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What would you do if your car broke down on the side of the road and there were no available options for transport assistance to get you somewhere safe? To get you home?

 This year, Sarah-Jane (SJ) Staszak was stranded on the side of the M4 in New South Wales for four hours after her car broke down, because there wasn't an alternative option for her to be transported safely in her wheelchair when the tow truck arrived.

It just so happened that she knew someone who had a trailer to transport her power wheelchair – but what if she didn’t?

Also on the episode is Tony Jones, SCIA's Disability Inclusion and Insights Advisor, who worked with SJ on this case. 

Both share their insights on what it's like to live with a disability and heavily rely on accessible taxis for their primary form of transportation, as well as discussing the problem with accessible public transport when living in a regional, rural and even remote area in Australia.

Information in this episode

Advocacy & Your Rights https://scia.org.au/living-with-a-disability/advocacy-your-rights/

Navigating Life with a Disability https://scia.org.au/living-with-a-disability/navigating-life-with-a-disability/

Anti-Discrimination NSW https://antidiscrimination.nsw.gov.au/

Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) https://humanrights.gov.au/

Justice and Equity Centre https://jec.org.au/

Parliament of Australia - Contacting Senators and Members https://www.aph.gov.au/Senators_and_Members/Contacting_Senators_and_Members

Find Your Local Representative - Find My Electorate https://electorate.aec.gov.au/

Credits
This episode has been written, produced and edited by Susan Wood. Logo art by Cobie Ann Moore.

If you would like to email us with a podcast topic request email [email protected] with the subject heading 'Podcast Topic Request'

Spinal Cord Injuries Australia is a for-purpose organisation that supports people with a spinal cord injury and other neurological conditions. For more information about our supports and services, visit our Resource Hub at https://scia.org.au/resource-hub/.

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In this episode meet Luke Spencer and Kat Yee. At age 12, Luke was diagnosed with Fredrich’s Ataxia, and in May 2024, after a series of complications at the age of 25, he had a pacemaker put in that both Kat and Luke lovingly refer to C-3PO.

This is the story of how Luke wanted to snorkelling in Fiji after his pacemaker was put in at the age of 25, and how Kat supported Luke as an Exercise Physiologist at NeuroMoves Lismore, and then as his support worker and most importantly, his friend when they finally got to snorkelling in Fiji at the end of 2025.

We believe that stories lived experience is the best way for people to learn about disability and help take action. 

Information in this episode

NeuroMoves specialised exercise service https://neuromoves.org.au/

Friedreich Ataxia (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke) https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/friedreich-ataxia

Supanova Comic Con & Gaming https://www.supanova.com.au/

C-3PO (Star Wars) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C-3PO

Credits
This episode has been written, produced and edited by Susan Wood. Logo art by Cobie Ann Moore.

If you would like to email us with a podcast topic request email [email protected] with the subject heading 'Podcast Topic Request'

Spinal Cord Injuries Australia is a for-purpose organisation that supports people with a spinal cord injury and other neurological conditions. For more information about our supports and services, visit our Resource Hub at https://scia.org.au/resource-hub/.

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In this episode, meet 20-year-old Nioka Bush who lives with Cerebral Palsy and is on the autistic spectrum. 

Nioka shares her experience growing up with her disability, going through the schooling system, the women who have helped shaped her and her advice for the next generation of women growing up with disabilities. 

This episode has been made in celebration of International Womens Day, which celebrates the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women around the globe. 

We believe that stories lived experience is the best way for people to learn about disability and help take action. 

Information in this episode

Breakthru School Leaver Employment Supports https://breakthru.org.au/services/school-leaver-employment-supports/

Nioka Bush Instagram https://www.instagram.com/niokabush/

International Women's Day - https://www.internationalwomensday.com/

Credits
This episode has been written, produced and edited by Susan Wood. Logo art by Cobie Ann Moore.

