Send a text

In this episode, meet 20-year-old Nioka Bush who lives with Cerebral Palsy and is on the autistic spectrum. 

Nioka shares her experience growing up with her disability, going through the schooling system, the women who have helped shaped her and her advice for the next generation of women growing up with disabilities. 

This episode has been made in celebration of International Womens Day, which celebrates the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women around the globe. 

We believe that stories lived experience is the best way for people to learn about disability and help take action. 

Information in this episode

Breakthru School Leaver Employment Supports https://breakthru.org.au/services/school-leaver-employment-supports/

Nioka Bush Instagram https://www.instagram.com/niokabush/

International Women's Day - https://www.internationalwomensday.com/

Credits
This episode has been written, produced and edited by Susan Wood. Logo art by Cobie Ann Moore.

If you would like to email us with a podcast topic request email community@scia.org.au with the subject heading 'Podcast Topic Request'

Spinal Cord Injuries Australia is a for-purpose organisation that supports people with a spinal cord injury and other neurological conditions. For more information about our supports and services, visit our Resource Hub at https://scia.org.au/resource-hub/.

Send a text

Meet Melbourne-based podcaster and disability advocate Peta Hooke. She is the host of 'The I Can’t Stand Podcast', and in 2025, she released a short podcast series called 'Eggs', where she chronicles her real-life experience navigating IVF and fertility with a Cerebral Palsy. 

On Have the Nerve, Susan and Peta talk a bit more about that podcast and the reception, medical equity and they discuss how our lifelong disabilities have shaped what gratitude means to them. 

Information in this episode

The I Can't Stand Podcast https://www.icantstandpodcast.com/

Eggs - The I Can't Stand Podcast https://omny.fm/shows/the-i-cant-stand-podcast/playlists

As a Disabled Woman, My Abortion Wasn't Questioned, but My Pregnancy Was - Article by Nicole Lee (April 27, 2020 Women with Disabilities Australia) https://oursite.wwda.org.au/stories/as-a-disabled-woman-my-abortion-wasnt-questioned-but-my-pregnancy-was

I Just Needed a Mammogram - Article by Asha Prasad (January 16, 2026 Spinal Cord Injuries Australia) https://scia.org.au/resource-hub/i-just-needed-a-mammogram/

Woman who uses wheelchair turned away from mammogram appointment - Article by Nas Campanella (July 9, 2025, Australian Broadcasting Corporation)  https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-07-09/woman-wheelchair-turned-away-from-mammogram/105464036

Credits
This episode has been written, produced and edited by Susan Wood. Logo art by Cobie Ann Moore.

If you would like to email us with a podcast topic request email community@scia.org.au with the subject heading 'Podcast Topic Request'

Spinal Cord Injuries Australia is a for-purpose organisation that supports people with a spinal cord injury and other neurological conditions. For more information about our supports and services, visit our Resource Hub at https://scia.org.au/resource-hub/.

Send a text

Have The Nerve Not-So-Short this episode!

You will hear the stories of three people who explain what sport means to them, because when it comes to disability and sport society may focus on physical strength or the medals, but it's so much more than that.

On this episode you hear from:

Tamsin Colley is an international athlete in para-athletics and cerebral palsy football studying Exercise Physiology at University of New South Wales (UNSW)

Gerry Hewson is a six-time Paralympian in wheelchair basketball. He currently coaches wheelchair basketball in New South Wales

Daria Alforova is a Para (Wheelchair) Dance Sport Coach from Ukraine who coached Ukrainian national team to multiple world championships, and currently runs Para Dance Sport Sydney.

Information in this episode:

Tamsin Colley (Wikipedia) - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamsin_Colley

Tamsin Colley (Instagram) - https://www.instagram.com/tamsincolley/

ParaMatildas - https://www.paramatildas.com.au/

Wheelchair Sports NSW/ACT - https://www.wsnsw.org.au/

Gerry Hewson (Wikipedia) - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerry_Hewson

Gerry Hewson (Instagram) - https://www.instagram.com/gerry_hewson_/

Paralympics Australia: Wheelchair Basketball - https://www.paralympic.org.au/sports/wheelchair-basketball/

Paralympics Australia: Para Dance Sport - https://www.paralympic.org.au/tag/para-dancesport

Para Dance Sport Sydney (Dance Around School of Dance) - https://dancearound.au/para-wheelchair-dance-sport/?i=1

Disability Sport Australia - Para DanceSport https://www.sports.org.au/para-dancesport

Para Dance Sport Sydney (Facebook) - https://www.facebook.com/ParaDanceSydney/

Credits
This episode has been written, produced and edited by Susan Wood. Logo art by Cobie Ann Moore.

Spinal Cord Injuries Australia is a for-purpose organisation that supports people with a spinal cord injury and other neurological conditions. For more information about our supports and services, visit our Resource Hub at https://scia.org.au/resource-hub/.

Send a text

This is Have The Nerve Shorts - the short episodes between the long ones where we talk about things From The Internet, you can Get To Know Your Body and there might be even Something To Think About.

In this episode Exercise Physiologist Alicia Payne answers the question "Why should I exercise in the water?". If you've ever considered getting into a pool, but don't know where to start Alicia will talk you through it!

NeuroMoves is a specialised exercise service for people with neurological conditions and physical disabilities. Our team of Exercise Physiologists and Physiotherapists want to increase your independence, health and wellbeing and help you work towards your goals, no matter how big or small.

If you want more information visit https://scia.org.au/neuromoves-exercise/.

Information in this episode

Benefits of Hydrotherapy: The Power of Water - https://scia.org.au/resource-hub/benefits-of-hydrotherapy-the-power-of-water/

Why is standing so important for people who can't move their legs? - https://scia.org.au/resource-hub/why-is-standing-so-important-for-people-who-cant-move-their-legs/

Credits
This episode has been written, produced and edited by Susan Wood. Logo art by Cobie Ann Moore.

Spinal Cord Injuries Australia is a for-purpose organisation that supports people with a spinal cord injury and other neurological conditions. For more information about our supports and services, visit our Resource Hub at https://scia.org.au/resource-hub/.

Send a text

This is Have The Nerve Shorts - the short episodes between the long ones where we talk about things From The Internet, you can Get To Know Your Body and there might be even Something To Think About.

In this episode Laura Burling, Heidi Haydon and Susan Wood discuss @uksecrettravel_'s TikTok where they recall an anonymous post made by someone on the Ultimate World Cruise forum sharing their experience waiting for lift with someone in a wheelchair and as the doors were opening they witnessed four people rushing in front of the person in a wheelchair, turning around and then laughing at the person with a disability.

You can watch @uksecrettravel_'s TikTok video here: Ultimate world cruise tea time https://www.tiktok.com/@uksecrettravel_/video/7316479399925271841

Credits
This episode has been written, produced and edited by Susan Wood. Logo art by Cobie Ann Moore.

Spinal Cord Injuries Australia is a for-purpose organisation that supports people with a spinal cord injury and other neurological conditions. For more information about our supports and services, visit our Resource Hub at https://scia.org.au/resource-hub/.

Send a text

Getting research off the ground is probably more complex than you'd expect.

Doctor Claire Boswell-Ruys is a physiotherapist and senior research fellow at Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA) and has worked in the area of spinal cord injuries for the past 20 years.

We talk about all things research, we discuss what it takes to set up a research trial, how it's funded, why it can't be everywhere and why medical research in Australia for people with spinal cord injuries may be different from overseas research.

Information in this episode:

Doctor Claire Boswell-Ruys - https://neura.edu.au/researchers/dr-claire-boswell-ruys

NeuRA - Spinal Cord Injury Research Centre - https://neura.edu.au/research/research-expertise/spinal-cord-injury

Professor Simon Gandevia - https://neura.edu.au/researchers/prof-simon-gandevia

Professor Jane Butler - https://neura.edu.au/researchers/prof-jane-butler

Get A Grip Spinal Stimulation for Upper Limb and Respiratory Function in Quadriplegia/Tetraplegia - https://neura.edu.au/project/get-a-grip

eWalk Trial - https://neura.edu.au/project/ewalk-trial

Therapeutic acute intermittent hypoxia and hypercapnia - https://neura.edu.au/project/therapeutic-acute-intermittent-hypoxia-and-hypercapnia

Credits
This episode has been written, produced and edited by Susan Wood. Logo art by Cobie Ann Moore.

Spinal Cord Injuries Australia is a for-purpose organisation that supports people with a spinal cord injury and other neurological conditions. For more information about our supports and services, visit our Resource Hub at https://scia.org.au/resource-hub/.

Send a text

This is Have The Nerve Shorts - The short episodes between the longer ones. However, today isn't short at all #SorryNotSorry.

Duncan Wallace, Executive Director of SpinalCure Australia is on to chat about why you should consider investing in medical research for spinal cord injury and why you should consider the next generation of medical researchers.

Having a spinal cord injury himself just over 40 years ago, Duncan discusses his observations of how society perceives disability, securing funding and the roll out of a world first medical research trial happening in Australia.

