waiting to be shared.
Living with a rare form of Muscular Dystrophy, Jaimie refuses to allow her prognosis to slow her down, dealing with the challenges that come her way as she moves into adulthood while pushing herself to make the most of her passions and reach her full potential.
I am pleased to be able to bring you an insight into Jaimie’s life, I thank her for sharing.
You can read more about Jaimie at the link below 🙂♿️

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28/09/2022

Platform stories is so proud of Naomi on the launch of her latest book in the Harmony the Forgetful Hen series.. another wonderful story by a wonderful storyteller! Go Naomi ♥️📚♿️

Naomi Lake's official book launch as part of the Festival Of Awesome today in Perth, Western Australia has sold out.

Very exciting Naomi, lot's of pictures to come!

Written by Naomi Lake
Illustrated by Dave McCleery

To purchase: https://harmonyhen.com/

04/09/2022

At the time I had my accident and resulting spinal cord injury, there wasn’t much by way of innovation in treatment or rehabilitation lifestyle options. I spent six months in rehabilitation, before I returned to a world that now felt unknown, scary, and inaccessible to me in my new life as a wheelchair user.
It was also seemingly devoid of any female public Spinal Cord Injury role models, let alone people with any disabilities in public roles, and social media was not yet a thing, so it was difficult to find my “people”.
One of the things that had the most impact on me, and that played a role in changing my life and mindset was meeting other women with disabilities.
It was these women who helped give me perspective about how to live my life as a competent and confident spinal cord injury survivor and advocate for others. This fueled my desire to share women's stories with each other. Stories that reinforce that it is possible to live your life fully, independently, and successfully all the while managing the challenges that having a disability brings.
It makes me very happy to bring you Ebonny McGann’s story. Her enthusiasm to reclaim the life she wants to lead, while acknowledging that the journey of recovery and inclusion is never easy, highlights her resilience and determination. Ebonny is part of a new generation of young women living with disability, who are empowered, active, articulate and who are claiming their place in the world. It makes my heart sing to know that Ebonny and others like her are part of my "people".

Read her story at the link below.

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20/03/2022

🎼 🎧 🎵 🎤 ♿ I love music, I grew up with my parents classical music playing throughout the house, and as the youngest child, I was influenced by the musical choices my older siblings made. I remember hearing my brothers Beatles record, buying my first record, going to my first concert.

Music is powerful and very personal. Music gives us a space and a place to disappear into when we need many things including comfort, strength, and celebration. The range of emotions and solace found in listening to music that you can relate to can't be underestimated.
For many their musical tastes and interests are strongly tied to their sense of identity. For artists, songwriters, and people with disabilities generally this is also true. ♿
Many are also having to challenge the barriers they face to make the arts more accessible, both in the creative space and the performance space, and they do it while navigating the challenges that their own disability brings to the creative process.

🎼 🎧 🎵 🎤 Our latest Platform Storyteller, Amanda Turner, has discovered that her love of music and discovering both her voice and flair for songwriting is helping her heal from trauma and navigate her own journey of rediscovering her self-esteem. She is using her voice to help others that have experienced bullying and stigma in their lives and help build courage in themselves by sharing her life experiences.
Read more about Amanda's musical journey at Platform Stories link below.

"Our abilities are often underestimated. We are so capable of being incredible human beings!" Amanda Turner

11/03/2022

Many of you may know that growing up I was horse mad. I lived and breathed horses and was lucky enough to ride across many disciplines from a young age. I loved messing about on horseback with my friends, and pony club. I was also a strapper in a racing stable and a strapper for a polocrosse team.
Then at the age of 15, I sustained a spinal cord injury in a horse-riding accident, that left me a wheelchair user.

My love for horses never diminished, but the reality was that the ability to be back around horses was not easy, and although I never lost my passion, and returned to the saddle several times, as my life unfolded, my passions turned elsewhere.

So it is with delight and heightened interest I am delighted to introduce you to the latest Platform Storyteller, Noella Angel, a fellow horse lover who happens to be a very talented rider and is determined to excel at her chosen sport despite having already had 103 treatments to manage her disability.

Hardly surprising that Noella has her sights set on the Paris Paralympics in 2024 – and I hope you enjoy her story and her determination as much as I did.
Get an insight into Noella’s journey on horseback in the latest Platform Story.
ID- an image of a woman standing with her back to the camera, she is wearing a navy riding jacket and her underwear is visible under the jacket. She has on knee length black riding boots and is holding a bridle in her left hand by her side. An abnormal tangle of blood vessels connecting arteries and veins, is visible on her right thigh.

