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Matt Toms on Tourette Syndrome, Autism, ADHD and the Exhaustion of Masking What happens when your disability is invisible, your capacity changes from one day to the next, and the people around you assume you’re simply being rude, lazy or difficult? Matt Toms joins Dylan Alcott and Angus O’Loughlin on ListenABLE for an open conversation about living with Tourette syndrome, autism and ADHD, and what it has taken for him to finally stop hiding his disability. For most of Matt’s life, masking helped him fit in. He learnt to suppress his Tourette’s tics and hide what was happening internally so he could socialise, work, compete in surf lifesaving and appear as though everything was fine. But masking came at a cost. Matt explains how suppressing his tics could leave him exhausted, overwhelmed and experiencing more explosive episodes once he returned to the safety of home. He describes the difficult reality of having an invisible disability where, on one day, he might be capable of physical work or competing in sport, while on another he can struggle to get himself a glass of water. From surf lifesaving and neurodivergence to employment, support workers, dating, family and learning to unmask, this episode is a reminder that disability doesn’t always look the way people expect it to. Follow & Connect Matt Toms – GuestMatt joins ListenABLE to share his lived experience with Tourette syndrome, autism and ADHD, including masking, employment, relationships, support and learning to embrace his disability.Matt’s social link to be added once confirmed. Dylan Alcott – HostInstagram: @dylanalcott Angus O’Loughlin – HostInstagram: @angus_oloughlin ListenABLE PodcastInstagram: @listenable_podcastListen on Apple Podcasts: ListenABLE on Apple Podcasts ListenABLE is recorded and produced in partnership with SESSION in PROGRESS, Melbourne’s video podcast studio and production team. Website: SESSION in PROGRESSInstagram: @session.in.progress Production In this episode • Living with Tourette syndrome, autism and ADHD• What Tourette’s tics can actually look like• Why tics can sometimes be mistaken for rude or inappropriate behaviour• Autism and Tourette syndrome masking• The physical and emotional exhaustion caused by suppressing tics• Invisible disability and fluctuating capacity• Spoon theory and managing limited energy• Disability, burnout and independence• Accessing support workers and the NDIS• The impact of disability on partners and family• Autism and sensory overload in construction and trades• Disability inclusion in the workplace• Dating and relationships with Tourette syndrome• Learning to disclose an invisible disability• Becoming comfortable and proud identifying as disabled• Why disability awareness and representation matter Tourette syndrome, Tourette’s syndrome, Tourette’s tics, autism, autism in adults, ADHD, autism and ADHD, autism and Tourette syndrome, neurodivergence, neurodivergent adults, invisible disability, hidden disability, disability masking, autistic masking, suppressing tics, disability burnout, autistic burnout, sensory overload, spoon theory, fluctuating capacity, NDIS, disability support workers, disability employment, autism in the workplace, disability in construction, dating with disability, relationships and disability, disability acceptance, disability advocacy.

Content warning At 16, Matt Caruana attempted to take his own life. He survived, acquiring a complete spinal cord injury and becoming a wheelchair user. While recovering in hospital, Matt was consumed by the same belief that had followed him for years: that he was worthless. Then, during a train ride with his mum, a complete stranger asked him a confronting question: “What are you going to do about it now?” That moment did not instantly remove Matt’s depression, but it changed the direction of his life. Instead of asking “Why me?”, he began asking “What now?” In this deeply honest conversation with Angus O’Loughlin, Matt shares the reality of surviving a suicide attempt, adjusting to life with a spinal cord injury and slowly rebuilding his identity. He explains why meaningful connection matters, what parents can do when a young person is struggling and how opening up helped transform his relationships with his family and friends. Matt also discusses finding purpose through sharing his story, breaking a Guinness World Record and becoming a competitive para climber. For Matt, strength is no longer about appearance or external validation. It is about contributing to other people and making hope visible. This episode explores suicide prevention, men’s mental health, disability, resilience, spinal cord injury, wheelchair life, para climbing and the power of choosing to move forward one day at a time. Matt’s experience of attempting suicide at 16Acquiring a complete spinal cord injury and becoming a wheelchair userThe belief that he was worthless and why he rejected supportThe stranger whose confronting question changed his directionWhy being present is essential when supporting someoneMatt’s advice for parents of young people experiencing mental health challengesUsing a traffic-light system to begin difficult conversationsHow vulnerability strengthened Matt’s relationshipsRebuilding independence following a spinal cord injuryFinding meaning by contributing to other peopleBreaking a Guinness World Record to “make hope visible”Discovering competitive para climbingWhy Matt hopes to compete at the Brisbane 2032 Paralympic GamesHow Matt defines his worth today This episode contains detailed discussion of suicide, suicidal thoughts and mental ill-health. Please take care while listening. If you or someone you know needs support, call Lifeline on 13 11 14, text 0477 13 11 14, or access its 24/7 online chat. If life is in immediate danger, call 000. Lifeline crisis support You can also contact Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636 or speak with a counsellor online. Beyond Blue support Follow Matt on Instagram: @MattShares.