Information in this episode:

The Spinal Cord Iceberg - https://www.spinalcure.org.au/research/spinal-cord-injury-facts/

SpinalCure Australia - https://www.spinalcure.org.au/

Forward Ability Support - https://fas.org.au/

Professor Reggie Edgerton - https://www.michaeljfox.org/researcher/v-reggie-edgerton-phd

Professor Perry Bartlett, Queensland Brain Institute - https://qbi.uq.edu.au/profile/769/perry-bartlett

Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA) - https://neura.edu.au/

Get A Grip (Operating with NeuRA and NeuroMoves) - https://neura.edu.au/project/get-a-grip

eWalk Trials - https://neura.edu.au/project/ewalk-trial

Neilson Foundation - https://www.neilson.org.au/

WALK ON - The Remarkable Life of David Prast by Peter Murray - https://www.amazon.com.au/WALK-Remarkable-Life-David-Prast/dp/0645383422

Credits
This episode has been written, produced and edited by Susan Wood. Logo art by Cobie Ann Moore.

Spinal Cord Injuries Australia is a for-purpose organisation that supports people with a spinal cord injury and other neurological conditions. For more information about our supports and services, visit our Resource Hub at https://scia.org.au/resource-hub/.

Send a text

This is Have The Nerve Shorts - the short episodes between the long ones where we talk about things From The Internet, you can Get To Know Your Body and there might be even Something To Think About.

In this episode Physiotherapist Colbey Van Leeuwen talks about falls prevention for upper limbs and lower limbs. How much do you know about the vestibular system? How can multitasking help? Let Colbey explain!

NeuroMoves is a specialised exercise service for people with neurological conditions and physical disabilities. Our team of Exercise Physiologists and Physiotherapists want to increase your independence, health and wellbeing and help you work towards your goals, no matter how big or small.

If you want more information visit https://scia.org.au/neuromoves-exercise/.

Credits
This episode has been written, produced and edited by Susan Wood. Logo art by Cobie Ann Moore.

Spinal Cord Injuries Australia is a for-purpose organisation that supports people with a spinal cord injury and other neurological conditions. For more information about our supports and services, visit our Resource Hub at https://scia.org.au/resource-hub/.

Send a text

This is Have The Nerve Shorts - the short episodes between the long ones where we talk about things From The Internet, you can Get To Know Your Body and there might be even Something To Think About.

In this episode Laura Burling, Heidi Haydon and Susan Wood discuss Senator Jordon Steele-John's TikTok video when he shared the story of someone attempting to heal his disability away at an event

Has someone try and heal your disability away? How did you respond?

You can watch Senator Jordon Steele-John's video here:
I did not in fact - rise from my place of “brokenness" -  https://www.tiktok.com/@jordonsteelejohn/video/7327872406423358738?_r=1&_t=8klWCevEZpC

Credits
This episode has been written, produced and edited by Susan Wood. Logo art by Cobie Ann Moore.

Spinal Cord Injuries Australia is a for-purpose organisation that supports people with a spinal cord injury and other neurological conditions. For more information about our supports and services, visit our Resource Hub at https://scia.org.au/resource-hub/.

Send a text

In this episode, Associate Professor Shane Clifton from the University of Sydney comes on the podcast to talk about the many lives he led before his accident, his career as a theology lecturer and his accident that led to a spinal cord injury 14 years ago.

Susan and Shane talk candidly about their journeys with faith and their disabilities and how the impact of knowing the diversity in people has shaped their outlook on what God means to each of them.

Information in this episode

Associate Professor Shane Clifton - University of Sydney:  https://www.sydney.edu.au/medicine-health/about/our-people/academic-staff/shane.clifton.html

ShaneClifton.com: https://shaneclifton.com/

The Disabled God: Toward a Liberatory Theology of Disability - Nancy L Eiesland: https://www.amazon.com.au/Disabled-God-Liberatory-Theology-Disability/dp/0687108012

Credits
This episode has been written, produced and edited by Susan Wood. Logo art by Cobie Ann Moore.

Spinal Cord Injuries Australia is a for-purpose organisation that supports people with a spinal cord injury and other neurological conditions. For more information about our supports and services, visit our Resource Hub at https://scia.org.au/resource-hub/.

Send a text

This is Have The Nerve Shorts - the short episodes between the long ones where we talk about things From The Internet, you can Get To Know Your Body and there might be even Something To Think About.

In this episode of Have The Nerve, Forrest Campbell is back to talk about his experiences finding work after he sustained his spinal cord injury in 2015 and why the role of being inclusive shouldn't be down to the applicant with the disability, it should be the employers themselves.

Information in this episode:

EmployAbility: https://employability.org.au/

EmployAbility's Building Employer Confidence Program: https://employability.org.au/employers/building-employer-confidence-program/

Credits
This episode has been written, produced and edited by Susan Wood. Logo art by Cobie Ann Moore.

Spinal Cord Injuries Australia is a for-purpose organisation that supports people with a spinal cord injury and other neurological conditions. For more information about our supports and services, visit our Resource Hub at https://scia.org.au/resource-hub/.

Send a text

This is Have The Nerve Shorts - the short episodes between the long ones where we talk about things From The Internet, you can Get To Know Your Body and there might be even Something To Think About.

In this episode, Exercise Physiologist Alicia Payne comes on to talk about why strength training is for everyone of any ability!

NeuroMoves is a specialised exercise service for people with neurological conditions and physical disabilities. Our team of Exercise Physiologists and Physiotherapists want to increase your independence, health and wellbeing and help you work towards your goals, no matter how big or small.

If you want more information visit https://scia.org.au/neuromoves-exercise/.

Credits
This episode has been written, produced and edited by Susan Wood. Logo art by Cobie Ann Moore.

Spinal Cord Injuries Australia is a for-purpose organisation that supports people with a spinal cord injury and other neurological conditions. For more information about our supports and services, visit our Resource Hub at https://scia.org.au/resource-hub/.

Send a text

In the final episode for Have the Nerve for 2025, meet Susan's mother, Alma. 

Alma came from Kabankalan, Negros Occidental in the Philippines to Australia in 1981. She shares her perspective of raising Susan, observations as she got older, advice for parents of children who have disabilities, and the switch from being the caretaker to being cared for by Susan at the age of 85.

This podcast would not be possible without funding from the Department of Social Services (DSS) as part of our Resource Hub. 

SCIA's Resource Hub is a collection podcasts, videos and articles by people with disability for people with disability, their family, academics - anyone interested in learning more from the people who live it!

Credits
This episode has been written, produced and edited by Susan Wood. Logo art by Cobie Ann Moore.

Spinal Cord Injuries Australia is a for-purpose organisation that supports people with a spinal cord injury and other neurological conditions. For more information about our supports and services, visit our Resource Hub at https://scia.org.au/resource-hub/.

Send a text

This is Have The Nerve Shorts - the short episodes between the long ones where we talk about things From The Internet, you can Get To Know Your Body and there might be even Something To Think About.

Hey there fellow doomscrollers! In this episode you are listening to Laura Burling, Jade Williams and Susan Wood answer the question: AITA for using a disabled stall?

In what initially seems like a case a lot of us may know, of someone using the accessible stall who probably shouldn't be, we find out a bit more about OP and why they had to.

What do you think?

You can read the whole Reddit thread here: https://www.reddit.com/r/AmItheAsshole/comments/r5uuw5/aita_for_using_a_disabled_stall/

Credits
This episode has been written, produced and edited by Susan Wood. Logo art by Cobie Ann Moore.

Spinal Cord Injuries Australia is a for-purpose organisation that supports people with a spinal cord injury and other neurological conditions. For more information about our supports and services, visit our Resource Hub at https://scia.org.au/resource-hub/.

Send a text

Trigger warning, this episode speaks in detail about attempted suicide. Listener discretion is advised. 

In this episode, 2023 Lifeline Ambassador and public speaker, Matthew Caruana, comes on to share his story, At 16, in an attempt to end his life Matthew jumped seven storeys from a building. He survived, sustained a spinal cord injury and began a journey that would literally change his whole life.

Additional information for this episode:

Matthew Caruana: https://www.mattcaruana.com/

Seismic Jump: https://www.seismicjump.com/

Matt's Instagram @mattshares: https://www.instagram.com/mattshares/

Credits
This episode has been written, produced and edited by Susan Wood. Logo art by Cobie Ann Moore.

Spinal Cord Injuries Australia is a for-purpose organisation that supports people with a spinal cord injury and other neurological conditions. For more information about our supports and services, visit our Resource Hub at https://scia.org.au/resource-hub/.

Send a text

This is Have The Nerve Shorts - the short episodes between the long ones where we talk about things From The Internet, you can Get To Know Your Body and there might be even Something To Think About.

On this episode of Have The Nerve, Forrest Campbell comes on to talk about his observations about the lack of peer support for his wife when he sustained his spinal cord injury in 2015. He talks about how the difficulty of transitioning to a new life wasn't just felt for him, but became very real for her as well, and when they looked for genuine support it was sorely lacking.

According to Carers Australia there are currently 2.65 million unpaid carers in Australia who provide 2.2 billion hours of unpaid care per year.

