This week Simon and Abby speak to Melanie Hawkes - writer, advocate, and West Australian Director for Physical Disability Australia. Melanie is also a member of the Society of Women Writers WA and recent winner of the prestigious Jennifer Burbidge Short Story Award.

A strong advocate and bold communicator, Melanie shares her passion for self-exploration and creativity in a fun, engaging conversation.

You can read Melanie's award-winning story here.

Find out more about the Society of Women Writers WA and their upcoming events on their website.

This week Simon and Abby speak to Melanie Hawkes - writer, advocate, and West Australian Director for Physical Disability Australia. Melanie is also a member of the Society of Women Writers WA and recent winner of the prestigious Jennifer Burbidge Short Story Award.
A strong advocate and bold communicator, Melanie shares her passion for self-exploration and creativity in a fun, engaging conversation.
You can read <a href="https://www.pda.org.au/2025/07/10/first-prize-for-melanies-vulnerable-story/">Melanie's award-winning story here</a>.
Find out more about the Society of Women Writers WA and their upcoming events <a href="https://www.swwofwa.com.au/whats-on.html">on their website</a>.

In Plain Sight, hosted by Simon Chong and produced by Andrew Williams, is a program where we highlight the incredible stories of people who are making a positive impact in the community and disability sector. Giving a voice to dedicated disability advocates demonstrating advocacy in all its different forms, shining a light on those who might otherwise be hidden ‘in plain sight'.

Get in touch with the program team via: inplainsight@visionaustralia.org. Simon and Andrew would love to hear your feedback, thoughts and ideas.

In Plain Sight, hosted by Simon Chong and produced by Andrew Williams, is a program where we highlight the incredible stories of people who are making a positive impact in the community and disability sector. Giving a voice to dedicated disability advocates demonstrating advocacy in all its different forms, shining a light on those who might otherwise be hidden &lsquo;in plain sight'.
Get in touch with the program team via:&nbsp;<a href="mailto:inplainsight@visionaustralia.org">inplainsight@visionaustralia.org</a>. Simon and Andrew would love to hear your feedback, thoughts and ideas.

In Plain Sight

In Plain Sight by Vision Australia Radio

Melanie Hawkes on Self-Expression & Storytelling

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/fa7924ac-d4fd-4bff-b1b4-ac7f006dda87/clips/af9f4a18-945c-41a9-892f-b32b00e7a6ef/transcript

This week on In Plain Sight join your hosts Simon and Andrew as they talk with Gaela Hilditch, the volunteer coordinator for the Perth Glaucoma Support Group. In her twenties Gaela was hit in the eye during a game of squash, which years later she discovered had been a trigger behind her glaucoma diagnosis. Since this discovery she has been a strong advocate for increasing awareness of the disease and understanding how it affects people.

Gaela says the "support group brings people out of isolation. You meet people with all kinds of challenges, you have a good laugh and you form friendships, it's very therapeutic." If untreated, Glaucoma can lead to blindness but there are many forms of treatment which, if detected early enough, can stop the effects permanently. World Glaucoma Week exists as a reminder to get tested and monitor issues with sight.

Gaela reminds us that support is vital when learning to live and thrive with a disease like Glaucoma. Support groups can help alleviate anxieties and fears around sight loss and give advice for daily life. 

If you'd like to learn more you can visit the Glaucoma Australia website here. 

During Glaucoma week don't forget to use the hashtags #GlaucomaWeek and #SavingSight

You can click here to learn how you can help save sight.

If you're interested in joining the support group you can find Gaela's contact details here.

 

This week on In Plain Sight join your hosts Simon and Andrew as they talk with Gaela Hilditch, the volunteer coordinator for the Perth Glaucoma Support Group. In her twenties Gaela was hit in the eye during a game of squash, which years later she discovered had been a trigger behind her glaucoma diagnosis. Since this discovery she has been a strong advocate for increasing awareness of the disease and understanding how it affects people.
Gaela says the "support group brings people out of isolation. You meet people with all kinds of challenges, you have a good laugh and you form friendships, it's very therapeutic." If untreated, Glaucoma can lead to blindness but there are many forms of treatment which, if detected early enough, can stop the effects permanently. World Glaucoma Week exists as a reminder to get tested and monitor issues with sight.
Gaela reminds us that support is vital when learning to live and thrive with a disease like Glaucoma. Support groups can help alleviate anxieties and fears around sight loss and give advice for daily life.&nbsp;
If you'd like to learn more you can visit the Glaucoma Australia website <a href="https://glaucoma.org.au">here</a>.&nbsp;
During Glaucoma week don't forget to use the hashtags #GlaucomaWeek and #SavingSight
You can click <a href="https://glaucoma.org.au/how-you-can-help-save-sight/raise-awareness">here</a> to learn how you can help save sight.
If you're interested in joining the support group you can find Gaela's contact details <a href="https://glaucoma.org.au/node/877">here</a>.
&nbsp;

World Glaucoma Week: Uniting for a Gaucoma-Free World

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/fa7924ac-d4fd-4bff-b1b4-ac7f006dda87/clips/7ba16937-e8cb-4c4d-8b31-b408018ad62b/transcript

Grinding out  a career as “That Blind Guy”.

Karan Nagrani, known online as "That Blind Guy," is a Melbourne-based disability advocate, content creator, and 2025 Midsumma Festival Community Ambassador.
Karan shares his story of how he moved from denial to pride: appreciation and awareness for who he is, and his acknowledgement of the complexities of identity and belonging.

