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Our real stories

This is where we share stories through written word, art pieces, videos and podcasts.

Are you a woman, girl, feminine-identifying or non-binary person with disability that lives in Australia and likes to write, create, or make videos or podcasts? You are invited to be part of our storytelling community. Join us in experiencing the power of telling and sharing your story.

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Stories

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Waking up with a Disability

Content warnings: medical negligence, ableism, depicts graphic detail of acquired traumatic injury.

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Born with a Broken Heart

Content warning: this posts includes references to extreme medical situations and dying

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Slightly Awkward Parenting – I’ve got this!

Being a slightly awkward human and a disabled parent are integral and wonderful parts of who I am.

Read story
Disability Employment Protest

Maria Scharnke talks about her experience of education and employment and what needs to change now.

Read story
My Journey of Education and Volunteering

A story about life-long learning, volunteering and leadership.

Read story
Loud and Proud

A story about Mary-Anne's experience of advocating for herself as a person with disability.

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Visually impaired but will never lose sight of what’s important.

A story about navigating life with vision impairment and not holding back.

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Empowering for Life

Kerryn Burgoyne

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Julie's Story

A story about navigating, sex, relationships and reproductive health as a woman with disability.

Read story
Conversations on COVID – Challenging Ableist Thinking Through Disability Leadership

A story about being immunocompromised during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Read story
Incontinence: Two Views

A conversation between two women about incontinence.

Read story
If We Keep Babies Alive We Must Give Them A Life Worth Living

A story about child institutionalisation.

Read story
I Worked In A Workshop

A story about harassment in the workplace.

Read story
Energy is a Life Force

A short story about energy.

Read story
Beauty Quests: A Double Disservice Beguiled, Beseeched And Bombarded – Challenging The Concept Of Beauty

A piece about the disservice of beauty standards.

Read story
Anger as a Liberating Strength – 'Please Don’t Do That'

A poem about women with disability and sexuality.

Read story
A Place to be Me

A poem about having a place to be yourself.

Read story
Why Can’t They Hear Me

A poem about depression.

Read story
Where There is Life

A poem about not giving up.

Read story
What Do You See Nurses?

A poem from the perspective of the patient.

Read story
Wet Lips

A poem about the first sip of beer.

Read story
The Midnight Quiet

A poem about the calm of the night.

Read story
The Beam

A poem about ability!

Read story
Sharp As A Tack

A poem about the importance of not underestimating women with disability.

Read story
Saddened Explosion

A poem about accepting disability.

Read story
Perfect Dreaming

A poem about dreaming.

Read story
My Life

A poem about living with epilepsy.

Read story
I Remember

Memories of being unsafe.

Read story
I Don’t Want To Play

A poem about living with chronic illness and disability.

Read story
Dream On

A poem about romance and disability.

Read story
Bargains

A poem about the trials of working in retail.

Read story
Bad Day

A poem from a wheelchair user about bad days.

Read story
A poem

A poem about the need for action and support.

Read story
Jean Madden from Street Swags – Young Australian of the Year and a Wheelchair User

A candid story of trusty wheels and a pink silk dress. Copyright 2011.

Read story
Wine, Bed and Roses

An article about the need for person-centred approaches to disability care. Copyright 1998.

Read story
Underlying Expectations: Personal experience of being a non-English Speaking Background woman with a disability

A story about being a woman with disability from a non-English speaking background. Copyright 2000.

Read story
To Trachey or Not to Trachey? That is the Question

A piece about the process involved in making medical decisions. Copyright 1999.

Read story
Perfect in My Imperfection

A short piece about accepting your own body and self. Copyright 2005.

Read story
My CVA – Stroke

A short story about how life changes with disability. Copyright 2004.

Read story
Family Picnic

A story about a family picnic. Copyright 2008.

Read story
Disability and Sexuality

An article about disability, sexuality and relationships. Copyright 2003.

Read story
Them

A powerful poem by the 13 year old disability blogger and activisit, Ruthie Hayward.

Read story
Cats, Pokémon, Feminism and Disability: An Unconventional Trajectory

A poem about growing up Autistic.

Read story
Could identifying the flags help kerb domestic violence

A story about recognising the red flags of the violent relationship.

Read story
The waiting room and Hep C

Tabitha talks about her expiences as an Aboriginal woman in the criminal justice system.

Read story
In the Meantime

Bethany talks about her experience of gradually loosing her vision.

Read story
Why I stopped Raising my Hand

A story about growing up as a girl with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

Read story
Giving a Voice to Autistic Migrant Women

Helen talks about her life as a migrant Autistic woman.

Read story
Taking Leadership and Rediscovering My Body and Boundaries

Sadaf talks about rediscovering herself, her body and its boundaries after experiencing trauma.

Read story
Disability Discrimination in the Workplace

Cheryl discusses her experiences of discrimination in the workplace.

Read story
My Journey to Leadership

Anj tells her story about becoming a leader.

Read story
The COVID-19 Pandemic and Technology

Helen talks about her experience in the COVID-19 pandemic and the importance of technology.

