You, Me & Muscular Dystrophy

In this, the final episode of You, Me & Muscular Dystrophy, I am interviewed by my son, Jake, about my decision to enact Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD) on 2 July 2026.   This has been a difficult decision made over many months. In this episode, I talk about when and why I began considering VAD as an option, my thoughts on death, autonomy and dignity in end-of-life choices and more.    Thank yo...

You, Me & Rare Disease ep. 2 of 2 acknowledging International Rare Disease Day 28th February   On You, Me & Rare Disease  episode 2 of 2  we feature insights from Carly Findlay, OAM,  Clare Reilly and Leanne Watson. Their personal experiences with rare diseases of LGMD, MS, Ichthyosis, and Cancer. They emphasise the importance of awareness, community support, and the need for dedicated Rar...

Welcome to You, Me & Rare Disease  episode   1 of 2  – as a special breakout theme to You Me & Muscular Dystrophy to acknowledge rare diseases day 28th of February. We begin this fabulous series with with a discussion with from Nicole Millis, CEO of Rare Voices Australia. Kathleen Benham, Kelly Berger, Avery Roberts and Leah Alstin share personal insights on living with the rare conditions...

Avery Roberts and Kelly Berger discuss with passion, humour and thoughtful insight about how they drive, dance and thrive through life with Congenital Muscular Dystrophy. We talk about adaptive driving, making dance history, mentoring, podcasting and more. Kelly and Avery have an admirable strength and energy that you can't help but be inspired by. SHOW NOTES, LINKS & RESOURCEShttp://ladie...

In this thoughtful and insightful podcast episode, we dive into the world of resilience and personal growth with the talented Chris Anselmo. Known for his articulate and vulnerable writing and public speaking on overcoming challenges, Chris shares his journey and the lessons he has learned along the way. This conversation is a must-listen for anyone looking to find strength in adversity regardless...

Tugba is warm and bright person who shares how she broke out of her self-imposed bubble to live life fully and autonomously while living with congenital muscular dystrophy from birth.  She is now setting and achieving many of her goals, including travel, and discusses what travelling means to those of us who use a wheelchair as an extension of ourselves. This conversation is well worth listening t...

In this conversation, Leanne Watson speaks with Joshua Ruff, a young man in charge of his life, creatively designing and showcasing his beautiful Henle Gardens while living with Duchenne muscular dystrophy .  Joshua generously shares his journey from diagnosis at age five, his life changing cardiac arrest and the joy and pleasure he derives from his immersion in nature. Joshua has a deep gratitude...

Creative and eloquent Tayla Richardson has Congenital Myasthenic Syndrome. A rare neuro muscular disorder that presents quite similarly to many muscular dystrophies and therefore is worth sharing on You, Me & Muscular Dystrophy. Having hundreds of periods of paralysis from her teenage years Tayla shares her unique experiences coping with a new diagnosis, working with the waves of grief, settin...

Diagnosed at age 35 vibrant Paul Bugeja shares his personal journey with Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy (FSHD).  In this conversation with humour and enthusiasm Paul reflects on the signs of FSHD that were present in his childhood, the importance of exercise, and how he views his condition as an opportunity for growth rather than an obstacle.  Paul emphasises the significance of embracing...

In this conversation, Leanne speaks with the delightful Shae Mankey about her experiences living with Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy (FSHD). They discuss Shae’s career transition to Accessible Accommodation, the impact of childhood disability on her dreams and future aspirations. Shae speaks about the decision not to have children and her love for her husband, family and dog, ending with g...

In this conversation, Leanne and her husband Gary Watson discuss the profound impact of Leanne's neurological muscle wasting disease (LGMD) on their marriage and lives. They explore themes of resilience, adaptation, and the importance of communication in navigating health challenges. Gary shares insights on the unpredictability of life, the lessons learned from their journey, and the hope he f...

In this episode of 'You, Me and Muscular Dystrophy', host Leanne Watson speaks with Kate Johnson, a mother navigating the challenges of raising a child with Limb Girdle Muscular Dystrophy (LGMD). They discuss the journey of diagnosis, the emotional and practical challenges of parenting a child with a degenerative condition, and the importance of community support. Kate shares insights on f...

In this conversation, Cerys Davage ( YouTube@unbalanced with Cerys Davage) shares her personal journey with Limb Girdle Muscular Dystrophy (LGMD), and what LGMD means to her beyond the physical. How her love of teaching, music and performance has shaped and enhanced the community and supports she has around her. Cerys exudes warmth, humility and wisdom in this enlightening chat with Leanne. Show N...

 I very much enjoy Kalvin Hopper ‘s articulate and unassuming discussion of life for a sporty man in his mid 20s with facioscapulohumeral dystrophy (FSHD).  He speaks candidly about acceptance, community support, and finding joy in activities like tennis and creative outlets.  Kalvin also reflects on pivotal moments in his life, including his advocacy work through YouTube, and offers advice for th...

In this conversation, Leanne Watson speaks with Linda Williams, a mother and primary caregiver to her son Harrison, who has Duchenne muscular dystrophy. They discuss the challenges and realities of living with DMD, including the impact on family life, the importance of advocacy, and the need for better accessibility and support systems. Linda shares her journey of navigating the healthcare system,...

How does a music loving, car enthusiast become a published author and an active disability advocate ? Brad Miller shares his aspirations, inspirations and wonderful advocacy work and what it means to live with Becker muscular dystrophy from a young age. We covered many topics such as the importance of creative outlets and community, bullying, anxiety, car racing, music and much more in this 10 que...

In You, Me and Muscular Dystrophy I will ask the same 10 questions to various people that have some form of muscular dystrophy or are caregivers of someone with muscular dystrophy or otherwise move in the muscular dystrophy world. Together we can provide a sense of community and support for people in all the stages of the dystrophy journey and for others to understand how they can support us. Also...

Welcome to  You, Me and Muscular Dystrophy —a series where we ask 10 questions to people impacted by the many forms of muscular dystrophy, uncovering how our diagnoses and journeys can be both different and yet deeply connected. In this very first episode, I hand the mic to my daughter Amy, who turns the tables and interviews me. She kicks things off by asking:  “Who are you, and what’s your conne...