Note: In the episode Forrest mentions that his wife is working on a peer support website for carers to access. We will update you on the progress.

Information that could help you:

Carers Gateway Australia: https://www.carergateway.gov.au/

SCIA's Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) for family members and caregivers: https://scia.org.au/wellness-recovery-action-plan/

Credits
This episode has been written, produced and edited by Susan Wood. Logo art by Cobie Ann Moore.

Spinal Cord Injuries Australia is a for-purpose organisation that supports people with a spinal cord injury and other neurological conditions. For more information about our supports and services, visit our Resource Hub at https://scia.org.au/resource-hub/.

Send a text

This is Have The Nerve Shorts - the short episodes between the long ones where we talk about things From The Internet, you can Get To Know Your Body and there might be even Something To Think About.

In this episode Physiotherapist Colbey Van Leeuwen talks about what shoulder health means and why it's so important you know the right way to take care of them.

NeuroMoves is a specialised exercise service for people with neurological conditions and physical disabilities. Our team of Exercise Physiologists and Physiotherapists want to increase your independence, health and wellbeing and help you work towards your goals, no matter how big or small.

If you want more information visit https://scia.org.au/neuromoves-exercise/.

Spinal Cord Injuries Australia is a for-purpose organisation that supports people with a spinal cord injury and other neurological conditions. For more information about our supports and services, visit our Resource Hub at https://scia.org.au/resource-hub/.

Send a text

It's 2024 - A New Year, A New Start.

This is Have The Nerve Shorts - the short episodes between the long ones where we talk about things From The Internet, you can Get To Know Your Body and there might be even Something To Think About.

In this episode you are listening to Laura Burling, Jade Williams and Susan Wood answer the question: WIBTA for saying my girlfriend and I aren’t going to anime expo if she has to leave Monday and I have to leave Sunday?

As we read more into the predicament, we quickly find out that OP is trying to prevent his girlfriend from attending an out-of-state convention without him because of his fears and anxieties around her disability.

You can read the whole Reddit thread here: https://www.reddit.com/r/AmItheAsshole/comments/14133oh/wibta_for_saying_my_gf_and_i_arent_going_to_anime/

Let us know what you think! Is he the AH?

Credits
This episode has been written, produced and edited by Susan Wood. Logo art by Cobie Ann Moore.

Spinal Cord Injuries Australia is a for-purpose organisation that supports people with a spinal cord injury and other neurological conditions. For more information about our supports and services, visit our Resource Hub at https://scia.org.au/resource-hub/.

Send a text

We’ve spoken about access to large scale events such as music festivals, concerts, Susan may have mentioned something about the weird inclusion issue in running events, but what about smaller scale events like attending a play, or hang on – what if you are a playwright with a disability and you want to stage a production, what if you are a stage actor with a disability and want to perform? Do you get a fair chance?

Jacqueline Tooley is the former Accessibility Manager of the Darlinghurst Theatre Company in Sydney, a queer disabled emerging playwright and currently living in the UK studying her Masters in Dramagurty and Writing for Performance at Goldsmith's College at the University of London. 

They talk about everything from basic access for someone viewing a play to access on the stage to her thoughts on how people in the LGBTQI+ community perceive people with disabilities, and disability itself. We cover a lot, so strap in!

Information in this episode:

Darlinghurst Theatre Company: https://www.darlinghursttheatre.com/

Ali Stroker - Actress, author singer: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ali_Stroker

RUH Global Impact - Disability influences a trillion dollars in disposable income?: https://www.ruhglobal.com/disability-influences-trillion-dollars-david-perez/

The Dan Daws Show: https://dandawcreative.com/productions/the-dan-daw-show/

Auslan with David (Instagram):  https://www.instagram.com/auslanwithdavid/

Credits
This episode has been written, produced and edited by Susan Wood. Logo art by Cobie Ann Moore.

Spinal Cord Injuries Australia is a for-purpose organisation that supports people with a spinal cord injury and other neurological conditions. For more information about our supports and services, visit our Resource Hub at https://scia.org.au/resource-hub/.

Send a text

Trigger warning, this episode discusses sexual and physical abuse of people with disabilities and listen discretion is advised.

In this episode of Have the Nerve Susan speaks to Jake Briggs, long time disability advocate, Managing Director of CultureConnex and host of the podcast Keep Rolling with Jake Briggs. 

They talk about his career as an advocate, his work in service provision, his work supporting First Nations People during the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability, The Voice Referendum and the ripple affect that misinformation and lack of education has had for people with disabilities living in metropolitan, regional, rural and remote areas across Australia.

Information in this episode:

CultureConnex: https://cultureconnex.com.au/

Keep Rolling with Jake Briggs: https://linktr.ee/street_rolling_cheetah

Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability: https://disability.royalcommission.gov.au/

First Peoples Disability Network: https://fpdn.org.au/

National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS): https://www.ndis.gov.au/

The biggest takeaways from the Disability Royal Commission after four years of hearings (Australian Broadcasting Corporation): https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-05-13/disability-royal-commission-biggest-stories/102326830

If you, or anyone you know, needs to speak to someone:

Lifeline  13 11 14

13 YARN 13 92 76

Kids Helpline 1800 551 800

MensLine Australia 1300 789 978

Suicide Call Back Service  1300 659 467

Beyond Blue 1300 22 46 36

Headspace 1800 650 890

QLife 1800 184 527

Credits
This episode has been written, produced and edited by Susan Wood. Logo art by Cobie Ann Moore.

Spinal Cord Injuries Australia is a for-purpose organisation that supports people with a spinal cord injury and other neurological conditions. For more information about our supports and services, visit our Resource Hub at https://scia.org.au/resource-hub/.

Send a text

How many times a year do you think the average person with a disability, requiring products like these would need to go to the bathroom? 

How much does it cost?

What does someone do when they can’t afford basic medical necessities to go to the bathroom?

AND what happens if you are an immigrant who needs continence products and you don’t qualify for any funding at all?

Edwina Spooner from Coloplast is back and we talk about the very sobering realities for a lot of people who don’t have access to a lot of funding or may not have any funding at all and the ripple effect it creates.

Information in this episode:

Coloplast: https://products.coloplast.com.au/

Continence Aids Payment Scheme (CAPS): https://www.health.gov.au/our-work/continence-aids-payment-scheme-caps

National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS): https://www.ndis.gov.au/

My Aged Care: https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/

Continence Foundation of Australia: https://www.continence.org.au/

Parliament of Australia - Find your local Member: https://www.aph.gov.au/senators_and_members/members

Have The Nerve Episode Three - What you should know about SCI and bladder management: https://scia.org.au/resource-hub/what-you-should-know-about-sci-and-bladder-management/

Have The Nerve Episode Four - What you should know about SCI and bowel management: https://scia.org.au/resource-hub/sci-and-bowel-management/

Credits
This episode has been written, produced and edited by Susan Wood. Logo art by Cobie Ann Moore.

Spinal Cord Injuries Australia is a for-purpose organisation that supports people with a spinal cord injury and other neurological conditions. For more information about our supports and services, visit our Resource Hub at https://scia.org.au/resource-hub/.

Send a text

It's getting into the warmer seasons now and when the weather gets warmer people like to go out more.

What does that have to do with this episode?

Senior Community Services Coordinator Laura Burling and Representative Advocate Jade Williams talk with Susan about what a Companion Card is, why they are important and they talk about why more people should understand the meticulous planning behind going to even the most simple of social situations for most people with disabilities.

Information in this episode:

National Companion Card (Australia wide): https://www.dss.gov.au/our-responsibilities/disability-and-carers/program-services/for-people-with-disability/national-companion-card

SCIA Representative Advocacy: https://scia.org.au/advocacy-policy/

SCIA Support Coordination: https://scia.org.au/ndis-support-coordination/

Credits
This episode has been written, produced and edited by Susan Wood. Logo art by Cobie Ann Moore.

Spinal Cord Injuries Australia is a for-purpose organisation that supports people with a spinal cord injury and other neurological conditions. For more information about our supports and services, visit our Resource Hub at https://scia.org.au/resource-hub/.

Send a text

In this episode of Have the Nerve Susan speaks to Geraldine Watts. disability advocate. After a series of accidents that affected her spine, in 2016 her intervertebral disc disintegrated and she lost mobility, function and sensation. It was only in 2020 where she was formerly diagnosed with a spinal cord injury that set her off to find and absorb as much information about her disability as possible.

We talk about her journey with mental health and mental wellbeing, the barriers of accessing health services, and even general information living in rural and regional Australia, we talk about courage and how she’s turned from feeling shy to an outspoken advocate for people with disabilities in her now regional community.

Information in this episode:

SCIA's Resilience Program -  Engage: https://scia.org.au/engage/

SCIA's Resilience Program -   Wellness Recovery Action Plan: https://scia.org.au/wrap/

SCIA's Resilience Programs Engage and WRAP is for people with disabilities, their family and caregivers:  Register your interest here

SCIA's Representative Advocacy: https://scia.org.au/advocacy-policy/

Our Represtentative Advocacy Team is located in Sydney, Illawarra and Hunter regions of New South Wales. They hold Online Network Forums, face-to-face advocacy catch ups and advocacy education workshops. Click here to register.