Read story
COVID-19 Contingency Planning: Everything Actually Worked!

Ricky's story is about how they planned for disasters and crises like COVID-19 and how you can too.

Read story
Is

Is tells their story of growing up with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Read story
Elizabeth's Story

Elizabeth talks about her experiences as a Paralympian and advocate for people with disability.

Read story
Hannah's Story

Hannah shares her experiences as a single mother with disability.

Read story
Chanelle's Story

Chanelle shares her story of how she has overcome discrimination.

Read story
Katrina's Story

Katrina shares her experiences as a woman with disability in education and leadership.

Read story
Liesl's Story

Liesl shares her experiences as a wheelchair basketball player, sailor and politician.

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Kiz's Story

Kiz shares their story as a non binary person with mental illness.

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Margherita's Story

Margherita shares her experiences as a short statured, Italian, lesbian woman.

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Mia's Story

Mia talks about her experiences navigating relationships, healthcare, housing and more.

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Jay's Story

Jay talks about their experiences as a non-binary person with mental illness.

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Emily's Story

Emily shares her experiences as a cheerleader and filmmaker.

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Deb's Story

Deb tells her story of how she left a violent relationship.

Read story
Jess' Story

Jess shares her experiences as a survivor of violence.

Read story
Judy's Story

Judy shares her experiences as a leader and advocate, including a trip to the United Nations.

Read story
Kalena's Story

Kalena talks about visiting the United Nations and working with Speak Out Association of Tasmania.

Read story
Monique's Story

Monique shares her experiences as a mentor and contributor to the Sunny app.

Read story
Talie's Story

Talie shares her experiences as a survivor of violence.

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Danielle's Story

Danielle shares her experiences as a para dancer.

Read story
Akii's Story

Akii shares their experiences as a womxn of colour with disability who has experienced violence.

Read story
What I've Learned

A poem about Erika's experiences of the mental health system.

Read story
Holly's Story

A story about navigating through an abusive relationship and coming out the other side.

Read story
Leanne's Story

Leanne talks about her experiences with the child protection system as a woman with disability.

Read story
As a Disabled Woman, My Abortion Wasn't Questioned, but My Pregnancy Was

Nicole Lee talks about the stereotypes and discrimination women with disability face as parents.

Read story
Life is Not a Fairytale

Tess talks about their life as an Autistic, Aboriginal person with disability in rural Tasmania.

Read story
Women With Disability Can Be Sexy Too!

Deanna talks about exploring fitness and sexuality with Cerebal Palsy.

Read story
Me Too

A poem about Erika's experiences of violence and abuse.

Read story
Death From Exposure

A poem about expreriences of violence and depression.

Read story
Breaking the Stigma Around Mental Illness

Jenny talks about making a difference through disability advocacy.

Read story
Self Managing my NDIS Package

Heathers reflections on the NDIS as a 65-year-old woman with cerebral palsy.

Read story
My Story of Independence

Hanna's story of moving out of home and navigating life independently.

Read story
Walking to the Stars

A story about Donna's dream to walk.

Read story
Rewriting The Sick Story: My Transition From a Lump of Sickness to a Health Boss

Charlie's story about navigating the health system to find answers.

Read story
Bernadette's Story

Illustration of Bernadettte's experiences in healthcare.

Read story
My Artist Life

Karen's story of her life as an artist.

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The Path To Self-Advocacy

Jane's story about how she learned to speak up and advocate for herself.

Read story
Cheryl's Story

Cheryl's story as an Aboriginal woman with disability.

Read story
My Paralympic Journey

Lyn's story about becoming a champ in the swimming pool.

Read story
Power in the Country

Judith's experiences of advocating for women with disability in rural Queensland.

Read story
Speaking Up For Yourself

A story about the importance of speaking up for your rights.

Read story
My Musical Self

A short story by Helen about her passion for music.

Read story
Slightly Awkward Parenting – I’ve got this!

Being a slightly awkward human and a disabled parent are integral and wonderful parts of who I am.

Read story
Disability Employment Protest

Maria Scharnke talks about her experience of education and employment and what needs to change now.

Read story
My Journey of Education and Volunteering

A story about life-long learning, volunteering and leadership.

Read story
Loud and Proud

A story about Mary-Anne's experience of advocating for herself as a person with disability.

Read story
Visually impaired but will never lose sight of what’s important.

A story about navigating life with vision impairment and not holding back.

Read story
Empowering for Life

Kerryn Burgoyne

Read story
Conversations on COVID – Challenging Ableist Thinking Through Disability Leadership

A story about being immunocompromised during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Read story
I Worked In A Workshop

A story about harassment in the workplace.

Read story
Energy is a Life Force

A short story about energy.

Read story
Where There is Life

A poem about not giving up.

Read story
Wet Lips

A poem about the first sip of beer.

Read story
The Beam

A poem about ability!

Read story
Sharp As A Tack

A poem about the importance of not underestimating women with disability.

