Navigating Disability

What happens when you spend 27 years hiding a part of yourself the world told you to be ashamed of?

In this raw and powerful episode, Chris Ruden opens up about growing up with a limb difference, the emotional toll of internalised ableism, and the liberating journey toward radical self-acceptance. From years of hiding his hand, even from romantic partners, to a viral moment that sparked a wave of disability pride, Chris's story is a must-listen for anyone navigating visibility, vulnerability, and identity.

Chris Ruden is a motivational speaker, elite powerlifter, and disability advocate who was born with a limb difference and lives with type 1 diabetes. He uses his platform to challenge ableism, redefine strength, and empower others to live unapologetically. As a speaker and coach, he’s worked with thousands across the globe to reframe mindset, break shame cycles, and amplify disabled voices.

He shares how a moment with a young girl shifted his world, how he redefined "normal" to include disability, and why he no longer sees disability as something to "overcome."

Chris challenges societal perceptions, speaks on separating identity from habit, and delivers golden insights like "better done than said." This conversation is for everyone who's felt unseen and wants to reclaim their narrative.

Trigger Warning: This episode includes mentions of bullying, depression, and suicidal ideation. If you or someone you know needs help, please contact Lifeline at 13 11 14.

What happens when you live with a disability no one can see, and few believe?

In this deeply moving episode of Navigating Disability, Chanelle Morris shares her powerful journey from shame and silence to self-acceptance and advocacy. Born with only 30% vision and legally blind in one eye, Chanelle’s condition remains undiagnosed and invisible to the world around her. Growing up, she felt forced to hide her struggles, enduring judgment, disbelief, and isolation.

At her lowest point, housebound, overwhelmed by anxiety, and disconnected from herself, Chanelle made a radical decision: to fly solo to New Zealand. That trip became her turning point. Through asking for help, embracing vulnerability, and learning to love her differences, Chanelle stepped into her power.

Hosts Kate Read and Jenn Abbott explore the emotional toll of invisible disability and how shifting your mindset can transform your life. Chanelle’s story is a reminder that you don’t need a diagnosis to deserve compassion, accommodation, and joy.

🎧 Listen now and share this episode with anyone who needs to hear: you are not broken, and you are not alone.

⚠️ Trigger Warning: This episode discusses themes of anxiety, mental health struggles, and social isolation.
If you need support, contact Lifeline at 13 11 14.

What does it take to transform trauma into triumph? In this inspiring episode of Navigating Disability, we speak with Chris Davis, an elite para-archer, mental health professional, and proud husband. Paralysed at five due to a polio-type virus, Chris recounts his early years, 25-year career in Queensland Health, and his groundbreaking gold medal win at the 2023 World Archery Championships. From training with a single arm to confronting discrimination in the workplace and managing PTSD, Chris opens up with honesty and humour. 

More than an athlete, Chris is a social worker, mentor, and mental health advocate. Whether discussing systemic inaccessibility or shooting a 45-pound bow with his teeth, Chris shows us that resilience isn’t about pretending everything’s fine. It’s about doing the best with what you’ve got.

Join us as we explore how sport became his sanctuary, how support systems shape resilience, and why inclusion still has a long way to go.

Trigger Warning: This episode includes candid discussion of disability, mental health challenges, and societal exclusion. Lifeline: 13 11 14.

Laura Lewis is a woman of resilience, revolution, and relentless love. In this emotionally rich episode, Laura shares her journey of being a late-diagnosed autistic and ADHD adult, a mental health survivor, and an advocate who turned adversity into action. From experiencing a traumatic breakdown to rising as a fierce champion for her son Clay, a young autistic entrepreneur, Laura’s story reveals the transformative power of radical self-acceptance, community support, and purpose.

Hear how Laura helped her son start a successful bin-cleaning microbusiness, challenged school systems failing neurodivergent kids, and now campaigns for systemic reform. With wisdom, honesty, and humor, Laura invites us to reimagine success, redefine inclusion, and, most importantly, never wait for permission to build the life we deserve.

💬 Trigger Warning: This episode discusses mental health crises, trauma, and systemic failures. Please take care as you listen. For support, contact Lifeline at 13 11 14 (Australia).

🎧 Tune in now, share with someone who needs to hear this, and join the movement toward authentic, empowered disability narratives.

What happens when a life-changing injury collides with an unshakable dream? In this unforgettable episode, we sit down with Dr. Dinesh Palipana, the first quadriplegic medical intern in Queensland, as he shares his powerful story of loss, resilience, and redefining what’s possible.

Born during civil war in Sri Lanka, Dinesh immigrated to Australia at age 10. After completing a law degree and battling depression he found his calling in medicine, only to face another unimaginable challenge: a devastating spinal cord injury. Yet through sheer determination and a deep desire to serve others, Dinesh returned to medical school, becoming not just a doctor, but a national advocate for disability inclusion and equity in healthcare.

This conversation explores the emotional weight of trauma, the strength of a mother’s love, and the systemic barriers still facing people with disability today. Dinesh’s story is one of hope, grit, and unwavering purpose.

Trigger warning: This episode contains discussions of trauma, medical emergencies, and mental health. If you or someone you know is struggling, contact Lifeline at 13 11 14.

Listen in, share widely, and subscribe; because stories like this are the ones that change hearts and systems.

Connect with Dinesh:
www.palipana.com

What happens when your child’s autism diagnosis becomes the mirror that reveals your own? In this moving and empowering episode, we sit down with Mel Spencer OAM—fierce Autistic advocate, CEO of Different Journeys, and mum to three Autistic teens.