What would your life look like if you had brushed your teeth for just ten seconds longer? In January 2020, 27-year-old paramedic Emma Mickle made a last-minute decision to join her friends on a hike through New Zealand. On the final day, just ten kilometres from the finish, Emma sat down to remove her wet-weather gear. At that exact moment, a three-metre tree branch fell from approximately 20 metres above and landed directly on her. In this remarkably honest episode of ListenABLE, Emma speaks about learning to live with incomplete paraplegia, chronic nerve pain, impaired bowel and bladder function, invisible disability and the loss of her career as an operational paramedic. Emma’s story is about terrible luck, extraordinary recovery and what she describes as “forced resilience”. Emma discusses: The split-second accident that changed her lifeWaiting three hours for a helicopter rescueBeing diagnosed with incomplete paraplegiaHer partner proposing in intensive careThe moment she discovered she could no longer standBowel and bladder function after a spinal cord injuryLiving with daily chronic nerve painCompleting an Ironman after leaving hospitalLosing her career as an operational paramedicFinding freedom and relief through cyclingLiving with an invisible disabilityWhy strangers react differently when shaking her handThe reality of hiding pain from loved onesHow disability changed her perception of safety and riskHer ambition to compete at the LA 2028 Paralympic Games 00:00 A one-in-20-million accident01:27 The New Zealand hiking trip03:12 Emma’s spinal cord and nerve injuries04:39 Being told to prepare for life in a wheelchair05:42 A hospital proposal Emma cannot remember08:16 Feeling both incredibly unlucky and incredibly lucky09:22 Why Emma cannot remember the accident10:44 How her friends kept her alive14:06 Arriving at spinal rehabilitation15:13 The moment Emma discovered she could not stand17:22 Would Emma undo the accident?18:33 Bowel, bladder and chronic pain21:20 Recovery as a professional athlete22:09 Completing an Ironman after her injury24:17 Why cycling makes Emma feel normal25:42 Road racing and time trials26:11 The dream of LA 202826:46 Losing her career as a paramedic29:45 Living with an invisible disability31:47 How to handle an unexpected handshake33:11 The reality of “forced resilience”34:27 How the accident changed Emma’s perspective35:19 Living with daily pain36:35 The Bowl of Uncomfortable38:24 Vulnerability and a changed perception of risk40:49 The perfect handshake Emma Mickle, Emma Mickle cyclist, Australian para-cyclist, para-cycling Australia, spinal cord injury recovery, incomplete paraplegia, incomplete spinal cord injury, brachial plexus injury, chronic nerve pain, invisible disability, disability awareness, adaptive sport, rehabilitation through sport, Ironman after spinal cord injury, Australian Paralympic cycling, LA 2028 Paralympics, disability podcast Australia, ListenABLE podcast, Dylan Alcott, Angus O’Loughlin. This episode includes discussions of traumatic injury, spinal cord injury, bowel and bladder function, chronic pain, sexual health and personal safety. #ListenABLE #EmmaMickle #ParaCycling #SpinalCordInjury #InvisibleDisability #AdaptiveSport #Paralympics #LA2028 #DisabilityPodcast #ChronicPain

Three buses passed Santiago “Santi” Velasquez because he could not see when to hail them. Instead of accepting that public transport was not designed for him, the blind electrical engineer decided to build a better system. In this episode of ListenABLE, Dylan Alcott and Angus O’Loughlin sit down with Santi to discuss the experience that inspired Halo, an accessibility-first public transport app that alerts drivers when a passenger needs assistance, where they are boarding and where they need to get off. Santi explains how he became one of the relatively few blind electrical engineers in the world, why his parents taught him that “the only thing you cannot do is see”, and how he learned advanced mathematics, coding and engineering through Braille, audio technology and problem-solving. The conversation also explores the risks and opportunities of artificial intelligence for people with disability. Santi argues that AI can be incredibly useful, but only when people with lived experience are included in the data, design and decision-making process. From accessible public transport and guide dog discrimination to Braille literacy, rideshare accountability and the danger of treating people with disability as charity cases, this is a powerful conversation about independence, expectations and designing a world that works better for everyone. As Santi says: “We’re not just charity cases. We have to have high expectations of ourselves because otherwise, who else is going to have them?” In this episode 00:00 “I’ll be damned if I’m going to be a second-class citizen”01:00 Welcome