Chats From A Chair

In this episode, I speak with Declan Kluver as he shares details of the events that led to him making an attempt on his life. Experiencing a manic episode, Declan portrayed erratic behaviour that ultimately lead to a decision that still impacts him physically and emotionally to this day. This raw and honest recount of events is sure to leave you speechless.

In this episode, I speak with Sharni as she bravely shares her experiences of an abusive relationship. We explore the early warning signs that the behaviour wasn’t acceptable, the extent it reached, the moment she was held against her will and I ask the question, why didn’t you leave?

In this episode, I speak with Dr of psychology and fellow quadriplegic, Nicole Sugden. Nicole shares her vivid memory of the moment that she became paralysed, the challenges and rewards from her years of study to become a doctor of psychology, the travel adventures that she's been on, as well as I pick her brain with questions about psychology and human behaviour.

In this episode, I speak with Karly Campbell about her challenging and somewhat traumatic childhood and how she was able to overcome that to now own and run an NDIS community nursing company. We discuss her family dynamic, including the complex health conditions of family members and how the experiences associated with those conditions shaped her from a young age, the subtle but very important pus...

In this episode, I chat with Taylor Peet about the day that a freak motorbike accident left her paralysed. We discuss the events leading up to her injury, including the subtle sign that things weren't quite right, how she has been able to regain her identity since paralysis, we discuss the emotions that she experienced getting back on a motorbike again and she shares the simple act that has c...

In this episode, I speak with Darcy Cogdale about his battle with substance abuse, his time spent in jail and the family tragedy that made him turn his life around and make his family proud. Darcy is incredibly open and honest about his past, as we discuss the way that he helps people get sober today.

In this episode, I speak with Fletch Crowley about the day that he attempted a double backflip that resulted in paralysis. We chat about why he was so determined to land the difficult trick, his attitude towards his disability since the start, we explore some of the extreme and relatively dangerous activities he still gets up to these days and how the support from his friends has allowed him to co...

In this episode I speak with my dad, Peter Dempsey about the day that he was buried alive. We discuss the events leading up to the moment a trench caved in on him, what was going through his head while he was trapped and struggling to breathe, the very lucky hat that led to him being rescued, as well as exploring the way it still impacts him over 30 years later.

I speak with Sam Rose, as she opens up about her and her older sister both being diagnosed with a rare, inherited neurological disorder known as Friedreich's Ataxia. We discuss the events that led to the surprising diagnosis, how she feels watching her sister progressively get worse, the way that she expresses her sexuality online, her use of sex workers and how she makes the most of every da...

In this episode, I speak with Theresa Rongonui about the day that her daughter, Anamia, became a quadriplegic. We discuss the events that led to the innocent yet devastating accident, the reaction of family members that witnessed it happen, the significant role that their Māori culture and spiritual beliefs have played in their journey thus far, as well as the way that they are now trying to use t...

I chat with Dan Boardman, who has been a support worker for a ventilated quadriplegic since he was 21 years old. We chat about the rewards and challenges associated with working so closely with someone in their own home, some of the close calls they have had with the ventilator disconnecting, the emotional support they provide for each other and the importance of having interests outside of the wo...

I chat with Matt Greer, who was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, commonly referred to as MS, 20 years ago. We discuss the early signs that led to his diagnosis, the emotional toll when noticing changes from a degenerative disease, the impact on his family life and how he has adopted his positive attitude and making the most out of life.

In this episode, I speak with former NRL player, now ventilated quadriplegic, Nathan Stapleton. We chat about his life as a professional athlete, how he sustained an injury that resulted in him now relying on a ventilator to breathe, how he has adapted to fatherhood as a quadriplegic and how he has been able to return to work on his farm but in a different capacity.

A unique 2 in 1 episode where psychosexual therapist, Candice Care-Unger interviews me about my experiences with sex, dating and relationships as a quadriplegic and then I chat to her about her work as a clinical psychosexual therapist, working with people with disabilities. Nothing is off limits in this chat.

In this episode I chat with Michelle Massey, owner of a disability travel company called Amplify: Accessible Travel Specialists. We discuss the different range of disabilities that she has worked with to help travel, things you need to plan for when travelling with a disability, some of the more significant problems that they have had to overcome, memorable experiences they have helped create and...

In this episode, I speak with Hayley Grantham who sustained a stroke just 12 months ago, 13 years after her husband also had a stroke. Hayley shares the details of the day leading up to her stroke, the difference between watching and helping someone you love go through recovery compared to going through it yourself, the way it has changed the dynamic of their relationship and how her daughter is a...

In this episode, I chat with Professor James St John who is head of the Clem Jones Centre for neurobiology and stem cell research. His team have developed a world leading stem cell treatment that is hoped to cure or treat spinal cord injuries and in collaboration with others, will be conducting a world first human trial using these cells. I chat with James about what the trial involves, how these...

In this episode I speak with Jim and Genny, the Directors of a world leading Neuro rehab centre on the Gold Coast called Making Strides. Jim and Genny explain their excitement about being involved in a world first human trial to find a cure for spinal cord injuries, discuss the events that led to them starting the centre despite coming from different sides of the world, share both the tough and re...

In this episode I chat with Ryan Wiggins who became a quadriplegic after diving into a friend's pool. We discuss the day leading up to his injury, why he was placed in an induced coma and his family told to say their goodbyes, how he overcame his darkest days in hospital and is now tackling fatherhood as a quadriplegic.

In this episode, I speak with Matt Curran who sustained significant injuries from a motorbike crash in 2020. Matt sustained burns to 20% of his body, acquired a brain injury and had a leg amputated following the incident. We chat about the difficulties he has faced since his crash, the complexities around the different injuries as well as some of the exciting activities he's able to do today...

In this episode I speak with Avalon, who is a sex worker specialising in servicing people with high care needs and physical disabilities. She tells us how and why she got into the sex work industry, shares some of her experiences of servicing people with physical disabilities and gives her advice for able bodied people and people with disabilities looking to engage in sexual activity.

In this episode, I speak with army veteran Matina Jewell, who shares her experiences from an active war zone. We discuss her rapid rise up through the army ranks, her active service where she completed intense training such as the incredibly demanding Navy divers course, fast roped from helicopters on-board smuggler ships in the Arabian gulf and served as a UN peacekeeper in an active war zone as...

In this episode I speak with fellow quadriplegic, Tony Pinto who sustained a spinal cord injury whilst on holidays. He shares the details of his injury which he remembers very vividly, the struggles he has with his new identity, he opens up about his decision to engage with a sex worker to explore his new body and his decision to move to Australia to pursue a cure.

In this episode I speak with NRL superstar, Xavier Coates as we discuss how he almost gave up playing rugby league, his unique pathway into the NRL, his decision to move from the Brisbane Broncos down to the Melbourne Storm, backlash he received after deciding to represent Australia rather than Papua New Guinea, as well as other challenges he's experience throughout his career.

In this episode I speak with Brooke Colless and her son Kai, who is a wheelchair user following a very rare spinal condition. We discuss the nomadic lifestyle the family were living, the concerning progression of Kai's condition, the day he tried to stand up and was paralysed, as well as the way that he is now dominating the adaptive surfing world.