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27/01/2022

There is a great deal of ongoing discussion around the need for honest representation of disabled people within the many forms of media available to us, how people with lived experience need to be driving the way we are portrayed - in all our diversity and uniqueness.. I understand the power of representation and how when you don't see yourself reflected back at you it makes self acceptance and possibility thinking that much harder. Tiffiny Carlson is one woman who also struggled to find other women with disabilities to relate to and seek reassurance from. Tiffiny has since found her voice and is determined to share it for the benefit of others. You can to read her story here:
https://platformstories.com.au/2022/01/on-the-platform-with-tiffiny-carlson/
ID Tiffiny is seated in her wheelchair in front of a silver airplane. She is wearing a red t shirt with a long sleeve blue shirt tied at the waist over the top and jeans. She has long blonde hair falling down over her shoulder and is wearing sunglasses. Behind the plane is a green field. The sky is blue with white clouds on the horizon above a green tree line.

26/12/2021

Wishing everyone a wonderful festive season and a bright safe New Year ahead. Thanks for being part of the Platform and helping raise women up through shared stories.. here’s to sharing many more in 2022.
ID an image of Chris, a wheelchair user sitting at a table in a brightly coloured top of red and pattern wearing silly Christmas glasses and smiling broadly
♿️🙏🏼🎉

20/12/2021

12 marathons in 12 months! 🏆👟🏃🏼‍♀️
Yes you heard right! That is the amazing achievement of Platform Storytelling legend Kerryn Harvey. Kerryn is the founder of Start Foundation - whose mission is to empower amputees in life through sport. This remarkable effort was completed by Kerryn during a difficult year . We are so proud of a Kerryn and the personal effort she makes to fuel the work of her foundation.. changing lives everyday. Congratulations 🎉
ID Kerryn Harvey is squatting down she is dressed in running gear and holding one arm up with one finger raised. She is a single arm amputee.
Kerryn Harvey and others running into a stadium, Kerryn is dressed in running gear with a pink tutu over the top, they all have their arms raised in victory celebrations

05/12/2021

♿ 🎨 🖌 Platform Stories is a space that showcases women with disability, living incredibly rich and diverse lives. I love that we can share our disability experience without judgement, knowing that disability affects us in a multitude of ways, some are obvious, some are hidden, some people are born with them, and other disabilities come about as a result of illness, accident, or injury.
None of it matters, and I hope that by seeing ourselves and sharing our stories with others, it will connect us and reassure us by seeing ourselves doing both amazing and ordinary things while living our everyday lives.
Our latest Storyteller on the Platform is Trish Jackson, a thalidomide survivor, who as a result of the use of the drug Thalidomide, was born with significant limb differences. Trish has fought to overcome the odds in her tough start and build a life immersed in the things she loves most, her family, her art, and being a public speaker.
I hope you enjoy meeting Trish, who has, and continues to live a life that many people around her said she couldn’t.
It is a pleasure to share her story with you at the link below.
https://platformstories.com.au/2021/12/on-the-platform-with-trish-jackson/
♿ 🎨 🖌

24/11/2021

Platform storytellers are just an amazing collection of women. ♿️
It makes me so happy to see one of them a Finalist in the Arts category of the National Awards for Disability Leadership.
Congratulations Carol Taylor 🎉
We wish you the luck but know you are already winning in so many ways…
The recipients will be announced on 3rd December.
ID a graphic tile with the headings national awards for disability leadership award 2021
finalist - carol taylor and round circles in purple pink and teal in the right hand corner and disability leadership institute in smaller letters in the bottom left

19/11/2021

At Platform Stories we are dedicated to empowering women with disabilities from across the globe with authentic, positive and inspiring content they’ve been waiting for. ♿
Take a look at one of our Storytellers, Peta Hook.. her spread in the West Australian newspaper this week makes us all proud as she opens herself up to share and educate from her own unique (but quite relatable) perspective. Listen to her podcast "you can ask that"
ID photos of a newspaper article with the headline "you can ask that" and within it an image of Peta Hook, wearing a yellow skirt and a white t shirt, she has her chin resting on one hand and you can see her wheelchair. ♿📸🎤📣

14/11/2021

More fabulousness from a Platform stories storyteller- take a look at Meg West making a difference only she can while doing a job she loves .. so happy for you to be making a difference Meg❤️🙌♿️

Our good news story of the week is recent inpatient Kaelan who was born with a 'Lucky Fin' 🐠 as he calls it 😉. Something tells us he likes Finding Nemo!