to ListenABLE02:05 Meet Santiago “Santi” Velasquez03:24 Growing up blind in Colombia06:14 Becoming a blind electrical engineer09:12 Learning mathematics, coding and engineering through Braille10:28 The tactile display that lets people feel a screen15:22 Is artificial intelligence actually accessible?20:58 Why blind children still need to learn Braille24:07 High expectations instead of charity25:58 The three buses that inspired Halo28:44 Why disability-led inventions benefit everyone30:20 How passengers with disability become invisible to transport systems31:55 Santi’s global ambition for Halo34:39 How the Halo public transport app works36:25 Who should pay for accessible transport technology?38:14 Creating accountability across transport and rideshare services42:36 Why sharing lived experience matters44:04 The Bowl of Uncomfortable46:10 What people need to know about guide dogs48:07 Santi’s final message Learn more about Santi and Hailo Request Hailo in your city: Download and use Halo if you are travelling on participating services in Victoria. Follow the ListenABLE hosts Dylan Alcott:https://www.instagram.com/dylanalcott/ Angus O’Loughlin:https://www.instagram.com/angus_oloughlin/ ListenABLE:https://www.instagram.com/listenable_podcast/ Production ListenABLE is recorded and produced in partnership with SESSION in PROGRESS, Melbourne’s video podcast studio and production team. SESSION in PROGRESS:https://sessioninprogress.com.au/ Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/session.in.progress/ Subscribe to ListenABLE for honest, funny and educational conversations about disability, accessibility and the experiences that connect us. #Disability #Accessibility #PublicTransport

In 1988, Mark Dorrity went for a run on a 35-degree day in regional New South Wales. He was leading the race when severe heat stroke caused his body to shut down. Mark spent 70 days unconscious in intensive care. He lost most of the muscle in his body, underwent a high-level leg amputation and was given little certainty about what life after hospital could look like. But this is not simply a story about survival. In this episode of ListenABLE, Mark joins Dylan Alcott and Angus O’Loughlin to share how he rebuilt his life from the ground up. From learning to stand again, returning to full-time work and confronting inaccessible public spaces, to retraining his brain through Toastmasters decades later, Mark’s story is a powerful lesson in resilience, neuroplasticity and choosing to keep moving forward. Mark also reflects on how far disability access and inclusion have come in Australia since the late 1980s, why accessible parking matters far more than people realise, and why he refuses to live with regret. What happened when Mark collapsed from severe heat stroke during an eight-kilometre race Waking up in intensive care 70 days later The moment Mark learned his leg had been amputated Rebuilding strength after losing most of his muscle mass Returning to work after a life-changing injury Living with a high-level amputation and why a prosthesis was not sustainable for Mark How disability access and inclusion have changed since the late 1980s The reality behind accessible parking and public spaces Neuroplasticity, Toastmasters and retraining the brain later in life Why resilience is not about avoiding difficulty, but choosing to keep showing up 00:00 The moment Mark’s life changed01:31 A race, extreme heat and collapsing near the finish line04:35 Waking up 70 days later in intensive care07:14 The decision to amputate or let Mark die09:48 Accepting a new reality immediately11:10 Learning how to live again after intensive care13:06 Seeing his story on the front page of the newspaper14:55 Why a wheelchair was not practical for Mark16:39 The first time using a walking frame in public18:11 Where Mark’s resilience came from19:02 What disability access was like in Australia in the late 1980s21:42 How Mark views disability today24:59 Prosthetics, pain and adapting to life without one27:05 Returning to full-time work27:46 Cognitive recovery, speech and Toastmasters30:20 Neuroplasticity and retraining the brain32:08 Seeing his body after amputation33:25 Would Mark warn himself before the race?34:50 Mark’s message on risk, resilience and living fully Mark Dorrity, heat stroke survivor, amputation recovery, high-level amputation, disability podcast Australia, disability inclusion, accessibility Australia, neuroplasticity, resilience story, life after amputation, Dylan Alcott podcast, ListenABLE podcast, disability advocacy, rehabilitation journey, Toastmasters recovery