Credits
This episode has been written, produced and edited by Susan Wood. Logo art by Cobie Ann Moore.

Spinal Cord Injuries Australia is a for-purpose organisation that supports people with a spinal cord injury and other neurological conditions. For more information about our supports and services, visit our Resource Hub at https://scia.org.au/resource-hub/.

Send a text

Today is International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD)! 

On this episode, Forrest, Declan and Maz from our EmployAbility team come on the podcast to discuss equity, the importance of lived-experience led training and social progress. 

This year's theme for IDPwD is 'Fostering disability inclusive societies for advancing social progress'. At SCIA, all of our services strive to empower people with disabilities, the people who support them and educate the next generations of people to help foster a society that excels for everyone.

Information in this episode

Let our EmployAbility team help you build a more inclusive workplace or help you find meaningful, inclusive employment. Visit https://employability.org.au/.

Episode 39: Something To Think About - People with Disabilities Need To Pay Bills Too, You Know https://scia.org.au/resource-hub/people-with-disabilities-need-to-pay-bills-too/

"We're not just ready to work, we're ready to take your jobs, alright?" Dylan Alcott Australian of the Year 2022 speech in full - https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-01-26/dylan-alcott-australian-of-the-year-speech-in-full/100783308

Credits
This episode has been written, produced and edited by Susan Wood. Logo art by Cobie Ann Moore.

Spinal Cord Injuries Australia is a for-purpose organisation that supports people with a spinal cord injury and other neurological conditions. For more information about our supports and services, visit our Resource Hub at https://scia.org.au/resource-hub/.

Send a text

Sydney WorldPride 2023 didn’t just happen in two weeks between February to March, it’s the gift that keeps on giving and Susan will keep giving those gifts.

Let's cast our minds back, hit rewind, do some reminiscing and hear performances and interviews of the artists that made up Ground Zero at Brand X in Darlinghurst, New South Wales.

Ground Zero was a performing arts creative development and performance program presented as part of The Flying Nun by Brand X and Sydney WorldPride 2023.

Ground Zero was supported by the Wales Family Foundation and audience donations.

Audio Recorded and Mixed by Douglas Walker. Performances in this episode have been by permission of each artist, and are not played in full, except for Christopher Bryant's 'New Balance'.

If you would like to enquire about the full recordings please contact Brand X at info@brandx.org.au.

Information in this episode:

Brand X: https://www.brandx.org.au/

Ground Zero Artist Announcement (Brand X): https://www.brandx.org.au/news/ground-zero-artist-annoucement

Episode 24 - Voices from Sydney Mardi Gras 2023 #SydneyWorldPride: https://scia.org.au/resource-hub/voices-from-sydney-mardi-gras-202-ep24/

Artists in order of Ground Zero performance appearance:

‘Spoons’
Created and performed by Saskia Ellis
Composed by WYTCHINGS (aka Jenny Trinh)

‘No Romo’
Created and performed by Artemis Muñoz
With support from Erin Neill

‘New Balance’
Created and performed by Christopher Bryant
Director/Dramaturgy by Emma Palackic
Composed by Romy Seven Fox

‘Coconut Baby’
Created and performed by Sarah Carroll 

‘Cupcake’
Created and performed by Robyn Reynolds

Artist Links

Creative Director - Dan Graham: https://dangraham.com.au/

Saskia Ellis - Sydney Dance Company Article: https://www.sydneydancecompany.com/discover/the-2020-pre-professional-year-dancers-reflect-on-their-first-term/

Artemis Munoz: https://www.artemismunoz.com/

Christopher Bryant: http://www.christopher-bryant.com/

Sarah Carroll: https://www.instagram.com/_sarahleigh/

Robyn Reynolds (MC): https://www.robynreynoldscomedy.com/

Credits

This episode has been written, produced and edited by Susan Wood. Logo art by Cobie Ann Moore.

Spinal Cord Injuries Australia is a for-purpose organisation that supports people with a spinal cord injury and other neurological conditions. For more information about our supports and services, visit our Resource Hub at https://scia.org.au/resource-hub/.

Send a text

According to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Asia-Pacific region is the most disaster prone region in the world. 

Australia has a long history with heatwaves, bushfires, drought, flood and tropical cyclones and we’re going from La Nina to El Nino, meaning, potentially a repeat of the 2019 – 2020 bushfires that saw the whole country on fire.

In this episode, Susan talks to Michelle Villeneuve, Associate Professor of Occupational Therapy and Deputy Director at the Centre for Disability Research and Policy at University of Sydney about this emerging interest, how COVID-19  came in and changed everything.

Information in this episode:

Michelle Villenueve - University of Sydney, Faculty of Medicine and Health: https://www.sydney.edu.au/medicine-health/about/our-people/academic-staff/michelle-villeneuve.html

Collaborating 4 Inclusion: https://collaborating4inclusion.org/

Person-Centred Emergency Preparedness (P-CEP) Resource Package: https://collaborating4inclusion.org/disability-inclusive-disaster-risk-reduction/p-cep-resource-package/

Person-Centred Emergency Preparedness (P-CEP) Workbook: https://collaborating4inclusion.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/2020-08-19-Person-Centred-Emergency-Preparedness-P-CEP-WORKBOOK_FINAL.pdf

Disability and Australia’s Disability Strategy 2021–2031 - Australian Department of Social Services: https://www.dss.gov.au/disability-and-australias-disability-strategy-2021-2031

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade - Disaster Risk Reduction and Resilience: https://www.dfat.gov.au/development/topics/development-issues/building-resilience/drr/disaster-risk-reduction-and-resilience

United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction: https://www.undrr.org/disability-inclusion-disaster-risk-reduction

Australian Human Rights Commission - United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD): https://humanrights.gov.au/our-work/disability-rights/united-nations-convention-rights-persons-disabilities-uncrpd

Credits
This episode has been written, produced and edited by Susan Wood. Logo art by Cobie Ann Moore.

Spinal Cord Injuries Australia is a for-purpose organisation that supports people with a spinal cord injury and other neurological conditions. For more information about our supports and services, visit our Resource Hub at https://scia.org.au/resource-hub/.

Send a text

In Episode 23 - Be Curious, Not Judgemental, Paediatric Nurse Consultant Jodie Thompson from Kids Collaborative and Paediatric Clinical Psychologist Amanda Lane-Brown talked with Susan about primary schooling and children with disabilities.

What about high school?

CONTENT WARNING: This episode discusses suicidal ideation and addiction. Listener discretion is advised. If you are struggling with similar feelings we encourage you to please call the 24 hour crisis support service Lifeline on 13 11 14.

In this episode we talk about self-esteem, body image comparisons, raging hormones, bullying and that endless cycle of trying to be someone you aren’t.

Information in this episode
Kids Collaborative: https://kidscollaborative.com.au/

Disability Support Guide Amanda Lane-Brown: https://www.disabilitysupportguide.com.au/profile/amanda-lane-brown

University of Sydney Amanda Lane-Brown: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Amanda-Lane-Brown

The Ted Lasso scene - Season 1, Episode 8 The Diamond Dogs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZ4YSXv6Xkg

SCIA Resilience Programs - https://scia.org.au/resilience-programs/

Credits
This episode has been written, produced and edited by Susan Wood. Logo art by Cobie Ann Moore.

Spinal Cord Injuries Australia is a for-purpose organisation that supports people with a spinal cord injury and other neurological conditions. For more information about our supports and services, visit our Resource Hub at https://scia.org.au/resource-hub/.

Send a text

It is Sydney WorldPride and Have The Nerve will be bringing you interviews from all over the place, highlighting the voices of people with disabilities in this community.

TW: This episode does contain content about abuse that can be triggering to some people.
 
In this episode, you'll here from Aspen Luke, a 17 year old Susan met on the train, who is about to participate in his first Mardi Gras on Aspect/Austism Australia’s float and former president of People With Disability Australia (PWDA) Dr David Abello who participated in the first ever Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras in 1978 and is on the 78ers float in 2023.

Information in this episode
History of Sydney Mardi Gras: https://www.mardigras.org.au/history-of-sydney-mardi-gras/

People with Disability Australia: https://pwd.org.au/

PWDA at Sydney WorldPride 2023: https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO2302/S00110/people-with-disability-australia-at-2023-sydney-world-pride.htm

WorldPride a parade of inclusion and solidarity for Aspen - NDIS: https://www.ndis.gov.au/stories/8869-worldpride-parade-inclusion-and-solidarity-aspen

Aspen Luke - Linktree: https://linktr.ee/aspenluke

Credits
This episode has been written, produced and edited by Susan Wood with assistance by  Effie Manetakis. Logo art by Cobie Ann Moore.

Spinal Cord Injuries Australia is a for-purpose organisation that supports people with a spinal cord injury and other neurological conditions. For more information about our supports and services, visit our Resource Hub at https://scia.org.au/resource-hub/.