Kaelan was admitted for a planned surgery unrelated to his 'Lucky Fin' and was delighted to meet his nurse Meg who also has a limb difference.

He was so happy to see his amazing Nurse Meg care for him with the ability to do anything without difficulty.

Kaelan was so inspired it has made him realise he too can do anything he wants in life too... and Kaelan we know you will.

He specifically requested the picture with his Nurse Meg to remember her and we just had to share it !

30/10/2021

“Life can be a bit tricky but with support, obstacles and challenges can be overcome and I want people to treat me as a Individual, to respect and accept me for who I am.” Naomi Lake.

Platform Stories gives me the opportunity to meet many women with disability from all walks of life, who are doing some amazing and varied things, often regardless of the challenges they face, and sometimes that includes the low expectation that others in community have for them.

Meet Naomi Lake, the latest storyteller on the Platform. She is an author of 4 books, who has a passion for acting and dancing, a love of all things ABBA and is warm hearted, full of energy, and shares her story to raise awareness about what it is like to live with Down Syndrome.

With support from those who know her and who see her for all her talent, she has been able to fulfill many of her ambitions and continues to spread her mantra ”you just need to keep on dancing, til you get where you want to be, and do it"
take a minute to read her story...
https://platformstories.com.au/2021/10/on-the-platform-with-naomi-lake/
ID an image of Naomi Lake holding her book Harmony the Forgetful Hen and the lost eggs. She is wearing a teal shirt and a pink headband, you can see a her hair in a plait over her shoulder. She is smiling and looks happy. There are green trees blurred in the background.

02/10/2021

Platform Stories is an opportunity to showcase and support other woman with disability, and creating each piece refreshes me. I feel more like part of a collective, part of a groundswell of change on how people living with disability are seen as all that we are… capable, dynamic, individual, human, amazing, vulnerable, and I am always reminded that we are all in this together. Sharing stories in this way reinforces that change is possible, and that we have a lot more momentum and influence when we do it together, each in our own way but connected through a common goal. ♿
When I put together Platform Stories, I often connect with other women with disabilities through a series of messages and emails, due to the locations and time zones that put distance between us.
I had the pleasure of connecting with the latest Storyteller on the Platform, Peta Hooke via a zoom call that followed initial messaging, and it was lovely to connect in this way.
Peta is a kindred spirit, funny, warm, and open. She made me smile and laugh, as we chatted about our lives, our goals and how she is working to open up discussion about living with a disability and clarify what it means to live, as she does, with Cerebral Palsy.
Peta, through her podcast “I Can’t Stand” has so much to say and uses her voice to answer questions that many people would love to ask about disability, its impact on life and love in general, and in doing so educates others about the realities of living with a disability.
My dream has always been that Platform Stories is a forum where women with disabilities can find women they can relate to, learn from and laugh with, but most of all feel a sense of solidarity with. I know I felt all of that when chatting with Peta, and I hope you do too. https://platformstories.com.au/2021/10/on-the-platform-with-peta-hooke/ ID an image of Peta Hooke wearing a black leather jacket, white t shirt and yellow skirt, sitting in her wheelchair, she has her chin resting on one hand, and has a smile on her face, she has dark hair in a long bob falling around her shoulders. on the right of her is a logo of "I Cant Stand podcast"

10/09/2021

Creating and sharing Platform Stories is my way of celebrating everyday women with disability who prove on a daily basis that you can be who ever and what ever you choose, and that we can raise each other up to do just that when we celebrate and nurture each other. ♿ 👂 ❤

Our individual experiences with disability are as varied as we are. It is always so wonderful to learn about each others experiences. I believe we are innately programmed to relate to each other as human beings and this is pivotal because when we relate, we begin to care and to understand more about each others unique experience and the commonality in our disability stories.

The latest Platform Story teller is Dr. Michelle Hu, who share her story with us, of facing the challenges of hearing loss and her journey to becoming an advocate, a pediatric audiologist, a classically trained chef, a mother to two beautiful children and a military wife.

She is using her experiences to support others with hearing loss to navigate the challenges they face, and does so with grace, humour and raw honesty of lived experience.