Spencer West returns to ListenABLE for an honest and powerful conversation about disability, accessibility and what it really means to be seen.Four years after his first appearance on the podcast, Spencer joins Angus O’Loughlin in person to talk about Melbourne’s accessibility, able-bodied assumptions, language around disability, social media advocacy and the moments from his life that people often romanticise from the outside.Spencer opens up about growing up without legs, rejecting prosthetics, climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, feeling excluded from inaccessible queer spaces and learning that he does not always have to share his story just because someone asks.Guest Links: Spencer Westhttps://linktr.ee/spencer2thewesthttps://www.spencer2thewest.com/https://www.instagram.com/spencer2thewest/https://www.tiktok.com/@spencer2thewesthttps://www.youtube.com/user/Spencer2TheWest00:00 Spencer West returns to ListenABLE02:04 Melbourne accessibility and public transport03:28 When accessibility is gatekept04:42 Should people get praise for accessible spaces?05:52 Spencer explains his disability07:43 The assumption about disability people need to drop09:04 Disability language and using the word disabled11:32 Learning to advocate for his own body13:49 The truth about climbing Kilimanjaro16:21 Social media, responsibility and disability advocacy17:17 Feeling more visible than misunderstood17:47 Using humour to educate

Australia’s winter Paralympic star Ben Tudhope joins ListenABLE for one of the most honest and emotionally grounded conversations of the series. From becoming Australia’s youngest ever Winter Paralympian at just 14 years old, to returning home from the 2026 Winter Paralympics with two medals, Ben opens up about pressure, identity, confidence, loneliness, disability, and the mindset that helped him compete on the world stage. In this episode, Ben shares what it actually feels like to perform under Paralympic expectation, why he refuses to let medals define him, and how growing up with cerebral palsy shaped his resilience, humour, and outlook on life. He also speaks candidly about loneliness as an elite athlete, travelling the world away from family, learning to enjoy his own company, and why being “inspiring” is often misunderstood when it comes to disability and Paralymic sport. Whether you love elite sport, mindset conversations, disability advocacy, or simply hearing incredible human stories, this episode is packed with perspective, vulnerability and moments that will stay with you long after listening. Follow Ben: https://www.instagram.com/bentudhope/ Follow Us: https://www.instagram.com/listenable_podcast/ In This Episode - Ben Tudhope’s journey to becoming a Paralympic snowboard medalist - Competing at four Winter Paralympic Games - The pressure of backing up success after Beijing - Why Ben doesn’t define himself by medals - Growing up with cerebral palsy - The role Ben’s parents played in his confidence - Snowboarding, identity and elite athlete mindset - Loneliness and sacrifice in elite sport - The overuse of the word “inspirational” - What people misunderstand about Paralympians - Learning to control the controllables - Confidence, humour and living with disability - Ben’s reflections on success, pressure and happiness About ListenABLE ListenABLE is hosted by Dylan Alcott and Angus O’Loughlin, sharing raw, funny, vulnerable and powerful conversations with people living with disability and the people reshaping how Australia thinks about disability, identity and inclusion. Follow & SubscribeFollow ListenABLE on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube for new episodes every week. #Paralympics #BenTudhope #ListenABLE #Disability #CerebralPalsy #Snowboarding #WinterParalympics #Mindset #MentalHealth #AustralianPodcast #AdaptiveSport #DisabilityAdvocacy #DylanAlcott

What happens when two best mates decide not to let disability stop them from seeing the world? In this episode of ListenABLE, Dylan Alcott and Angus O’Loughlin sit down with Fletcher and Lachie, the duo behind the viral social account “Two Mates One Chair”. After a mountain biking accident left Fletch paraplegic, the pair turned friendship, humour and pure determination into a global adventure that’s inspiring millions online. From piggybacking up 270 slippery stairs in Hong Kong, to navigating inaccessible train stations in Europe, ATV mishaps in Brazil, and discovering the kindness of strangers around the world, this conversation is equal parts hilarious, emotional and eye-opening. The boys open up about: The reality of travelling the world in a wheelchairGoing viral online while backpacking internationallyAccessibility challenges across Europe, Asia and South AmericaFletcher’s life-changing mountain biking accidentFriendship, disability and learning to ask for helpWhy people with disability still deserve adventureThe countries that surprised them most with accessibilityHow social media has changed perceptions around disabilityThe messages from followers that changed everythingWhy saying “yes” has completely transformed their livesThis is one of the funniest and