Send a text

It's the beginning of a new school year for students in Australia. For the first episode of 2023 (coincidentally starting with Episode 23!), Paediatric Nurse Consultant Jodie Thompson from Kids Collaborative and Paediatric Clinical Psychologist Amanda Lane-Brown talk with Susan about how being curious to ask questions without judgement is THE key element for children with a disability entering primary school.

We also talk about self-esteem, masking disability and how there should be a greater emphasis on education system and parents working together to get the best possible outcome for children.

This is two part series, we will be following this up with an upcoming episode about high schoolers and disability.

Information in this episode
Kids Collaborative: https://kidscollaborative.com.au/

Disability Support Guide Amanda Lane-Brown: https://www.disabilitysupportguide.com.au/profile/amanda-lane-brown

University of Sydney Amanda Lane-Brown: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Amanda-Lane-Brown

9 reasons now is the time to read these comic books about kids with disability: https://northcott.com.au/9-reasons-now-is-the-time-to-read-these-comic-books-about-kids-with-disability/

Continence Foundation of Australia - Toilet Tactics: https://www.continence.org.au/incontinence/who-it-affects/children/toilet-tactics

Australian Institute of Teaching and School Leadership Limited - Inclusive Education: https://www.aitsl.edu.au/research/spotlights/inclusive-education-teaching-students-with-disability

Raising Children - School support for children with disability: https://raisingchildren.net.au/disability/school-play-work/school/school-support-disability

Autism Spectrum Australia - Life Stages Primary School: https://www.autismspectrum.org.au/life-stages/primary-school

Credits
This episode has been written, produced and edited by Susan Wood with assistance by  Effie Manetakis. Logo art by Cobie Ann Moore.

Spinal Cord Injuries Australia is a for-purpose organisation that supports people with a spinal cord injury and other neurological conditions. For more information about our supports and services, visit our Resource Hub at https://scia.org.au/resource-hub/.

Send a text

On the final episode of 2022, Emily Bray comes on to talk about confidence, meaning and purpose on the days when you really feel disabled. 

What does that mean? These are the times where something has happened and you have the very confrontational thought: "Holy crap. I'm actually disabled".

Where do you find the resilience to keep going when you have a body that requires you to think about added challenges? 

How do you feel confident going to the shops or going… anywhere with a running commentary in your head about what your plan b, c, d and e is if everything goes wrong?

Emily from SCIA's Resilience Programs and Susan talk about gaining and retaining confidence, meaning and purpose, especially when there are situations with unavoidable everyday anxieties, confronting those “Holy crap. I’m actually disabled” days, and finding your community.

Information in this episode
SCIA Resilience Programs: https://scia.org.au/resilience-programs/

Engage - Find meaning and purpose: https://scia.org.au/engage/

Wellness Action Recovery Plan (WRAP): https://scia.org.au/wrap/

Credits
This episode has been written, produced and edited by Susan Wood with assistance by  Effie Manetakis. Logo art by Cobie Ann Moore.

Spinal Cord Injuries Australia is a for-purpose organisation that supports people with a spinal cord injury and other neurological conditions. For more information about our supports and services, visit our Resource Hub at https://scia.org.au/resource-hub/.

Send a text

When you don't know what something is, how do you know what to ask for?

The most major reform for people with disabilities in Australia, but so fraught with tedious obstacles. This is the third episode where we have covered the NDIS because it is such a complicated beast.

How much do you actually know about NDIS Support Coordination?

Have you ever looked at your NDIS plan and felt lost? Confused?

Have you ever attempted to find legal aid to help you at an Administrative Appeals Tribunal?

In this episode Louise and Mel from our Community Services team and April from our Policy and Advocacy team talk about how NDIS support plans seem both too broad and too specific, how educating NDIS planners and Local Area Coordinators can really benefit participants, how all of these combined contribute to everyone getting NDIS burnout and the inaccuracies behind the phrase “NDIS blowout”.

Information in this episode
SCIA Support Coordination: https://scia.org.au/ndis-support-coordination/

SCIA Policy and Advocacy: https://scia.org.au/advocacy-policy/

NDIS Creating Your Plan - Typical Support Package: https://ourguidelines.ndis.gov.au/your-plan-menu/creating-your-plan

Administrative Appeals Tribunal - NDIS: https://www.aat.gov.au/steps-in-a-review/national-disability-insurance-scheme-ndis/assistance

Administrative Appeals Tribunal Act 1975 - Sect 42D remittal: http://classic.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/cth/consol_act/aata1975323/s42d.html

Assistive Technology Explained (NDIS): https://www.ndis.gov.au/participants/assistive-technology-explained

Ageing Disability and Home Care (ADHC) is part of the Department of Family and Community Services

Legal Aid NSW: https://www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au/

Legal assistance services (Australia wide): https://www.ag.gov.au/legal-system/legal-assistance-services

Mozo - National Disability Insurance Scheme added $52 billion to economy in 2020-21, research shows (article): https://mozo.com.au/family-finances/national-disability-insurance-scheme-added-52-billion-to-economy-in-2020-21-research-shows

Credits
This episode has been written, produced and edited by Susan Wood with assistance by Cobie Ann Moore and Effie Manetakis. Logo art by Cobie Ann Moore.

Spinal Cord Injuries Australia is a for-purpose organisation that supports people with a spinal cord injury and other neurological conditions. For more information about our supports and services, visit our Resource Hub at https://scia.org.au/resource-hub/.

Send a text

TW: This episode talks about domestic violence, sexual assault, coercive control and suicide. Listener discretion is advised.

If you need support you can call the National Domestic Family and Sexual Violence Counselling Service on 1800 RESPECT or visit https://www.1800respect.org.au/

In Australia, on average, one woman a week is murdered at the hands of a current, or former partner, and approximately 10 women a day are hospitalised for assault injuries perpetrated by spouse or domestic partner and evidence shows that women with disabilities in Australia are two times more likely to experience sexual violence and intimate partner violence.

Nicole Lee is a victim survivor of domestic, family and sexual violence and uses her first hand experience as a person with a disability to help advocate for others with a disability who are also victim survivors of abuse.

Susan and Nicole talk about her journey, the cycle of coercive control and how the systems set up for someone to escape violence isn't built for people with disabilties.

Support Resources
Reach out - Domestic Violence support: https://au.reachout.com/articles/domestic-violence-support

Lifeline Crisis Chat: https://www.lifeline.org.au/crisis-chat/

Australian Government Support Directory - respect.gov.au: https://www.respect.gov.au/services/

Staying Home Leaving Violence: https://www.facs.nsw.gov.au/domestic-violence/services-and-support/programs/staying-home-leaving-violence

Information in this episode
Nicole Lee: https://speakingout.com.au/speaker/nicole-lee/

Women with disability are being turned away by family violence services in Australia - SBS: https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/women-with-disability-are-being-turned-away-by-family-violence-services-in-australia/bqjumdl3c

Women living with disability can face extra hurdles breaking free of abusers, survivor warns - ABC: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-08-23/domestic-violence-and-disability-challenges-to-getting-out/100359908

The Choice - Violence or Poverty: https://www.violenceorpoverty.com/

Rosie Batty: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosie_Batty

Phil Cleary: sister's death led to drive for justice: https://www.thecourier.com.au/story/1695362/phil-cleary-sisters-death-led-to-drive-for-justice/

The Duluth Model Understanding the Power and Control Wheel: https://www.theduluthmodel.org/wheels/understanding-power-control-wheel/

So, what exactly is coercive control? - Laura Richard

Spinal Cord Injuries Australia is a for-purpose organisation that supports people with a spinal cord injury and other neurological conditions. For more information about our supports and services, visit our Resource Hub at https://scia.org.au/resource-hub/.

Send a text

It is Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Week in Australia and this year we’re saying #IAmMoreThanMyDisability. 

Emily Bray is a wife, mother, social worker, researcher and PhD candidate. 

We talk about the language of disability and subconscious bias. What happens if you don’t want to be an athlete? Well… nothing, you just live a regular life. But why does it seem to hard for the broader community to grasp?

We cover so many things: awareness days, disability only events, being congratulated for just living and existing, the difficulty of finding friends, the difficulty in finding work, so many things when people don’t look beyond and consider the person first.

Credits
This episode has been written, produced and edited by Susan Wood. Logo art by Cobie Ann Moore.

Spinal Cord Injuries Australia is a for-purpose organisation that supports people with a spinal cord injury and other neurological conditions. For more information about our supports and services, visit our Resource Hub at https://bit.ly/ResourceHubSCIA.

Spinal Cord Injuries Australia is a for-purpose organisation that supports people with a spinal cord injury and other neurological conditions. For more information about our supports and services, visit our Resource Hub at https://scia.org.au/resource-hub/.

Send a text

For this episode of Have the Nerve, Susan talks to Dr Camila Quel de Oliveira, Lecturer in Physiotherapy at UTS, and NeuroMoves Physiotherapist Hannah Maslen about the most amazing part of the human body – the brain.

From in the womb to end of life, we talk about neuroplasticity and the information super highway that is the spinal cord. How does this relate for people with spinal cord injuries? Camila and Hannah will tell you all about it.