Mel shares her personal journey from initial resistance to diagnosis, through grief, PTSD, and burnout, to building an award-winning support organisation. Her lived experience—both as an Autistic woman and former Victoria Police officer—drives her bold vision for creating inclusive, strength-based systems for Autistic individuals and their families.

We explore the trauma of Australia’s education system, the healing power of diagnosis, and how self-compassion is a revolutionary act. Mel’s honesty, humour and hard-won wisdom are a lifeline for carers, educators and neurodivergent people alike.

🎧 Whether you’re navigating your own journey or supporting someone else—this episode offers connection, clarity, and hope.

📛 Trigger Warning: Discussion of PTSD, mental health, and systemic trauma.
 📞 Need support? Call Lifeline (Australia): 13 11 14

🔗 Connect with Mel:
 Different Journeys on Facebook
@differentjourneysautism
Mel Spencer on LinkedIn
Different Journeys on LinkedIn

What happens when the world tells you you're too different to belong—but you build a space anyway? In this powerful and vulnerable episode, we sit down with Storm Hassett: queer, neurodivergent, Indigenous leader and founder of The Identity Clinic. From navigating the complexities of foster care to founding a revolutionary mental health service for LGBTQIA+ people, Storm shares their story of grit, growth, and grace. We explore the intersections of queerness, mental health, and identity, and ask: what if disability is not about the person, but the environment?

Storm speaks candidly about coming out, the impact of OCD and ADHD, and why they don't identify as having a disability—yet passionately advocate for accessibility. This is a conversation about labels, self-acceptance, and rewriting the rules of what inclusion can look like.

Trigger warning: This episode includes discussions of trauma, mental health, and marginalisation. Support is available through Lifeline at 13 11 14.

🌈 Shift your perspective and celebrate every shade of identity.

What if the thing you thought would break you… actually made you unstoppable?

At just four years old, Peter Dempsey experienced a life-altering stroke that took away his ability to walk, speak, and connect. Doctors had no answers. His parents were told to prepare for the worst. But Peter chose a different path—one of relentless curiosity, quiet rage, and unshakable hope.

In this extraordinary episode of Navigating Disability, Kate and Jenn sit down with Peter to unpack what it means to live life on “hard mode”—and how he turned impossible odds into a blueprint for impact. From crawling to play sports to teaching professional speaking, Peter’s journey redefines resilience.

You’ll hear about:

• The misunderstood anger that shaped his teen years
  
  
  
• The tiny Fox Terrier that taught him how to love again
  
  
  
• How neuroplasticity opened doors doctors said were shut
  
  
  
• Why connection—not just recovery—is the real goal
  
  
  

Peter doesn’t just talk about disability. He lives the strategy, the grind, and the mindset that creates lasting change—for individuals, businesses, and communities. His story will shift how you view disability, strength, and your own potential.

🔔 Trigger Warning: This episode includes themes of trauma, mental health struggles, and suicidal ideation. If you or someone you know is in crisis, please contact Lifeline at 13 11 14.

🎙️ Share with someone who needs to hear it. And never forget—you are possible, too.

What happens when a life of systemic exclusion fuels a passion for transformative leadership? In this powerful episode, Kate and Jenn sit down with El Gibbs, newly appointed CEO of DANA and longtime disability rights advocate, writer, and policy strategist. El shares her journey from early medical trauma and poverty to discovering a place of belonging in the disability community—and ultimately becoming a national leader. With unflinching honesty, she speaks about the challenges of a late autism diagnosis, internalised ableism, and the failures of policy systems meant to support disabled lives. Yet, at the heart of her story is hope, community, and the unwavering belief that disability leadership must center those most marginalised.

From regulating the NDIS to calling out ableism within our own spaces, El offers sharp insight into what true justice looks like. This episode is a must-listen for anyone who’s ever felt “too much” or “not enough”—and a reminder that real change is possible, especially when led by those with lived experience.

Trigger warning: This episode contains discussion of poverty, trauma, medical neglect, and suicidal ideation. If you need support, please contact Lifeline at 13 11 14.

🎧 Tune in, share with a friend, and subscribe to join us in shifting the narrative.

To find out more about DANA, visit the website www.dana.org.au or check out their facebook https://www.facebook.com/disabilityadvocacynetworkaus 

To follow, comment, ask us a question or suggest a guest for a show go to https://www.facebook.com/navigatingdisability 

Today on Navigating Disability, we welcome the unstoppable Seamus Evans—comedian, speaker, and neurodiversity champion.  Diagnosed with Tourette’s Syndrome and ADHD as a child, Seamus shares his remarkable journey of overcoming bullying, embracing self-acceptance, and breaking societal stereotypes around disability. With humor, candor, and vulnerability, he unpacks what it means to live unapologetically and how mindset can transform challenges into superpowers. Whether you're part of the disability community, a parent, an educator, or simply seeking inspiration, this conversation will leave you empowered to own your differences and navigate your world with confidence.

🔔 Trigger Warning: This episode discusses experiences with bullying, social isolation, and emotional distress. If you need support, please reach out to Lifeline at 13 11 14 (Australia).

🎧 Listen now and share with someone who needs a reminder that their diagnosis does not define them!

To find out more or connect with Seamus, visit his website https://seamusevans.com/ 

To follow, comment, ask us a question or suggest a guest for a show go to https://www.facebook.com/navigatingdisability