most uplifting ListenABLE episodes yet, while also delivering an important conversation around accessibility, inclusion and the power of friendship. Follow Two Mates One Chair https://www.instagram.com/twomates1chair/ Follow us: https://www.instagram.com/listenable_podcast/ 00:00 Ability Fest & Dylan Alcott Foundation02:40 Meet “Two Mates One Chair”05:50 The first viral video07:14 Accessibility around the world16:14 Fletcher’s mountain bike accident20:40 Learning the art of the piggyback27:00 What happens after the trip ends?29:00 Advice for young people with disability32:00 “My life is 10 times better now”35:50 How people treat disability overseas38:00 Dating, nightlife & travelling together39:40 What’s next for the boys? disability travel stories ,paraplegic travel, wheelchair backpacking ,accessible tourism, spinal cord injury recovery, wheelchair travel vlog, disability awareness podcast, ListenABLE podcast, inclusive travel, viral travel story, Australian travel creators, adaptive lifestyle

What happens when someone refuses to accept the limits placed on them? This week on ListenABLE, Angus O’Loughlin and Dylan Alcott sit down with Brodie Taylor, the first person in Australia to become a qualified wheelchair netball umpire. Diagnosed with transverse myelitis at just seven months old, Brodie has spent his life navigating disability, accessibility and assumptions. But instead of accepting barriers, he found a way to create history in Australian sport. Brodie shares how netball unexpectedly found him, how officiating gave him a new purpose, and why confidence is often the biggest difference-maker for people with disability.He also opens up on wanting a future career in politics, where he hopes to help drive accessibility and meaningful change across Australia. Topics Covered - Becoming Australia’s first wheelchair netball umpire - Living with transverse myelitis - Disability and sport misconceptions - Confidence and self-belief - Why representation matters - Netball strategy and officiating - Accessibility in Australia - Future ambitions in politics Best Quotes “Disability doesn’t mean inability.” “It’s you against the world. If you want it, go get it.” “Once you have confidence in yourself, no one can stop you.” “We can’t change everything overnight, but we can start.” Chapters 00:00 Meet Brodie Taylor 02:01 Making Australian netball history 03:23 Diagnosed at seven months old 06:58 Finding netball and purpose 10:16 Becoming an umpire 13:21 Breaking bias in sport 18:10 Why politics is next 21:43 Confidence and disability 24:49 Advice for the next generation 27:14 Bowl of Uncomfortable Brodie Taylor, wheelchair netball umpire, ListenABLE podcast, Dylan Alcott podcast, disability sport Australia, accessible sport, netball Australia, transverse myelitis, disability advocate Australia

What happens when a single moment changes your life forever? In this powerful episode of ListenABLE, Larissa Camp shares the harrowing story of surviving a domestic violence attack that left her with a partial hand amputation and a completely different path in life. At just 23 years old, Larissa’s relationship turned violent when her partner pulled a shotgun on her during an argument. What followed was a life-threatening fight for survival that changed everything. But this episode is not just about trauma. It’s about identity, healing, motherhood, disability, and discovering purpose after unimaginable adversity. Larissa joins Dylan Alcott and Angus O’Loughlin to speak openly about what it’s like to rebuild a life after violence, how disability reshaped her self-worth, and how she eventually found confidence, independence and a career she never expected. This conversation is raw, honest, and deeply moving. • Larissa Camp’s incredible survival story after a domestic violence shooting • What it’s like waking up to discover a life-changing amputation • The emotional reality of navigating identity after acquiring a disability • Why people with disabilities are more vulnerable to domestic violence • How motherhood helped Larissa rediscover purpose and strength • The journey from trauma to becoming a successful hairstylisT • How forgiveness and resilience can coexist after extreme trauma • What to do if you suspect someone you know is experiencing domestic violence After surviving the shooting, Larissa spent weeks in hospital recovering from severe injuries, including a partial hand amputation she didn’t even realise had happened until days after surgery. The emotional recovery was even harder. She struggled with depression, identity loss, and uncertainty about whether she would ever work again. But years later, a simple moment changed everything. While caring for her young son, Larissa realised she could still braid hair. That small discovery became the foundation for a new career as a hairstylist and helped her rebuild her