Karan is a proud & loud Gay Man, who also happens to be Legally Blind an have Usher Syndrome, he has less than 3% vision remaining and partial hearing loss.
He is a very active person on Social Media, under the title of “That Blind Guy”, and uses his platform to promote inclusion, social change, and accessible workplaces.

Advocacy & Content: Karan identifies as a gay man of color with a disability. He uses his Instagram (@that.blind.guy) and personal website to share humorous, raw, and educational content.
Which has also led to a theatre show called; - ``FROM GRINDR TO BLINDR``.
A bold comedy show that dives into dating, identity and disability through the eyes of a blind, gay person of colour, mixing razor-sharp humour with raw, honest storytelling about losing sight, finding self-acceptance, and seeing the world in a whole new way.

A fascinating and fun conversation with a dynamic person with many strings to his bow.
Karan’s story is interesting, informative and entertaining.

Grinding out &nbsp;a career as &ldquo;That Blind Guy&rdquo;.
Karan Nagrani, known online as "That Blind Guy," is a Melbourne-based disability advocate, content creator, and 2025 Midsumma Festival Community Ambassador. Karan shares his story of how he moved from denial to pride: appreciation and awareness for who he is, and his acknowledgement of the complexities of identity and belonging. Karan is a proud &amp; loud Gay Man, who also happens to be Legally Blind an have Usher Syndrome, he has less than 3% vision remaining and partial hearing loss. He is a very active person on Social Media, under the title of &ldquo;That Blind Guy&rdquo;, and uses his platform to promote inclusion, social change, and accessible workplaces. Advocacy &amp; Content: Karan identifies as a gay man of color with a disability. He uses his Instagram (@that.blind.guy) and personal website to share humorous, raw, and educational content. Which has also led to a theatre show called; - ``FROM GRINDR TO BLINDR``. A bold comedy show that dives into dating, identity and disability through the eyes of a blind, gay person of colour, mixing razor-sharp humour with raw, honest storytelling about losing sight, finding self-acceptance, and seeing the world in a whole new way. A fascinating and fun conversation with a dynamic person with many strings to his bow. Karan&rsquo;s story is interesting, informative and entertaining.

That Blind Guy: advocate and performer

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/fa7924ac-d4fd-4bff-b1b4-ac7f006dda87/clips/7d9d63b8-9106-4716-9963-b4020002f1c0/transcript

Due to complications with Type 1 Diabetes Colleen was in need of a heart transplant, and now as a transplant recipient she is fully energised and bright zest for life.
She has also taken on board all the knowledge she has acquired through the numerous significant events she has experienced to sharing her story of resilience in the hope it will help, inspire and encourage people to appreciate what they have and what they can achieve.

Colleen’s motto, “Where there is a will, there is a way” and “Life rewards action”, seems to work wel for her as she has done and achieved a lot in her busy life.
With two published books: Memoir: ‘I Can See Clearly Now – the soundtrack of my life’, and,  “Ya gotta laugh” an anecdotal book on life since losing sight, Colleen has found she has a real knack for telling a great story: & I’m glad she shared some of it with us here.

Join us to here Colleen share her enthusiasm for life and living it to the full and as she says;
 “Been active throughout my entire life never letting diabetes get in the way and so now I was not going to let having a heart transplant and losing sight do that to me either.”.

Colleen is also a passionate sportsperson, initially with swimming, and now with Tandem Cycling.
She is currently the Chairperson of WATCAC (Western Australia Tandem Cycling Advisory Council).

Quiz night to raise money for WATCAC, for tandem cycling for vision impaired:
Saturday, Apr 18 from 6 pm to 9:30 pm
At: - Telethon Speech & Hearing CentreWembley, WA
Link to info here:   
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/watcac-quiz-night-tickets-1982666820833?aff=oddtdtcreator

Due to complications with Type 1 Diabetes Colleen was in need of a heart transplant, and now as a transplant recipient she is fully energised and bright zest for life. She has also taken on board all the knowledge she has acquired through the numerous significant events she has experienced to sharing her story of resilience in the hope it will help, inspire and encourage people to appreciate what they have and what they can achieve. Colleen&rsquo;s motto, &ldquo;Where there is a will, there is a way&rdquo; and &ldquo;Life rewards action&rdquo;, seems to work wel for her as she has done and achieved a lot in her busy life. With two published books: Memoir: &lsquo;I Can See Clearly Now &ndash; the soundtrack of my life&rsquo;, and,&nbsp; &ldquo;Ya gotta laugh&rdquo; an anecdotal book on life since losing sight, Colleen has found she has a real knack for telling a great story: &amp; I&rsquo;m glad she shared some of it with us here. Join us to here Colleen share her enthusiasm for life and living it to the full and as she says; &nbsp;&ldquo;Been active throughout my entire life never letting diabetes get in the way and so now I was not going to let having a heart transplant and losing sight do that to me either.&rdquo;. Colleen is also a passionate sportsperson, initially with swimming, and now with Tandem Cycling. She is currently the Chairperson of WATCAC (Western Australia Tandem Cycling Advisory Council). Quiz night to raise money for WATCAC, for tandem cycling for vision impaired: Saturday, Apr 18 from 6 pm to 9:30 pm At: - Telethon Speech &amp; Hearing CentreWembley, WA Link to info here:&nbsp; &nbsp; <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/watcac-quiz-night-tickets-1982666820833?aff=oddtdtcreator" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="0">https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/watcac-quiz-night-tickets-1982666820833?aff=oddtdtcreator</a>

A new heart, a new perspective

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/fa7924ac-d4fd-4bff-b1b4-ac7f006dda87/clips/76932f1e-b501-47a6-9115-b3fb00353c2e/transcript

Melanie Hawkes on Self-Expression & Storytelling

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