Id love you to take a moment to read Michelle story at the link below, and don't forget to subscribe to Platform Stories while you are there!
https://platformstories.com.au/2021/09/on-the-platform-with-dr-michelle-hu/?fbclid=IwAR2H-9utl3IJVwbzMitIo8sO0GNrwpHFPxThumSw-W4H8j3HRWP3UNtoWGw

01/08/2021

What I love about Platform Stories is the opportunity to showcase and support ordinary women living with disability who live extra ordinary lives. I feel honoured that so many amazing women have shared their stories with me, and am constantly reminded of the power of womanhood, of how women can accomplish amazing things when we support each other.
I have lived this disability life for a long time. My lived experience has seen a shift from not outwardly celebrating difference and diversity and not feeling worthy for the longest time, to pushing for and witnessing incremental change that has created more space for us all. When this happens, we all grow in our shared humanity.
It is for these reasons I am thrilled to share stories on the Platform.

I'm delighted to bring you an update on one of our previous Platform Storytellers.
PhouthAlee's story reinforces that when we believe in ourselves, and support each other, we can make so much difference in the world.
I hope you will take a moment to read it and support her and her work in any way you can.🙏 ♿🇱🇦
ID - a woman sits on the floor on a colourful rug with her head turned toward the camera. She is wearing a white shirt and a red sash. She has her hands together and has a beautiful smile on her face, with dark long hair falling over her shoulders.
in front of her is an alms bowl and in the background are monks in saffron robes.

Platform Stories are dedicated to empowering women with disabilities from across the globe with authentic, positive and inspiring content they’ve been waiting for.

29/07/2021

Morning world!! Platform Stories loves sharing stories of amazing women with disabilities who are living extraordinary ordinary lives .. there are some amazing stories coming up but if you, or someone you know would like to share their story please get in touch!
ID: a turquoise square surrounded by a dark purple border filled with light purple and turquoise circles. The writing in the square says Have a story to Share? Platform Stories would love to hear from you. Www.platformstories.com.au
[email protected]

04/07/2021

Melanie Hawkes has determination, creativity and a passion for all things Japanese. Don't tell her she can't do something.. as that will just make her prove you wrong!
Society more often portrays people with disabilities living their lives struggling every day, and as being inspirational for achieving everyday tasks. It is this ableism, and a lack of understanding that perpetuates these outdated stereotypes and myths. ♿ 🗻 🎨🎍

Melanie does not accept or fulfill the stereotype of disability expectation. I hope you enjoy her story at the link below.

ID Melanie is leaning forward in her wheelchair. she is wearing a t shirt and a peak visor and a ribbon lanyard around her neck. A yellow Labrador leans in to grasp her visor in its teeth. Melanie is smiling.

Melanie Hawkes has determination. Don't tell her she can’t do something .. she will prove you wrong!

20/06/2021

🎤🎧♿️📹 Part of my daily life outside working on Platform stories is taken up with working at ATLAS, a wonderful recreation inclusion program for people with disability and working at ABC Midwest and Wheatbelt. Both provide me with challenges and rewards that keep life interesting and provide me with a sense of satisfaction that the work I do makes a difference in my community and the world around me.
Its not often I share my paid work here on the Platform, but this article is one that I am proud of and one that is so deserving of a place on the Platform to showcase this young woman living her “ordinary” extraordinary life. 🖼 🎨 💃 🖌 📖
I hope you enjoy this video as much as I did in creating it with Naomi.

Subscribe ✅ and tap the notification bell 🔔 to be delivered Australian stories every day: http://ab.co/ABCAus-subscribeNaomi Lake has a message for the worl...

08/06/2021

♿️🏆👩‍🎓 Platform Stories alumni just keep embracing our mantra of Challenge. Change, Champion... another of our wonderful storytellers Ariana Corrubias graduated from University.. Ariana is the first in her Hispanic family to attend University. She champions greater representation and challenges stereotypes of what is possible while living with disabilities when you focus on your dreams 🙏🏼🎉. We are so very proud of you Ariana !

29/05/2021

🖌🖼♿️🎨 Sustaining disability at any age comes with associated feelings of grief and loss. A sense of not knowing how and where you fit into a world that you have to find a new way to navigate.
For many of us with disability this process can be overwhelming and isolating, and finding our tribe, others to whom we can relate and find solace and understanding from, is paramount to our ability to reconnect to our sense of self-worth, and be able to participate in our communities.
Jillian Oliver loved her job as a Police officer. During a 15-year career, she received the Police Medal for diligent and meritorious duty. One day while working in a remote area, an accident while on duty changed the course of her life.
Dealing with pain and ultimately a permanent physical disability, the psychological stress led to a diagnosis of depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. With determination and support, she reshaped her life and found a way for a new passion to give not only her, but others a renewed purpose and a place to connect.
Read her story at the link below and learn how “Art and Soul” gave Jillian and others a safe, welcoming place to share their talents, their journeys and a laugh together. 🖌🖼♿️🎨

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