Breaking Barriers: Disability, Theatre & Representation with Gracie McGonigal

In this episode, Nicole sits down with actor Gracie McGonigal to dive into the world of theatre, disability, and what it really takes to make the industry more inclusive. From their childhood love of Wicked to the challenges of auditioning for roles that weren’t designed with disability in mind, they unpack the highs, the hurdles, and why real representation on and off stage matters.

Gracie shares her journey navigating drama school auditions, the privilege of being a “passing” disabled person in the industry, and the moments that made her feel truly seen. Nicole reflects on her own experiences, the impact of visibility for younger generations, and the ways theatre is slowly (but not fast enough!) evolving.

Key topics:✨ The power of representation in iconic roles✨ How audition opportunities differ for disabled actors✨ Why disabled creatives need to be in decision-making roles✨ The role of social media in amplifying change (and negativity)✨ Fighting for inclusivity in drama schools and beyond

Theatre is changing, but there’s still work to do. If you care about representation, love the arts, or just want a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to push for progress, this is one you won’t want to miss.

In this conversation, Shelbee Clarke shares her journey as a pioneer in women's amputee football, discussing her role in the England Amputee Team and the team's fundraising efforts for the World Cup.

She reflects on her personal battle with cancer, the impact of football on her life, and the importance of representation in sports for young girls with disabilities.

Shelbee emphasises the growth of women's amputee football and the joy of coaching young players, highlighting the significance of creating a supportive community. Shelbee also shares her experiences and insights on adaptive football, the challenges and triumphs of living with a disability, and the importance of creating inclusive spaces for children.

She discusses the rules of adaptive football, the training required to build confidence on crutches, and her journey from player to coach. Shelbee stresses the significance of community and support in sports, encouraging others to embrace their journeys and find their place in the world of football.

In this conversation, Nicole and Emily explore themes of vulnerability, addiction recovery, emotional healing, and the importance of community support for individuals with limb differences.

They discuss the power of journaling as a tool for self-discovery and emotional processing, as well as the challenges of navigating heartbreak and triggers.

Emily shares her journey of overcoming addiction and the tools she uses to cope with emotional pain, including writing and cold water swimming.

The conversation also touches on the significance of community involvement, particularly with the charity REACH, and the impact of shared experiences on mental health. Emily promotes her upcoming writing course aimed at helping others heal through expressive writing which can be found at https://throughwriting.co.uk/home

Kayla Inman shares her journey of overcoming complex regional pain syndrome and making the decision to amputate her leg. She discusses the emotional experience of waking up without pain after the surgery and the challenges she faced in learning to walk again. Kayla also talks about her role as a disability advocate and the importance of creating a more accessible and inclusive world.

She shares her experiences with running, playing sand volleyball, and starting a support group for individuals with limb differences. Kayla emphasizes the need for patience, education, and understanding in promoting inclusivity.

Megan Blunk, a gold medallist in wheelchair basketball, shares her experiences and insights on mental health, competition, and finding balance. She emphasizes the importance of staying focused, finding balance, and enjoying life while training. Megan discusses her struggles with mental health and the impact it had on her experience at the Paralympics. She also talks about the changes in representation and resources for athletes with disabilities, and the positive impact it has had on the team. Megan shares her journey of self-discovery and finding peace outside of sports. She highlights the challenges of navigating support systems and accessibility, and the turning point that led her to pursue wheelchair basketball and achieve success. In this conversation, Megan Blunk and Nicole discuss the journey of self-discovery and acceptance as individuals with disabilities. They talk about the challenges they face in society, including ableism and the pressure to be seen as inspirational. Megan shares her experience of being in a wheelchair and how representation and improved accessibility have made a positive impact. They also discuss the importance of understanding and managing mental health, including the effects of PMS. Megan emphasizes the need to slow down, take breaks, and be kind to oneself. They touch on the topic of accessible design and express the desire to have a future conversation dedicated to it.

Today Nicole and Shannon are joined by Disability Advocate, Designer and Author Victoria Jenkins to break down the topic of ableism. During their discussion they cover how to identify, address and overcome ableism in daily life whilst showing that once you know better you can do better. 

check out Victoria's adaptive clothing brand unhidden over at @unhidden_clothing

you can find Victoria over at @victoria_is_unhidden

and for her 'Little book of ableism' visit www.unhiddenclothing.com

This is the IAMPOSSIBLE Podcast bringing together experts, scientists, Paralympians, adaptive sports professionals, authors and disability advocates to talk all things Limb difference, disability and inclusion.

Nicole is joined by Husband Aaron as they talk about what her limb difference has brought to their relationship over the last 16 years! Aaron has seen the transformation from young teen hiding behind long sleeves in the height of summer to the founder of IAP and been there every step of the way. They talk about the ups and downs and unpack their experiences around interacting with the general public, learning to drive and Ableism. 

Today Nicole is joined by Ambassador and Koalaa Limb Buddy Sarah Fisher to talk about the incredible challenge she is taking on in 2023! 

They talk about everything from Training, Prosthetics and growing up with a limb difference. 

Follow Sarah over at @singlehandlyntw to join her and Woody on their adventures! 

Today, Nicole is joined by Koalaa founder Nate Macabuag to talk about his journey from attempting to create a prosthetic as a university project to being nominated for Forbes 30 under 30 for his work in creating a whole new approach to prosthetics. 

Check out @koalaacommunity for more on his teams work