Information in this episode
NeuroMoves exercise service (Australia wide): https://scia.org.au/neuromoves-exercise/

Dr Camila Quel de Olivera - Lecturer in Physiotherapy at University of Technology Sydney (UTS): https://profiles.uts.edu.au/Camila.QuelDeOliveira

The eWalk Trial - Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA): https://www.neura.edu.au/the-ewalk-trial-transcutaneous-spinal-cord-stimulation-to-improve-walking-in-people-with-incomplete-spinal-cord-injury/

Project Spark - SCIA: https://scia.org.au/2022/02/07/project-spark-for-an-australia-wide-revolution-in-sci-treatment/

Project Spark - SpinalCure: https://www.spinalcure.org.au/campaigns/projectspark/

Professor V. Reggie Edgerton - Neurobiology, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA): https://bioscience.ucla.edu/people/v-reggie-edgerton/

Credits
This episode has been written, produced and edited by Susan Wood with assistance by Cobie Ann Moore and Effie Manetakis. Logo art by Cobie Ann Moore.

Spinal Cord Injuries Australia is a for-purpose organisation that supports people with a spinal cord injury and other neurological conditions. For more information about our supports and services, visit our Resource Hub at https://bit.ly/ResourceHubSCIA.

Spinal Cord Injuries Australia is a for-purpose organisation that supports people with a spinal cord injury and other neurological conditions. For more information about our supports and services, visit our Resource Hub at https://scia.org.au/resource-hub/.

Send a text

On this episode Dan Holt, Ash Treseder and Rob Wynn come on the podcast to share their experiences of fatherhood at their respective stages. 

Whether that's a father to be, a new father or a with grown children, they share their learnings, some of the fears and how the importance of being open and honest about their disabilities to everyone is essential. 

Information in this episode

Put a face to the people you heard in  this episode and visit SCIA's Peer and Family Support Team: https://scia.org.au/living-with-a-disability/navigating-life-with-a-disability/

Credits
This episode has been written, produced and edited by Susan Wood. Logo art by Cobie Ann Moore.

Spinal Cord Injuries Australia is a for-purpose organisation that supports people with a spinal cord injury and other neurological conditions. For more information about our supports and services, visit our Resource Hub at https://scia.org.au/resource-hub/.

Send a text

In this episode Susan speaks to Western Australia Greens Senator, Jordon Steele-John.

We talk about his first day working at Parliament House as a person with a disability, the importance of disability representation in politics and diversity and how including people with disabilities in legislation goes well beyond topics such as the NDIS and Disability Support Pension.

Information in this episode

Jordon Steele-John: https://www.aph.gov.au/Senators_and_M...

https://greens.org.au/wa/person/jordo...

Australian Greens: https://greens.org.au/

Credits
This episode has been written, produced and edited by Susan Wood with assistance by Effie Manetakis. Logo art by Cobie Ann Moore.

Spinal Cord Injuries Australia is a for-purpose organisation that supports people with a spinal cord injury and other neurological conditions. For more information about our supports and services, visit our Resource Hub at https://bit.ly/ResourceHubSCIA.

Spinal Cord Injuries Australia is a for-purpose organisation that supports people with a spinal cord injury and other neurological conditions. For more information about our supports and services, visit our Resource Hub at https://scia.org.au/resource-hub/.

Send a text

Listeners are advised that the following podcast does discuss situations around grief and trauma that can be triggering to people.

On this episode I talk about the complexities of grief and trauma with clinical psychologist, Skye Dong.

Skye helped develop SCIA’s Engage Program as part of our broader Resilience Programs. We're going to talk about the different ways people manifest pain and trauma, and why the way we deal with trauma and pain in terms of disability is a lot more than the disability itself.

Information about what we've discussed in the episode:

Skye Dong, Clinical Psychologist: http://www.skyedong.com/

Australian Clinical Psychology Association: https://acpa.org.au/find-a-clinical-psychologist/

Blue Knot Foundation: https://blueknot.org.au/

Mental Health Treatment plan (Australia only): https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/mental-health-treatment-plan

SCIA Resilience Programs - Engage: https://scia.org.au/engage/
  
SCIA Peer and Family Support Team: https://scia.org.au/peer-support-team/

Trauma and Recovery - Judith Herman: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/542700.Trauma_and_Recovery

Paul Gilbert, Evolutionary Psychologist: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Gilbert_(psychologist)

Dr Dan Siegel, UCLA Clinical Professor of Psychiatry: https://drdansiegel.com/

Credits
This episode has been written, produced and edited by Susan Wood with assistance by Cobie Ann Moore and Effie Manetakis. Logo art by Cobie Ann Moore.

Spinal Cord Injuries Australia is a for-purpose organisation that supports people with a spinal cord injury and other neurological conditions. For more information about our supports and services, visit our Resource Hub at https://bit.ly/ResourceHubSCIA.

We want to hear from you!

Whether you're a person with a disability, or an able-bodied ally, fill in our very quick survey and tell us what you thought about this episode!

Spinal Cord Injuries Australia is a for-purpose organisation that supports people with a spinal cord injury and other neurological conditions. For more information about our supports and services, visit our Resource Hub at https://scia.org.au/resource-hub/.

Send a text

Finding work and having a disability is hard.

No like, it's really hard.

In this episode, Susan talks to Phat Ngo, Employment Service Manager for SCIA's EmployAbility Service and Dominika Jachym, EmployAbility's Employment Coach about the obvious misconceptions of disability and employment, how that feeds into the hesitation a lot of employers have when hiring someone with a disability, how employers can better themselves to be a more inclusive workplace, help people with disabilities climb the career ladder and how COVID has forced people to start looking at what employment means in a different light.

Information about what we've discussed in the episode:

EmployAbility: https://employability.org.au/

Disability Gateway: https://www.disabilitygateway.gov.au/

Job Access - Driving Disability Employment: https://www.jobaccess.gov.au/home

Credits
This episode has been written, produced and edited by Susan Wood with assistance by Cobie Ann Moore and Michelle Kearney. Logo art by Cobie Ann Moore.

Spinal Cord Injuries Australia is a for-purpose organisation that supports people with a spinal cord injury and other neurological conditions. For more information about our supports and services, visit our Resource Hub at https://bit.ly/ResourceHubSCIA.

We want to hear from you!

Whether you're a person with a disability, or an able-bodied ally, fill in our very quick survey and tell us what you thought about this episode!

Spinal Cord Injuries Australia is a for-purpose organisation that supports people with a spinal cord injury and other neurological conditions. For more information about our supports and services, visit our Resource Hub at https://scia.org.au/resource-hub/.

Send a text

Maybe some of you may not have thought this was possible. Maybe some of you didn't know that this could and should be something to consider.

We're not talking about miraculously standing up and walking around, Physiotherapist Colbey Van Leeuwen and Exercise Physiologist Alicia Payne talk about the importance of standing in therapy, particularly for people who have had traumatic spinal cord injuries, the technology and what the research says.

Credits
This episode has been written, produced and edited by Susan Wood with assistance by Colbey Van Leeuwen, Michelle Kearney and Nathan Mikhael. Logo art by Cobie Ann Moore.

Spinal Cord Injuries Australia is a for-purpose organisation that supports people with a spinal cord injury and other neurological conditions. For more information about our supports and services visit our Resource Hub at https://bit.ly/ResourceHubSCIA.

Information about what we've discussed in the episode (There are a LOT of citations. Strap yourselves in):

NeuroMoves Exercise Service: https://scia.org.au/neuromoves-exercise/

We want to hear from you!

Whether you're a person with a disability, or an able-bodied ally, fill in our very quick survey and tell us what you thought about this episode!

Kwok, S., Harvey, L., Glinsky, J., Bowden, J.L., Coggrave, M. & Tussler, D. 2015. Does regular standing improve bowel function in people with spinal cord injury? A randomised crossover trial. Spinal Cord, 53(1), 36-41. 

Walter, J., Sola, P.,
Sacks, J., Lucero, Y., Langbein, E. & Weaver, F. 1999. Indications for a
home standing program for individuals with spinal cord injury. J Spinal Cord
Med, 22(3), 152-158.       

Goemare, S. &
Laere, M.Van. 1994. Bone mineral status in paraplegic patients who do or do not
perform standing. Osteoporosis Int., 4, 138-143. 
    
Alekna, V.,
Tamulaitiene, M., Sinevicius, T. & Juocevicius, A. 2008. Effect of
weight-bearing activities on bone mineral density in spinal cord injured
patients during the period of the first two years. Spinal Cord., 46(11), 727-732. 
      
Bohannon, R. 1993.
Tilt table standing for reducing spasticity after spinal cord injury. Arch Phys
Med Rehabil, 74, 1121-1122. 

Shields, R.K. &
Dudley-Javoroski, S. 2005. Monitoring standing wheelchair use after spinal cord
injury: a case report. Disabil Rehabil, 27(3), 142-146. 

Pollock, A., Gray, C.,
Culham, E., Durward, B.R. and Langhorne, P., 2012. Interventions for improving
sit-to-stand ability following stroke. status and date: Edited (no change to
conclusions), published in, (9). 