confidence. Today, Larissa shares her story to help others recognise the warning signs of domestic violence and to remind people living with disability that they still have purpose. Follow Larissa: https://www.instagram.com/ann_ri3/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/larissacamp/ If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, support services are available. In Australia:1800RESPECT – National Domestic Violence Support Line International listeners can search for local domestic violence hotlines or crisis support services in their country. Listenable is a podcast about normalising disability through honest conversations and lived experiences. Hosted by Dylan Alcott and Angus O’Loughlin, the show explores disability, identity, relationships, and the everyday moments that shape how we understand the world. domestic violence survivor story, disability podcast. acquired disability, amputation survivor, domestic violence awareness, disability identity ,trauma recovery stories, Larissa Camp story, Dylan Alcott podcast, Listenable podcast

Filipino-Australian singer-songwriter daine joins Dylan Alcott and Angus O'Loughlin for a conversation that is equal parts funny, raw, and genuinely important. daine lives with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), POTS, and autism and did not know she was disabled until she was 18. By that point she had already been dismissed by multiple neurologists and cardiologists who told her the chronic pain stopping her from climbing the stairs at school was "just anxiety." She is now preparing to drop her debut album and performing at Ability Fest for the second time. This episode covers late diagnosis, medical gaslighting, spoon theory, invisible illness, the suicide statistics for autistic women that daine thinks about every day, and why she believes being deeply, intensely autistic makes her a better songwriter. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, please reach out to Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636. Ability Fest and what it actually means to be inclusivedaine has attended and performed at Ability Fest before and is back on the lineup for 2026. Dylan explains what the festival really is: not a festival for disabled people, but a fully accessible event where everyone can party together. Platforms, pathways, Auslan interpreters, sensory rooms, live captioning, and 100% of proceeds going to the Dylan Alcott Foundation. As Angus puts it, the real point is giving six able-bodied friends the chance to finally share a night out with the one person who could never get through the door before. Get your tickets here: https://megatix.com.au/events/ability-fest-2026 daine is a Filipino-Australian singer, songwriter, and producer living with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, POTS, and autism. She is currently finishing her debut album and performing at Ability Fest 2026. Follow daine: https://www.instagram.com/d4ine/ 00:00 Cold open: doctors, stairs, and the diagnosis nobody saw coming02:39 Ability Fest: what it is, why it matters, and daine returning to the lineup04:24 A month in LA and the debut album07:09 Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome: what it is and why it takes ten years to diagnose09:25 The hosepipe analogy: EDS, POTS, and circulation explained10:38 Growing up without a diagnosis and medical gaslighting12:31 Dynamic disability and passing as non-disabled14:27 Good days vs survival days: spoon theory explained16:52 How disability affects the creative process and studio sessions18:13 Why autism is daine's creative superpower19:54 Getting the autism diagnosis at 18 and what it meant21:08 Social battery, sensory overload, and the right kind of socialising23:12 Navigating the music industry with an invisible disability24:34 What a sustainable career looks like25:04 Autistic suicide risk and why visibility matters27:16 Making shows more accessible as an independent artist29:07 Best gig stories: first LA headline and Laneway 2019 in the rain with Charli XCX31:25 Spicy listener questions disability podcast Australia, ListenABLE podcast, daine musician, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome EDS podcast, autism and chronic illness, invisible disability, dynamic disability, spoon theory chronic illness, POTS dysautonomia, autistic artist Australia, Ability Fest Melbourne 2026, neurodiversity and music, medical gaslighting women, late autism diagnosis, autistic women mental health suicide risk, disability representation music industry, Dylan Alcott Foundation, Filipino-Australian artist autism | Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome | EDS | POTS | invisible disability | dynamic disability | spoon theory | medical gaslighting | late diagnosis | Ability Fest 2026 | neurodiversity | mental health | chronic illness | disability representation | Australian podcast | daine | Dylan Alcott | ListenABLE

