Hello! 

I’m Peta, a thirty-something woman, who has Cerebral Palsy. I am a disability advocate.

I have teamed up with CareAbout, which means I have the honour and privilege of being able to write to you once a month. I’ll be sharing my own stories or stories of others, and answering any questions you may have about the NDIS and living with a disability.

It is lovely to meet you. 

There are only two things you need to know about me: 

1. To me being disabled is normal. I was born with a disability. I don’t know what it is like not to have a disability.  

and

2. I am a pretty determined person.

I am determined to help people with disabilities feel seen, better understood and empowered to live their life on their terms. While also being equally determined to help non-disabled people better understand what it is like to live with a disability. 

I want to help make change. 

I think we all know we have a long way to go before there is true acceptance and equality of people with disabilities. 

Personally, I actively choose to ignore the negative connotations others have towards my disability and the state of being disabled. It isn’t always easy, but it is how I get through.

My podcast

I have a podcast, The I Can’t Stand Podcast. 

On the podcast, I answer questions from my audience on what it is like to live with a disability. There have been the expected questions, like “What is wrong with you?” or “Do you have friends?”

*Sigh

But now over 60 episodes including thirteen guests, I think we are starting to get somewhere. As someone whose job it is to answer questions, I have thought a lot about what I wish people would ask me and other disabled people.

Here are my top FIVE questions I wish people would ask people with a disability:

1. What do you wish people better understood about disability? 
2. How can I be an ally to the disabled community? 
3. How should non-disabled people support both those with visible and invisible disabilities? 
4. What barriers do you face as a disabled person?
5. Where are the disabled people? Why am I not seeing disabled people in my workplace, in the community or on television? 

I know this is a very short list, but I do believe if every person asked me these five questions, the world would be that little bit kinder. 

What questions do you wish people would ask you? Email [email protected] and let me know what you think. I’d love to hear from you. 

Until next time, 

Peta x