If you would like to email us with a podcast topic request email [email protected] with the subject heading 'Podcast Topic Request'

Spinal Cord Injuries Australia is a for-purpose organisation that supports people with a spinal cord injury and other neurological conditions. For more information about our supports and services, visit our Resource Hub at https://scia.org.au/resource-hub/.

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Meet Melbourne-based podcaster and disability advocate Peta Hooke. She is the host of 'The I Can’t Stand Podcast', and in 2025, she released a short podcast series called 'Eggs', where she chronicles her real-life experience navigating IVF and fertility with a Cerebral Palsy. 

On Have the Nerve, Susan and Peta talk a bit more about that podcast and the reception, medical equity and they discuss how our lifelong disabilities have shaped what gratitude means to them. 

Information in this episode

The I Can't Stand Podcast https://www.icantstandpodcast.com/

Eggs - The I Can't Stand Podcast https://omny.fm/shows/the-i-cant-stand-podcast/playlists

As a Disabled Woman, My Abortion Wasn't Questioned, but My Pregnancy Was - Article by Nicole Lee (April 27, 2020 Women with Disabilities Australia) https://oursite.wwda.org.au/stories/as-a-disabled-woman-my-abortion-wasnt-questioned-but-my-pregnancy-was

I Just Needed a Mammogram - Article by Asha Prasad (January 16, 2026 Spinal Cord Injuries Australia) https://scia.org.au/resource-hub/i-just-needed-a-mammogram/

Woman who uses wheelchair turned away from mammogram appointment - Article by Nas Campanella (July 9, 2025, Australian Broadcasting Corporation)  https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-07-09/woman-wheelchair-turned-away-from-mammogram/105464036

Credits
This episode has been written, produced and edited by Susan Wood. Logo art by Cobie Ann Moore.

If you would like to email us with a podcast topic request email [email protected] with the subject heading 'Podcast Topic Request'

Spinal Cord Injuries Australia is a for-purpose organisation that supports people with a spinal cord injury and other neurological conditions. For more information about our supports and services, visit our Resource Hub at https://scia.org.au/resource-hub/.

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In the final episode for Have the Nerve for 2025, meet Susan's mother, Alma. 

Alma came from Kabankalan, Negros Occidental in the Philippines to Australia in 1981. She shares her perspective of raising Susan, observations as she got older, advice for parents of children who have disabilities, and the switch from being the caretaker to being cared for by Susan at the age of 85.

This podcast would not be possible without funding from the Department of Social Services (DSS) as part of our Resource Hub. 

SCIA's Resource Hub is a collection podcasts, videos and articles by people with disability for people with disability, their family, academics - anyone interested in learning more from the people who live it!

Credits
This episode has been written, produced and edited by Susan Wood. Logo art by Cobie Ann Moore.

Spinal Cord Injuries Australia is a for-purpose organisation that supports people with a spinal cord injury and other neurological conditions. For more information about our supports and services, visit our Resource Hub at https://scia.org.au/resource-hub/.

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Today is International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD)! 

On this episode, Forrest, Declan and Maz from our EmployAbility team come on the podcast to discuss equity, the importance of lived-experience led training and social progress. 

This year's theme for IDPwD is 'Fostering disability inclusive societies for advancing social progress'. At SCIA, all of our services strive to empower people with disabilities, the people who support them and educate the next generations of people to help foster a society that excels for everyone.

Information in this episode

Let our EmployAbility team help you build a more inclusive workplace or help you find meaningful, inclusive employment. Visit https://employability.org.au/.

Episode 39: Something To Think About - People with Disabilities Need To Pay Bills Too, You Know https://scia.org.au/resource-hub/people-with-disabilities-need-to-pay-bills-too/

"We're not just ready to work, we're ready to take your jobs, alright?" Dylan Alcott Australian of the Year 2022 speech in full - https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-01-26/dylan-alcott-australian-of-the-year-speech-in-full/100783308

Credits
This episode has been written, produced and edited by Susan Wood. Logo art by Cobie Ann Moore.