In this episode of ListenABLE, Angus sits down with Spencer Connelly for a conversation that is confronting, inspiring and incredibly human. Spencer shares his lived experience after surviving a traumatic fire as a child, spending months in hospital, and learning to navigate the world with visible scars and amputations. He reflects on memory, trauma, recovery, self-image, the complexity of forgiveness, and why he now sees his scars as signs of strength rather than weakness. The conversation also explores disability identity, facial difference, confidence in public, representation in film, and Spencer’s growing dream of building a career in acting. That dream has already taken shape, with Spencer landing a speaking role in Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, and he has publicly credited the KIDS Foundation with helping build his confidence after his injuries. If this episode resonates, share it with someone who needs to hear a story of resilience, perspective and hope. Key Topics: surviving severe childhood burns trauma and memory hospital recovery and rehabilitation living with facial difference disability identity scars and self-acceptance therapy and healing public perception and staring confidence and resilience acting, representation and Furiosa The Story: 00:00 Childhood trauma and the memory that stayed 01:00 Spencer’s story and entering the disability community 05:45 Living with disability and visible difference 07:20 Recovery, surgeries and life after hospital 11:10 Returning to school after trauma 14:50 The truth about what happened 17:40 Differently abled, disability and identity 19:00 Staring, confidence and moving through the world 20:40 Looking in the mirror after trauma 23:15 Forgiveness, healing and moving forward 27:20 Acting dreams and losing one career path 28:20 Meeting Sean Millis and working on Furiosa 35:30 Facial difference and representation in film 37:50 Halloween, scars and public perception 40:10 The bowl of uncomfortable 44:25 Life from here and what’s next

When Joshua Ruff’s heart stopped for three minutes, everything changed. Living with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) since childhood, Joshua had already navigated a lifetime of disability, adaptation, and resilience. But in 2020, a sudden cardiac arrest during the early days of COVID forced him into a profound reckoning with mortality, fear, and what actually matters. Unable to speak and communicating only through his eyes, Joshua was told he might never return home. Instead, that moment became the catalyst for a new way of living. One centred on human connection, creative purpose, and letting go of fear. In this powerful conversation, Joshua shares how surviving cardiac arrest reshaped his outlook on life, relationships, and ambition. He opens up about growing up with DMD, the emotional toll of teenage years, and the quiet pressure to always appear positive as a wheelchair user. We explore how gardening became both therapy and vocation, leading to the creation of Henle Gardens, a lavender farm producing oil, products, and community experiences. This episode is about disability, yes. But more than that, it is about meaning, independence, love, and choosing to live fully without apology. Key Topics Covered Surviving a cardiac arrest and communicating only through eye movement Living with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and challenging early life expectancy narratives Letting go of fear after facing death Gardening as purpose, therapy, and business Building an accessible lavender farm and producing lavender oil Independence, support systems, and redefining success Why people with disability are elite problem solvers Relationships, self-worth, and rejecting the idea of being a burden Positivity, grief, and the danger of masking emotions Notable Moments “The most important thing is human connection. Everything else doesn’t matter.” “My heart stopped for three minutes, and somehow that freed me.” “I didn’t believe I deserved a relationship. That belief almost cost me one.” “People with disability are the best problem solvers because life never gives us the easy path.” “Independence for me is choice, not doing everything alone.” About Joshua Ruff Joshua Ruff is a gardener, lavender producer, and founder of Henle Gardens in regional Victoria. Living with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, Joshua has transformed personal adversity into creative expression, community connection, and entrepreneurship. After surviving cardiac arrest in 2020, he committed to building a life driven by purpose rather than fear. Today, his lavender farm produces oil, dried lavender products, and hosts garden visits, festivals, and community groups, proving that accessibility and beauty are not mutually exclusive.