Veerbeek, J.M., van
Wegen, E., van Peppen, R., van der Wees, P.J., Hendriks, E., Rietberg, M. and
Kwakkel, G., 2014. What is the evidence for physical therapy poststroke? A
systematic review and meta-analysis. PloS one, 9(2), p.e87987. 

Stanton, R., Ada, L.,
Dean, C.M. and Preston, E., 2011. Biofeedback improves activities of the lower
limb after stroke: a systematic review. Journal of physiotherapy, 57(3),
pp.145-155 

Singer, B., Dunne, J.,
Singer, K., Jegasot

Spinal Cord Injuries Australia is a for-purpose organisation that supports people with a spinal cord injury and other neurological conditions. For more information about our supports and services, visit our Resource Hub at https://scia.org.au/resource-hub/.

Send a text

That irresistible urge, the attraction, the anticipation and excitement for the slightest touch. Rachel calls it skin hunger.

Rachel Wotton is a Sex Worker living in Inner Sydney, Churchill Fellow and PhD candidate at Western Sydney University. Her PhD is about exploring the experiences of people with disabilities accessing sex workers in Australia.

Susan and Rachel talk about the misconceptions of two marginalised communities, the legacy of her 2011 documentary Scarlet Road, how her work has helped many people with disabilities to find independence and confidence and how she helped get sex work on the NDIS.

We want to make a follow up episode with Rachel with questions by you!
Ask anything here: https://bit.ly/HaveTheNerveRachelWotton. You will remain anonymous.

Information about what we've discussed in the episode:

Rachel Wotton: https://www.rachelwotton.com/

Participate in her survey and read more about Rachel's research: http://www.pasa-research.com.au/

Scarlet Road documentary: https://www.scarletroad.com.au/about/

Winston Churchill Trust Fellow, 2016: https://www.churchilltrust.com.au/fellow/rachel-wotton-nsw-2016/

Touching Base: https://www.touchingbase.org/

NDIS funds used to pay for sex workers, court rules (Guardian article, 2020): https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/may/12/ndis-funds-pay-sex-workers-court-rules

NDIS and Sex Work (Touching Base): https://www.touchingbase.org/ndis-and-sex-work/

Credits
This episode has been written, produced and edited by Susan Wood with assistance by Michelle Kearney and Nathan Mikhael. Logo art by Cobie Ann Moore.

Spinal Cord Injuries Australia is a for-purpose organisation that supports people with a spinal cord injury and other neurological conditions. For more information about our supports and services visit our Resource Hub at https://bit.ly/ResourceHubSCIA.

We want to hear from you!

Whether you're a person with a disability, or an able-bodied ally, fill in our very quick survey and tell us what you thought about this episode!

Spinal Cord Injuries Australia is a for-purpose organisation that supports people with a spinal cord injury and other neurological conditions. For more information about our supports and services, visit our Resource Hub at https://scia.org.au/resource-hub/.

Send a text

Eligibility within the NDIS is a little bit of grey area.

Although under the NDIS Act 2013 there are no specific diagnosis or disabilities listed, actually accessing the NDIS can be fraught with problems.

For the first full episode of Have the Nerve in 2022, Susan talks to SCIA's Senior Support Coordinator Louise Hilton and SCIA's Policy and Advocacy Officer Megan Bingham about about how the selective process of funding has larger systemic consequences and where a gap in disability education has left people behind.

Information about what we have discussed in this episode:

The NDIS Act: https://www.ndis.gov.au/about-us/governance/legislation

National Disability Insurance Scheme Act 2013 - Federal Register of Legislation: https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2013A00020

Access to the NDIS - The Disability Requirements: https://www.ndis.gov.au/about-us/operational-guidelines/access-ndis-operational-guideline/access-ndis-disability-requirements

SCIA NDIS Support Coordination and Plan Management (Australia wide): https://scia.org.au/ndis/

SCIA Individual, Family and Systemic Advocacy (New South Wales only): https://scia.org.au/advocacy-policy/

Credits
This episode has been written, produced and edited by Susan Wood with assistance by Michelle Kearney and Nathan Mikhael. Logo art by Cobie Ann Moore.

Spinal Cord Injuries Australia is a for-purpose organisation that supports people with a spinal cord injury and other neurological conditions. For more information about our supports and services visit scia.org.au.

We want to hear from you!

Whether you're a person with a disability, or an able-bodied ally, fill in our very quick survey and tell us what you thought about this episode!

Spinal Cord Injuries Australia is a for-purpose organisation that supports people with a spinal cord injury and other neurological conditions. For more information about our supports and services, visit our Resource Hub at https://scia.org.au/resource-hub/.

Send a text

Now that Summer is upon us in the Southern Hemisphere, Mike Cerrone, Project Officer for Waverley Council's Access Bondi! talks to Susan about why it's important for tourist destinations to be accessible for all people of all abilities.

Bondi Beach is a popular tourist destination on the east coast of Australia that brings in millions of visitors every year. We talk about how decent and suitable access can change society's perceptions on inclusion, give people freedom of choice when they go out and how your input can help encourage local councils to make accessibility a priority.

Information about what we have discussed in this episode:

Access Bondi! - https://www.waverley.nsw.gov.au/community/disability_inclusion/access_bondi

Bondi Beach - https://www.sydney.com/destinations/sydney/sydney-east/bondi/beach-lifestyle

NRMA x SCIA November 2021 joint report 'Where Do I Park?' - https://www.mynrma.com.au/-/media/nrma-where-do-i-park-report.pdf

Waverley Council Access & inclusion planning   https://www.waverley.nsw.gov.au/community/disability_inclusion/access_and_inclusion_planning

Waverley Council Access Committee  https://www.waverley.nsw.gov.au/council/advisory_committees/access_committee

Waverley Council Small Grants - https://www.waverley.nsw.gov.au/community/awards_forums_and_grants/small_grants_program

Credits
This episode has been written, produced and edited by Susan Wood with assistance by Michelle Kearney and Nathan Mikhael. Logo art by Cobie Ann Moore.

Spinal Cord Injuries Australia is a for-purpose organisation that supports people with a spinal cord injury and other neurological conditions. For more information about our supports and services visit scia.org.au.

We want to hear from you!

Whether you're a person with a disability, or an able-bodied ally, fill in our very quick survey and tell us what you thought about this episode!

Spinal Cord Injuries Australia is a for-purpose organisation that supports people with a spinal cord injury and other neurological conditions. For more information about our supports and services, visit our Resource Hub at https://scia.org.au/resource-hub/.

Send a text

Candice Care-Unger and Arlyn Owens from Royal Rehab's Sexuality Service in Sydney talks to Susan about how sexual self-esteem and empowering sexual confidence in people with disability is more than the literal mechanics of sex.

Whether you've had your disability long term, or recently, Candice and Arlyn talk about psychosexual intervention, the holistic approach to sexual wellbeing and how the media's ableist portrayal of sex has skewed society's expectation of dating someone with a disability.

Information about what we have discussed in this episode:

Royal Rehab Sexuality Service: https://royalrehab.com.au/sexuality-service/ (In person and via Telehealth all over Australia)

Royal Rehab's Sexuality Service is a paid service that can be funded by the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)

Relationships and Sexuality Counselling: https://royalrehab.com.au/relationship-and-sexuality-counselling/

Sexuality Clinic Sydney:https://royalrehab.com.au/sexuality-clinic/

Sexuality Retreats: https://royalrehab.com.au/sexuality-retreats/

For health professionals working in neuro disability, rehabilitation and chronic health conditions: https://royalrehab.com.au/sexuality-training-and-education-for-clinicians/

Sexuality and Fertility: https://scia.org.au/health-and-wellbeing/sexuality-and-fertility/

Credits
This episode has been written, produced and edited by Susan Wood with assistance by Michelle Kearney and Nathan Mikhael. Logo art by Cobie Ann Moore.

Spinal Cord Injuries Australia is a for-purpose organisation that supports people with a spinal cord injury and other neurological conditions. For more information about our supports and services visit scia.org.au.

We want to hear from you!

Whether you're a person with a disability, or an able-bodied ally, fill in our very quick survey and tell us what you thought about this episode!

Spinal Cord Injuries Australia is a for-purpose organisation that supports people with a spinal cord injury and other neurological conditions. For more information about our supports and services, visit our Resource Hub at https://scia.org.au/resource-hub/.

Send a text

We’re celebrating the diversity of disability and highlighting spinal cord injury awareness for the entire month of September.  

In this bonus episode of Have The Nerve, former Australian Steeler and Paralympic Wheelchair Rugby Gold medalist, Naz Erdem joins me to talk about his life as a Paralympian across five Paralympic games, his post Paralympic career and his hopes for the future of disability and sports.

Information about what we have discussed in this episode:

Paralympics Australia: https://www.paralympic.org.au/
Disability Sports Australia: https://www.sports.org.au/sports
Australian Steelers - Wheelchair Rugby: http://www.wheelchairrugby.com.au/australian-steelers
BSF Asia: https://bsfasia.org/

Credits
This episode has been written, produced and edited by Susan Wood. Logo art by Cobie Ann Moore.