Spinal Cord Injuries Australia is a for-purpose organisation that supports people with a spinal cord injury and other neurological conditions. For more information about our supports and services, visit our Resource Hub at https://scia.org.au/resource-hub/.

Send us Fan Mail

On this episode Dan Holt, Ash Treseder and Rob Wynn come on the podcast to share their experiences of fatherhood at their respective stages. 

Whether that's a father to be, a new father or a with grown children, they share their learnings, some of the fears and how the importance of being open and honest about their disabilities to everyone is essential. 

Information in this episode

Put a face to the people you heard in  this episode and visit SCIA's Peer and Family Support Team: https://scia.org.au/living-with-a-disability/navigating-life-with-a-disability/

Credits
This episode has been written, produced and edited by Susan Wood. Logo art by Cobie Ann Moore.

Spinal Cord Injuries Australia is a for-purpose organisation that supports people with a spinal cord injury and other neurological conditions. For more information about our supports and services, visit our Resource Hub at https://scia.org.au/resource-hub/.

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From what accessible means and even down to how thick carpet is, on this episode Susan Wood, Liberty Smith and Hayley Dean come on Have The Nerve to have a chat about what we're learnt since working at Spinal Cord Injuries Australia and how nothing compares to working alongside people with disabilities, or others who have a similar disability to open up your eyes to the disabled experience, or learn life lessons - whether you have a disability or not. 

Credits
This episode has been written, produced and edited by Susan Wood. Logo art by Cobie Ann Moore.

Spinal Cord Injuries Australia is a for-purpose organisation that supports people with a spinal cord injury and other neurological conditions. For more information about our supports and services, visit our Resource Hub at https://scia.org.au/resource-hub/.

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Have the Nerve is back on for 2025!

This is Have The Nerve Shorts - the short episodes between the long ones where we talk about things From The Internet, you can Get To Know Your Body and there might be even Something To Think About.

On this episode Laura Burling, Heidz Haydon and Susan Wood talk about about TikToker Claire Sisk (@canseecantsee), a woman who has a visual impairment. She shares her experiences as a person with disability embarking on her very first cruise.

You can watch @canseecantsee's TikTok vide here: Sailing as a blind traveller - My Blind Cruise Adventure https://www.tiktok.com/@canseecantsee/video/7358161500034370849?_r=1&_t=ZM-8treYN1bwz1

Credits
This episode has been written, produced and edited by Susan Wood. Logo art by Cobie Ann Moore.

Spinal Cord Injuries Australia is a for-purpose organisation that supports people with a spinal cord injury and other neurological conditions. For more information about our supports and services, visit our Resource Hub at https://scia.org.au/resource-hub/.

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You're listening to episode FIFTY and the final episode of Have The Nerve for 2024.

On this episode we’re going to talk about equity. Are the opportunities for people, specifically students with disabilities, fairer in 2024 than they were in, let's say, 2000?

16 year old high school student Lara Grimson comes on the podcast to share her story about trying to find work experience as a person with disability and how it bears an eerie resemblance to Susan's experience 24 years ago.

Information in this episode

Episode 23: Be Curious, Not Judgemental - Disability and Primary School https://scia.org.au/resource-hub/be-curious-not-judgemental-disability-and-primary-schools-ep23/

Episode 25: The Underdogs - Disability and High School https://scia.org.au/resource-hub/the-underdogs-disability-and-high-school-ep25/

The Bucket List: What Do I Wish For In Five Years Time? by Lara Grimson - https://scia.org.au/resource-hub/the-bucket-list-what-do-i-wish-for-in-five-years-time/

Credits
This episode has been written, produced and edited by Susan Wood. Logo art by Cobie Ann Moore.

Spinal Cord Injuries Australia is a for-purpose organisation that supports people with a spinal cord injury and other neurological conditions. For more information about our supports and services, visit our Resource Hub at https://scia.org.au/resource-hub/.