Stories

While a lot of research is conducted in the field of disability using statistics and other medicalised forms of data, we rarely hear about the experiences of people who live with disability. The below participants have shared their stories as part of the 1000 Voices project.


	The Recycled/Restored ManPersonal History of Ken Aitken .... I, Ken Aitken had a very severe brain injury in December 1995 while surfing at Peregian Beach in Queensland, Australia I fell off a boogie-board in metre of water... The_Rose_Water_Story.pdf Read more
	Gift of LifeWhen I understood the meaning of life. Hi I am a young girl living in Australia in the suburbs of sydney. I have 1 brother and 1 sister who are my best friends aswell. I am the youngest and most...Read more
	My StoryHi! My name is Mike and the first breath I took was delayed by 18 minutes on the 16th October 1959. I had a very long delivery as my mother was left in labour for too long and when the Doctor was...Read more
	Jason Kehl life story interview (Q150)Jason Kehl lives in Toowoomba Queensland Australia. He has won numerous awards for community service and dedication. Jason lived on a rural farm growing up and moved to Toowoomba with his family to...Read more
	STROKE: As it happenedOn the 17th of September, Friday, I was 20 years old and developing my independence; I had moved out of home with my boyfriend, I had a job at a pharmacy and I was experiencing what it was like to...Read more
	Emma Gaffy life story interview (Q150)Emma is a 25 year old psychology student. A severe brain haemorrhage on Christmas Eve 2003 began her journey of hospitals, rehabilitation wards, International travel and a deep sense of support...Read more
	Giving Autism a VoiceBorn in 1962, I was an unusually quiet baby. I began to have seizures that shut down my respiratory system at around 10 months old, and was eventually tested and diagnosed with frontal and left...Read more
	Emma Bennison Life Story Interview (Q150 )Emma Bennison has been completely blind since birth. She has a Bachelor Degree in music where she became a classically trained singer, and is now Acting Director of Access Arts Inc. Emma...Read more
	My Greatest AchievementI have been seizure-free and off medication for more than a decade! I have epilepsy. I expect that I always will. I had my first seizure when I was a baby - a febrile convulsion, linked to a high...Read more
	Life's SimpleHi and thank you for listening to me. This short story is about me, my life, my family and my challenges. I’m a father in my mid 20’s with two kids and a third one on the way. ...Read more
	Life Story Interview with Jeffrey Finlay (Q150) Jeffrey Finlay is an Indigenous artist living in North Queensland. He currently lives with three others in a group home with the assistance of carers. Jeffrey acquired a disability at the age of...Read more
	With Work in MindHi, my name is Jaye Van Kasteren and I’m 29 years old, born in August 1980. This story is about me, my life and the challenges and opportunities I have faced. I was born with...Read more
	Misdiagnosed I've actually have a lot of stories to tell that will make this web page too long. So I'll be telling them one by one. My name is Michelle. I'm 23 with autism and here is one of those stories:...Read more
	My LifeBy Stephen MacDonald My disabilty at the time when I was born, my mum had very high blood pressure & toxemia & I was born by (emergency caesarian) due to cardiac distress which would explain...Read more
	Life Story Interview with Mick Meehan (Q150)Mick Meehan is a 48 year old father of two. He acquired multiple disabilities (Psychological and Physical) after exposure to chemicals while serving as an Aircraft Engineer in the Royal Australian... Qld RSL News Magazine Article November 2008 Read more
	Wheely, Wheely and TrulyWe all possess the most powerful and the most complex tool known to man or should I say, “our fellow personages”. Nothing in the known universe even comes close! It can never be... wheelywheely2_wheelywheely.qxd_.pdf Read more
	Wild Animals in SkipsIt is well known that a wild moment in the history of art occurred in 1905 when a group of adventurous artists held an exhibition in Paris. Their exhibition is remembered because it marks a...Read more
	My photos are Rubbish I became increasingly disturbed by the growing pile of returned photographs that had completed their trips to club, state, national, and international exhibitions. Apart from a few that I had on my...Read more
	What I have lost has guided me to what I have and will gain!!!My name is Shona, I am 30 years old and 5 years ago I had a car accident and am now a bilateral amputee. My left leg is above knee high and my right leg is below knee. I am now in a...Read more
	updateHi, i have progressed with my academic education and i am now enrolled to study a Masters of Urban and Regional Planning through Curtin University by distance education. I hope to continue to do a...Read more
	The Power of Politics My name is Todd Winther, I am 26 years old, and live on the Sunshine Coast. I live my life more or less as if I’m not disabled. It is easier said than done given the fact that I am confined to...Read more
	A unique journeyMy name is Sara. I am 22 and have just completed a Bachelor of Arts degree studying with Griffith University though Open Universities Australia. I am vision and hearing impaired and also...Read more
	Diagnostic overlap between ABI and Asperger's syndrome A HELPFUL DIAGNOSTIC OVERLAP? There is a significant diagnostic overlap between ‘mild’ acquired brain injuries and Asperger’s syndrome, an autism spectrum...Read more
	Rex NewsomeWell, I was born a long time ago when no-one knew what cerebral palsy really was and local doctors (Townsville, Qld) would scratch their head at my strange way of walking and talking, and once, when...Read more
	Not so much brain damaged as brain healingOn 4th March 2001 I was admitted to Hospital in Canberra having been found collapsed in my car in a coma. I had just had an intra-ventricular haemorrhage (I think I've heard it called a haemorrhagic... ricks article Change happens.pdf shuffle the cards.pdf Read more
	My StoryMy name is Korey, and I have cerebral palsy, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, depression and anxiety. I live in the Blue Mountains, NSW, with my partner. I am currently studying natural science...Read more
	30th Birthday speech I will try to put words to my life. So much to say... I do want to thank Mum and Dad and Jenny for your love support and affection. Most of all thank you for believing in me. Pat and Di...Read more