Colin Judge was born with one arm and no legs, and today he is a Paralympic table tennis player, speaker, and analyst living in Dublin. In this episode of ListenABLE, Colin opens up about dating with a disability, rejection, and why you do not need to prove your worth to the wrong people. He shares the moment a short video about dating stopped the scroll online, and how learning to value the people who choose you changed the way he sees relationships and confidence. Colin also takes us through his journey to the Paralympics, the hidden grind of elite sport, and what people do not see behind the scenes of Paralympic competition. From being excluded as a teenager, to finding his sport, to navigating reclassification and identity, this conversation explores resilience, adaptability, and self-belief in a way that goes far beyond disability. We also talk about fear of rejection, finding your voice on social media, taking initiative when it feels uncomfortable, and why accessibility is often more about mindset than infrastructure. This is a powerful, honest conversation about confidence, self-worth, and becoming more than the labels placed on you. Follow Colin Judge on Instagram: @colinjudge100

What happens when you finally get the diagnosis that explains your whole life… and what doesn’t it change at all? In this powerful episode of ListenABLE, Angus sits down with disability advocate and podcaster Kelly Berger, who shares her journey living with an ultra-rare form of congenital muscular dystrophy, Collagen 6. After years of misdiagnosis, Kelly received her genetic confirmation as an adult, a moment that brought clarity, community and a new sense of direction, without changing who she fundamentally is. Kelly speaks candidly about the emotional weight of diagnosis, navigating healthcare systems, building community, and what real accessibility actually looks like in daily life. From the realities of infrastructure in the US to the gaps between performative inclusion and genuine integration, this conversation goes well beyond awareness and into what meaningful change requires. We also dive into Kelly’s podcast 'Wheel Talk', her advocacy work, and how she’s helping reshape how disability, rare disease and identity are spoken about in public spaces. This is a conversation about resilience, identity, leadership and how visibility changes everything. Living with Collagen 6 congenital muscular dystrophy The emotional impact of finally receiving a genetic diagnosis Rare disease advocacy and disability representation Accessibility in infrastructure and public spaces Navigating healthcare systems and misdiagnosis Disability identity and pride Building community with and without disability Language, inclusion and allyship Performative vs meaningful disability representation Creating podcasts within the disability community Why visibility matters Kelly Berger is a disability advocate, podcaster and rare disease community leader living with Collagen 6 congenital muscular dystrophy. She is the co-host of Wheel Talk, a podcast exploring disability, identity and lived experience through honest, accessible conversations. Kelly works actively in advocacy, accessibility awareness and rare disease representation. ListenABLE is a podcast created to amplify disability voices, challenge stereotypes and explore what inclusion actually looks like in practice. Hosted by Angus O’Loughlin alongside Dylan Alcott, the show brings real stories, lived experience and meaningful conversations into the mainstream. Podcast: Wheel Talk with Kelly and Averyhttps://www.instagram.com/thewheeltalkpodcast/