A Wheelie Good Chat

Two stories. Two completely different situations. One underlying assumption. Through voice recordings from two of my beautiful friends, Anya and Asha,  revisit moments we’ve experienced together that reveal how disability is often viewed through assumptions rather than reality. From people speaking to someone else instead of me, to assuming friendship is an act of charity, we unpack what these mom...

Some conversations are polite. This one is useful. I’m joined by Josef Bandera, a Perth-based author and disability advocate, to talk about what inclusion and disability rights actually look like in real life. Josef shares why he’s proud of his disability, how stigma still boxes people in, and why having a voice isn’t a bonus, it’s a basic right. We get into the reality of support work, what makes...

I reflect on a tragic event that occurred in Western Australia earlier this year, and the way stories like this are reported. This isn’t about speculation or assigning blame. Instead, it’s a conversation about language, media framing, and why autonomy and dignity still matter in the way we speak about people, even after they’re gone. I also share my own initial reaction to the reporting, and what...

The new year can sparkle and still hurt. In this episode, I talk about loneliness during festive disruption, moving to person-led support, and unlearning internalised ableism shaped by growing up with a disability in a world that expects you to be “low maintenance.” I share my intentions for 2026 and why taking up space, asking for help, and not apologising for existing matters. If you’ve ever fel...

This final episode of the year is a reflective conversation about consent and why it matters in everyday life. I talk about how physical touch, especially hugging, is often automatic and well intentioned, but not always comfortable for everyone. From my own perspective, I share why consent is about more than just intention. It’s about pausing, checking in and allowing people the space to choose. T...

What if the problem isn’t you, but the job description you’re trying to squeeze into? In this episode, I open up about what happens when we stop forcing ourselves to fit rigid roles and start shaping work around our strengths instead. Job carving has completely changed the way I see my own career, and I think it could change yours too. I share the honest side of navigating work with a disability,...

Ever cheered loudly for someone else’s milestone and then wondered why your own path feels slow? In this catch-up, I open up about taking a pause after three emotional episodes with my mum, celebrating my brother’s wedding, and navigating the mix of joy and comparison that followed. I talk about feeling stuck, naming pressure, and rebuilding momentum without forcing a sprint. I also dive into the...

In the final part of this three-part series, Mum and I reflect on our 24-year journey navigating disability, independence, and the future ahead. What began with a health scare that pushed us to accept outside help has grown into a new balance of care, freedom, and resilience. We open up about how smart home technology changed my independence, the reality of facing employment discrimination, and th...

Moving from a small country town to a massive Perth high school was life-changing for me, but not in a good way. I went from being “Sam” to “just the chick in the wheelchair,” and the isolation hit hard. I had no friends, no independence, and my mental health spiralled. In this second conversation with Mum, we revisit those volatile teenage years, the suicidal thoughts, and the heartbreak of Deep...

What happens when a mother’s role changes overnight? In this heartfelt episode, I’m joined by my mum, Di, as we reflect on my sudden onset of dystonia at age eight and how it reshaped our family. Mum shares those first terrifying days, watching her active farm kid struggle to walk, endless hospital visits, and tests that offered no answers. We talk about my early optimism clashing with teenage rea...

In this vulnerable episode, I open up about the emotional and practical challenges of ageing with a disability. From fears of physical decline and lack of medical answers, to the deep anxiety of one day losing my mum, who has been my primary caregiver since I was eight, this episode explores what it means to age when your independence is so closely tied to someone else’s care. I talk about the gui...

In this episode, I sit down with my friend Sophie to chat about our very different experiences on dating apps, me as a woman with a disability, and her as an able-bodied woman. From hiding my wheelchair in profile pics to getting invasive questions like “Can you feel it?” in the first few messages, I share what it’s really like trying to date in a world that often overlooks women with a disability...

