Episodes

  • Samantha Schmidt: An inspiring journey in Parasport

    Samantha Schmidt: An inspiring journey in Parasport
    Oct 30 2024
    In this episode of Speak My Language (Disability), Kerri-Lee Harding yarns with Samantha Schmidt, a para-athlete and proud Wakka Wakka and Gubbi Gubbi woman from Queensland. Samantha, who holds the Australian national record in women's F38 discus, shot put, and javelin, recently returned from representing Australia at the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games. Her journey in athletics, alongside her experience living with cerebral palsy, reveals the transformative power of sport and community.
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    12 mins
  • Paul Constable Calcott: A Wiradjuri Artist Championing Inclusion

    Paul Constable Calcott: A Wiradjuri Artist Championing Inclusion
    Oct 23 2024
    Paul Constable Calcott, or Uncle Paul, a proud Wiradjuri man and artist, reflects on his life's journey from a childhood impacted by polio to becoming a UN delegate advocating for Indigenous artists with disabilities. Through his involvement in the NuunaRon Art Group, Uncle Paul continues to create safe spaces for storytelling and cultural expression, helping others to find their voices through art.
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    19 mins
  • Kerri Shying: Connecting culture through poetry

    Kerri Shying: Connecting culture through poetry
    Oct 16 2024
    In this compelling conversation with Lowanna Grant, Kerri Shying, a Wiradjuri poet with a mixed heritage including Chinese Australian ancestry, shares how poetry serves as a tool for emotional expression and cultural connection. Despite living with a degenerative disease, Kerri explains how poetry helped her regain her voice and connect with both her Indigenous roots and broader communities.
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    16 mins
  • Dr Richard Fejo: Advocating for an Indigenous perspective in healthcare

    Dr Richard Fejo: Advocating for an Indigenous perspective in healthcare
    Oct 9 2024
    Dr Richard Fejo, who is more affectionately known as Uncle Richie, is a Larrakia man who has dedicated his life to cross-cultural education and improvement of outcomes for Indigenous people. Living with limb difference Richie draws on his experience to educate and advocate for the improved health outcomes of Indigenous Australians, particularly through his role as the Elder on Campus for Flinders University.
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    18 mins
  • Bianca Templar: Art, Culture and Advocacy

    Bianca Templar: Art, Culture and Advocacy
    Oct 2 2024
    Bianca Templar is an artist deeply rooted in her culture and an advocate for First Nations rights. Her creative journey is woven with tradition, community, and activism. In this episode Bianca yarns to Lowanna Grant as she shares the profound influence of the elders and mentors who have passed down traditional cultural art practices, shaping both her artistic expression and her identity.
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    19 mins
  • Cass Best creating inclusivity for LGBTQI mob living with disability

    Cass Best creating inclusivity for LGBTQI mob living with disability
    Sep 25 2024
    Cass Best is a proud Gay Kamilaroi Mari who is non- binary and living with disability. They actively advocate for and engage with Mob and the LGBTQI+ community. Much of Cass’ advocacy focuses on intersectionality, working to create inclusive spaces for mob who are queer and live with disabilities. Being an advocate has not only improved Cass’ wellbeing, but has also improved inclusion and accessibility for others. In this episode Cass chats with Kerri-Lee Harding.
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    15 mins
  • Exploring the art of blind fishing with James Griffiths

    Exploring the art of blind fishing with James Griffiths
    Sep 18 2024
    In this episode of Speak My Language: Disability we share the story of James Griffiths, a proud Wangaaypuwan man. After becoming blind in 2005, James has become a passionate First Nations advocate for disability inclusion. James is also an avid fisher and yarns to us about the art of blind fishing.
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    17 mins