In this episode of the ListenABLE podcast, hosts Angus and Dylan sit down with Sara Shams — a pharmacist, model, and disability advocate — to share her inspiring journey as a bilateral above-knee amputee living with the rare genetic condition tibial hemimelia.

Sara opens up about her early life and multiple surgeries, how advances in prosthetics technology have shaped her independence, and the confidence she’s built through advocacy and representation in media. The conversation dives into cultural perspectives on disability, the impact of the Shift 20 initiative on increasing authentic representation, and how brands can move beyond tokenism to embrace true inclusion.

From breaking into the modelling industry to launching consultancy work for accessible runways, Sara shares the importance of personal choice in mobility aids, resilience in the face of stigma, and the power of visibility in changing perceptions.

What You’ll Learn:

• How prosthetic advancements are transforming independence and mobility.

• Why authentic representation matters for the disability community.

• The business and social impact of the Shift 20 initiative.

• How to address tokenism through education and cultural change.

• The role of confidence, resilience, and personal choice in disability advocacy.

 

Get in contact with Sara: https://sarashams.au/ 

Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarashams

Watch the Full Episode with Captions Here: https://youtu.be/ux5keqFJjTM 

Recorded, edited and produced by Angus' Podcast Company: www.sessioninprogress.com.au

 

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guests
03:00 Sara Shams: A Journey Through Disability
05:53 Understanding Tibial Hemimelia and Its Impact
08:56 Surgical Journey and Early Life Experiences
12:04 Evolution of Prosthetics and Technology
15:01 Building Confidence and Embracing Disability
17:54 Cultural Perspectives on Disability
18:25 The Journey into Modeling
21:37 Advocacy through Shift 20 Initiative
22:42 Navigating Tokenism and Authentic Representation
26:51 Launching her Consultancy
30:16 The Balance of Representation and Tokenism

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