SEE ME – Stories of Ability

Something to come out of the “SEE ME – Stories of Ability” podcast was the need to have conversations where we can discuss why certain language is inappropriate. These conversations are important for us to become a more inclusive society. One of our interviewees from the podcast, Avery McDougall, gives her thoughts and shares personal experiences of when people have said things which are not OK. Grab a cuppa and enjoy the conversation. Duration 25 minutes.

In 2020 Derrick Jonas put a social media post up on a bushwalking site for information about wheelchair friendly options to head off-road into Tassie’s great outdoors. That post opened a whole new set of adventures as well as an amazing friendship. This is Derrick’s story. For more information about the Launceston Urban Fringe Trail head to https://ascentfitness.com.au/luft-routes-page/ The link to the Wheelchair Users and People with disability Tasmania Facebook group link established by Derrick is https://www.facebook.com/groups/258075449457352/?multi_permalinks=434060165192212&notif_id=1655969092265233&notif_t=group_activity&ref=notif

Launceston is a long way from Bhutan where Gopi Maya Rai grew up, but her love of tech keeps her well connected to her friends all over the world. A talented singer, Gopi is vision impaired and arrived in Australia on a humanitarian migrant visa in 2016.    Gopi receives support from the Migrant Resource Centre Northern Tasmania where she has many friends, as well as the local greater Bhutanese community. Gopi is interviewed with Migrant Resource Centre Northern Tasmania CEO Ella Dixon and the Centre’s Beyond Limits Program Coordinator, Naomi Leighton. For more information about the Northern Tasmania Migrant Resource Centre head to their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/MigrantResourceCentre

It’s an understatement to say Launceston’s Jacquie Spencer is an active person. Jacquie has been a swimmer all her life and has represented Australia multiple times in swimming at the Special Olympics and is a much-loved member of the Launceston Masters Swimming Club.  Jacquie is a keen walker and she’s done some big walks in recent times – including the 48 kilometre Three Capes Track in Tasmania’s south-east. Jacquie has cerebral palsy and keeping fit and active are important in her daily life.  For more information about the Special Olympics in Australia https://www.specialolympics.com.au For more information about the Launceston Masters Swimming Club https://www.facebook.com/launcestonmastersswimmingclub For more information about the Three Capes Track https://www.threecapestrack.com.au For more information about Cradle Mountain https://parks.tas.gov.au/explore-our-parks/cradle-mountain

Launceston’s Michelle Murphy always knew as a child she was creative, but it wasn’t until she received a challenging health diagnosis at the age of 25, that she truly headed onto the path of becoming an artist. A crucial step in that journey was being introduced three years ago to the Interweave Arts Studio in Launceston.   It’s powerfully changed her life for the better. Content warning - this episode includes a reference to suicidal thoughts.    Interweave Arts Studio in Launceston https://www.facebook.com/Interweave-Arts-319627934071 Lifeline 13-11-14 Beyond Blue 1-300-224-636 SANE  1800 18 7263, saneforums.org

“Normal is a setting on a clothes dryer” Avery McDougall, author. Avery McDougall is her early 30’s, a youth worker living in Launceston who added author to her achievements in April 2022 when she released her book “Invisibly Grace”. Diagnosed with autism at 18 and later autoimmune disease when she was in her early 20’s, Avery says her story is more about being complex. For more information about Avery McDougall’s book Invisibly Grace head to https://shop.fortysouth.com.au/collections/new-releases/products/invisibly-grace-by-avery-mcdougall-pb https://www.facebook.com/averymcdougall.authoress https://www.tiktok.com/@averymcdougall.author https://www.instagram.com/averymcdougall.author

Imagine getting to look after some of the cutest Tasmanian animals every day as part of family life. That’s life for 11-year-old Bonnie, her siblings, and parents.  A couple of years ago, the family set up the Kanamaluka Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre on their property at Legana, a quick drive from Launceston in Northern Tasmania.   It’s a big commitment but one they care deeply about, and they do a wonderful job. Bonnie has autism.   Wombats, dogs, and horses are her favourite animals, and she also loves Korean pop music or K-Pop. Bonnie is interviewed with her Mum Jess, and she begins by introducing us to all their animals! For more information about the Kanamaluka Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre please head to their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/kanamalukawildlife