Spinal Cord Injuries Australia is a for-purpose organisation that supports people with a spinal cord injury and other neurological conditions. For more information about our supports and services visit scia.org.au.

We want to hear from you!

Whether you're a person with a disability, or an able-bodied ally, fill in our very quick survey and tell us what you thought about this episode!

Spinal Cord Injuries Australia is a for-purpose organisation that supports people with a spinal cord injury and other neurological conditions. For more information about our supports and services, visit our Resource Hub at https://scia.org.au/resource-hub/.

Send a text

Have The Nerve is celebrating the diversity of disability and the importance of disability representation for the month of September.

In this episode, Louise Sauvage (Former wheelchair racer, Australian Paralympic Wheelchair Racing Gold Medalist and now the coach for up-and-coming wheelchair para-athletes and Australian Paralympic gold medalist Madison de Rozario), talks about growing up in Perth, her career as a Paralympian and the importance of universal accessible design and disability representation.

Information about what we have discussed in this episode:

Paralympics Australia: https://www.paralympic.org.au/
Louise Sauvage - Paralympics Australia: https://www.paralympic.org.au/louise-sauvage-oam/
Madison de Rozario - Paralympics Australia: https://www.paralympic.org.au/athlete/madison-de-rozario/
Disability Sports Australia: https://www.sports.org.au/sports

Credits
This episode has been written, produced and edited by Susan Wood with assistance from Michelle Kearney and Nathan Mikhael. Logo art by Cobie Ann Moore.

Spinal Cord Injuries Australia is a for-purpose organisation that supports people with a spinal cord injury and other neurological conditions. For more information about our supports and services visit scia.org.au.

We want to hear from you!

Whether you're a person with a disability, or an able-bodied ally, fill in our very quick survey and tell us what you thought about this episode!

Spinal Cord Injuries Australia is a for-purpose organisation that supports people with a spinal cord injury and other neurological conditions. For more information about our supports and services, visit our Resource Hub at https://scia.org.au/resource-hub/.

Send a text

From what accessible means and even down to how thick carpet is, on this episode Susan Wood, Liberty Smith and Hayley Dean come on Have The Nerve to have a chat about what we're learnt since working at Spinal Cord Injuries Australia and how nothing compares to working alongside people with disabilities, or others who have a similar disability to open up your eyes to the disabled experience, or learn life lessons - whether you have a disability or not. 

Credits
This episode has been written, produced and edited by Susan Wood. Logo art by Cobie Ann Moore.

Spinal Cord Injuries Australia is a for-purpose organisation that supports people with a spinal cord injury and other neurological conditions. For more information about our supports and services, visit our Resource Hub at https://scia.org.au/resource-hub/.

Send a text

When you think about first milestones in your life what do you think about?
First day of school?
First kiss?
First boyfriend or girlfriend?

....What about the first time you realised your injury is permanent? Or the first time you fell out of your wheelchair?

It's not often we get to talk about what it's like to experience, or sometimes re-experience, things for the first time following a spinal cord injury.

Chloe and Jacob talk with Susan talk about the confronting realisation of acquiring a spinal cord injury and the path of first time experiences that have shaped the way they see their disability now.

Information about what we have discussed in this episode:

Living with Paralysis - https://scia.org.au/living-with-paralysis/
Continence Care - https://scia.org.au/continence-care/
Sexuality and Fertility - https://scia.org.au/health-and-wellbeing/sexuality-and-fertility/
Accessibility - https://scia.org.au/accessibility/

Credits
This episode has been written, produced and edited by Susan Wood with assistance from Michelle Kearney and Nathan Mikhael. Logo art by Cobie Ann Moore.

Spinal Cord Injuries Australia is a for-purpose organisation that supports people with a spinal cord injury and other neurological conditions. For more information about our supports and services visit scia.org.au.

We want to hear from you!

Whether you're a person with a disability, or an able-bodied ally, fill in our very quick survey and tell us what you thought about this episode!

Spinal Cord Injuries Australia is a for-purpose organisation that supports people with a spinal cord injury and other neurological conditions. For more information about our supports and services, visit our Resource Hub at https://scia.org.au/resource-hub/.

Send a text

Navigating support funding for older Australians with a disability can be difficult. What happens if you are aged 65 and over and acquire a disability?

For this episode we’re going to be discussing supports for older Australians with a disability from the NDIS to My Aged Care Funding.

You'll hear lived experiences from Susan who sustained a brain injury in 2005 and was able to get onto the NDIS before she turned 65 and Di, who is the wife and primary carer of her husband, Gary who sustained a spinal cord injury in 2019 at the age of 70. They discuss and compare their experiences alongside Megan, who is a systemic advocate from SCIA's Policy and Advocacy team.

All personal opinions expressed in this episode are their own and are not a reflection of SCIA.

Information about what we have discussed in this episode:

National Disability Insurance Scheme: https://www.ndis.gov.au/

My Aged Care, Transitional Care and Home Care Packages: https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/

Legislative and Regulatory Framework - United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilties: https://www.alrc.gov.au/publication/equality-capacity-and-disability-in-commonwealth-laws-ip-44/equality-capacity-and-disability-in-commonwealth-laws/legislative-and-regulatory-framework/

2021-2022 NSW Intergenerational Report: https://www.treasury.nsw.gov.au/nsw-economy/2021-22-nsw-intergenerational-report

Comparing aged care and NDIS support: A funding analysis (downloadable PDF):  https://lasa.asn.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/LASA0873_Comp-Aged-Care-and-NDIS-Support_public.pdf

NDIS and aged care - LASA calls for better model of care for older Australians: https://lasa.asn.au/news/ndis-vs-agedcare/

SCIA Policy and Advocacy - Policy Work, Submissions and Alliances: https://scia.org.au/policy-work-submissions-and-alliances/

Assistive technology for All Campaign: https://assistivetechforall.org.au/

Credits
This episode has been written, produced and edited by Susan Wood with writing assistance from Megan Bingham and production assistance from Michelle Kearney and Nathan Mikhael. Logo art by Cobie Ann Moore.

Spinal Cord Injuries Australia is a for-purpose organisation that supports people with a spinal cord injury and other neurological conditions. For more information about our supports and services visit scia.org.au.

We want to hear from you!

Whether you're a person with a disability, or an able-bodied ally, fill in our very quick survey and tell us what you thought about this

Spinal Cord Injuries Australia is a for-purpose organisation that supports people with a spinal cord injury and other neurological conditions. For more information about our supports and services, visit our Resource Hub at https://scia.org.au/resource-hub/.

Send a text

What is like to live with pain that never stops? What is out there for pain management?

CONTENT WARNING: This episode discusses suicidal ideation and addiction. Listener discretion is advised. If you are struggling with similar feelings we encourage you to please call the 24 hour crisis support service Lifeline on 13 11 14.

For this episode, Susan talks to Cannadoc cofounders Dr David Feng and Kevin Brabazon about how medicinal cannabis is changing the lives of people with spinal cord injury and other neurological conditions when it comes to pain management.

She also speaks with Dean Tabone who sustained a spinal cord injury 33 years ago and had been struggling with pain management for the past 16 years.

All personal opinions expressed in this episode are their own and are not a reflection of SCIA.

Information about what we have discussed in this episode:

Cannadoc: https://cannadoc.com.au/

Pain management: https://scia.org.au/pain-management/

Credits
This episode has been written, produced and edited by Susan Wood with assistance from Michelle Kearney and Nathan Mikhael. Logo art by Cobie Ann Moore.

Spinal Cord Injuries Australia is a for-purpose organisation that supports people with a spinal cord injury and other neurological conditions. For more information about our supports and services visit scia.org.au.

We want to hear from you!

Whether you're a person with a disability, or an able-bodied ally, fill in our very quick survey and tell us what you thought about this episode!

Spinal Cord Injuries Australia is a for-purpose organisation that supports people with a spinal cord injury and other neurological conditions. For more information about our supports and services, visit our Resource Hub at https://scia.org.au/resource-hub/.

Send a text

Did you know that acquiring a spinal cord injury can affect more than somebody's legs?

Spinal cord injury (SCI) can significantly affect the bowel. Edwina Spooner from Coloplast explains how an SCI can affect the bowel, surgical and non-surgical options, considerations for intimacy and maintaining your independence.

Information about what we have discussed in this episode:
SCIA Continence Care - https://scia.org.au/continence-care/
Coloplast continence information - https://www.coloplast.com.au/
Coloplast Peristeen - https://products.coloplast.com.au/coloplast/continence-care/peristeen/peristeen-tai/peristeen-tai-balloon-catheter/peristeen-transanal-irrigation-system/

Credits
This episode has been written, produced and edited by Susan Wood with assistance from Michelle Kearney and Nathan Mikhael. Logo art by Cobie Ann Moore.

Spinal Cord Injuries Australia is a for-purpose organisation that supports people with a spinal cord injury and other neurological conditions. For more information about our supports and services, visit our Resource Hub at https://scia.org.au/resource-hub/.