Have you ever wondered what you’d tell your younger self if you could? In this deeply personal episode, I read a letter to my younger self; the girl still fighting against her disability, feeling out of place, and unsure where she belonged. I reflect on the shift from denial to acceptance, and how making peace with my disability became the unexpected key to contentment. I talk about what’s still h...

Ever deleted a post because it didn’t get enough likes? Or found yourself doomscrolling at 1am? Yeah, same. In this solo episode, I dive into how social media messes with our heads: from the trap of online validation to the anxiety spiral of endless scrolling. I share what’s helped me set better boundaries and reflect on the pressures of being a content creator in an always-on world. This isn’t ju...

What happens when you’re invisible in your own conversations? In this raw and honest chat, I sit down with my friend Asha to unpack the frustrating experience of being ignored or spoken over simply because I have a visible disability. We explore the emotional toll of having others answer for me, when friends should step in, and how “compliments” like “It’s amazing you’re out today” can actually re...

In this solo episode, I open up about living with Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD), a condition that goes far beyond mood swings. I share how it affects my mental health, daily life and relationships, and why it’s so important we break the silence around menstrual health. I also talk about how I manage PMDD day to day, from self-care to listening to my body, and offer practical tips for anyo...

Growing up with dystonia, I rarely saw authentic disability representation in the media. In this episode, Joel and I reflect on the shift toward more inclusive portrayals and celebrate changemakers like Dylan Alcott, who have helped reshape how society views disability. We highlight the progress being made in music, film and television, while also tackling the uncomfortable rise of people faking o...

What if you found out you had an extra rib and a third kidney? In this lighthearted wrap-up episode, Joel and I reflect on a year of growth, strange medical surprises, and personal wins, including landing a job I genuinely enjoy. We celebrate 16 episodes of real conversations, share our new obsession with red wine, and laugh about future living dreams that blend independence with a bit of chaos. T...

Through honest stories and reflections, Joel and I open up about disability, healthcare and the importance of being heard. We explore how my health needs differ from those of able-bodied people and challenge assumptions around what living with mobility limitations actually looks like. We also talk about why clear and respectful communication in medical settings is so important, especially when you...

In this episode, Joel and I dive into how technology is transforming life with a disability. From smart homes and voice assistants like Alexa to adaptive tools that make everyday tasks easier, we share how tech is helping build more independence and accessibility. We also explore how technology supports social connection, and have a laugh over dating apps, group chats and the chaos of online life....

Would you rather fight 20 duck-sized horses or one horse-sized duck? In this light-hearted episode, Joel and I take a break from the heavy stuff and answer some classic icebreaker questions that reveal our quirks, guilty pleasures and childhood dreams. From celebrity crushes and chocolate bullets to black coffee and past hairstyles, we share laughs, memories and the little things that have shaped...

Curious about how the NDIS really works? In this episode, Joel and I break down the core, capital and capacity-building categories, and share how the scheme supports daily living, assistive tech and therapies that promote independence. We reflect on life before the NDIS, the progress made, and the realities of navigating the system today. This includes managing budgets, hiring support staff and ma...

In this bonus episode, Joel and I revisit my recent job interview experience, which I spoke about in my previous episode, focusing on something I didn’t fully unpack at the time: the hostility I felt during the process. Despite doing everything I could to show up professionally, the environment felt more combative than collaborative. It shook my confidence and made it harder to express my strength...

Imagine going into a job interview only to be ignored and talked down to because of your disability. That’s exactly what I experienced, and in this episode, Joel and I unpack the frustration, isolation and deeper impact of that moment. We talk about the subtle and not-so-subtle ways people with disabilities are dismissed in professional settings, and how those interactions affect more than just jo...

A change of pace in this episode. Joel and I open up about mental health, looking at it through the lens of government support systems. We talk about how mental health and disability supports often feel separate, when they should be far more interchangeable. I also share how the NDIS has shaped parts of my life and wellbeing. Enjoy this honest conversation and a little more insight into my world....