Read story
I Don’t Want To Play

A poem about living with chronic illness and disability.

Read story
Bargains

A poem about the trials of working in retail.

Read story
Jean Madden from Street Swags – Young Australian of the Year and a Wheelchair User

A candid story of trusty wheels and a pink silk dress. Copyright 2011.

Read story
Underlying Expectations: Personal experience of being a non-English Speaking Background woman with a disability

A story about being a woman with disability from a non-English speaking background. Copyright 2000.

Read story
My CVA – Stroke

A short story about how life changes with disability. Copyright 2004.

Read story
Family Picnic

A story about a family picnic. Copyright 2008.

Read story
Them

A powerful poem by the 13 year old disability blogger and activisit, Ruthie Hayward.

Read story
Cats, Pokémon, Feminism and Disability: An Unconventional Trajectory

A poem about growing up Autistic.

Read story
The waiting room and Hep C

Tabitha talks about her expiences as an Aboriginal woman in the criminal justice system.

Read story
In the Meantime

Bethany talks about her experience of gradually loosing her vision.

Read story
Why I stopped Raising my Hand

A story about growing up as a girl with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

Read story
Giving a Voice to Autistic Migrant Women

Helen talks about her life as a migrant Autistic woman.

Read story
Taking Leadership and Rediscovering My Body and Boundaries

Sadaf talks about rediscovering herself, her body and its boundaries after experiencing trauma.

Read story
Disability Discrimination in the Workplace

Cheryl discusses her experiences of discrimination in the workplace.

Read story
My Journey to Leadership

Anj tells her story about becoming a leader.

Read story
Is

Is tells their story of growing up with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Read story
Elizabeth's Story

Elizabeth talks about her experiences as a Paralympian and advocate for people with disability.

Read story
Chanelle's Story

Chanelle shares her story of how she has overcome discrimination.

Read story
Katrina's Story

Katrina shares her experiences as a woman with disability in education and leadership.

Read story
Liesl's Story

Liesl shares her experiences as a wheelchair basketball player, sailor and politician.

Read story
Kiz's Story

Kiz shares their story as a non binary person with mental illness.

Read story
Margherita's Story

Margherita shares her experiences as a short statured, Italian, lesbian woman.

Read story
Mia's Story

Mia talks about her experiences navigating relationships, healthcare, housing and more.

Read story
Emily's Story

Emily shares her experiences as a cheerleader and filmmaker.

Read story
Deb's Story

Deb tells her story of how she left a violent relationship.

Read story
Judy's Story

Judy shares her experiences as a leader and advocate, including a trip to the United Nations.

Read story
Kalena's Story

Kalena talks about visiting the United Nations and working with Speak Out Association of Tasmania.

Read story
Monique's Story

Monique shares her experiences as a mentor and contributor to the Sunny app.

Read story
Danielle's Story

Danielle shares her experiences as a para dancer.

Read story
Holly's Story

A story about navigating through an abusive relationship and coming out the other side.

Read story
Leanne's Story

Leanne talks about her experiences with the child protection system as a woman with disability.

Read story
Life is Not a Fairytale

Tess talks about their life as an Autistic, Aboriginal person with disability in rural Tasmania.

Read story
Breaking the Stigma Around Mental Illness

Jenny talks about making a difference through disability advocacy.

Read story
My Story of Independence

Hanna's story of moving out of home and navigating life independently.

Read story
Walking to the Stars

A story about Donna's dream to walk.

Read story
Rewriting The Sick Story: My Transition From a Lump of Sickness to a Health Boss

Charlie's story about navigating the health system to find answers.

Read story
My Artist Life

Karen's story of her life as an artist.

Read story
The Path To Self-Advocacy

Jane's story about how she learned to speak up and advocate for herself.

Read story
Cheryl's Story

Cheryl's story as an Aboriginal woman with disability.

Read story
My Paralympic Journey

Lyn's story about becoming a champ in the swimming pool.

Read story
Power in the Country

Judith's experiences of advocating for women with disability in rural Queensland.

Read story
Speaking Up For Yourself

A story about the importance of speaking up for your rights.

Read story
My Musical Self

A short story by Helen about her passion for music.

Read story
Waking up with a Disability

Content warnings: medical negligence, ableism, depicts graphic detail of acquired traumatic injury.

Read story
Born with a Broken Heart

Content warning: this posts includes references to extreme medical situations and dying

Read story
Slightly Awkward Parenting – I’ve got this!

Being a slightly awkward human and a disabled parent are integral and wonderful parts of who I am.

Read story
Disability Employment Protest

Maria Scharnke talks about her experience of education and employment and what needs to change now.

Read story
Visually impaired but will never lose sight of what’s important.

A story about navigating life with vision impairment and not holding back.

Read story
Empowering for Life

Kerryn Burgoyne

Read story
Incontinence: Two Views

A conversation between two women about incontinence.

Read story
If We Keep Babies Alive We Must Give Them A Life Worth Living

A story about child institutionalisation.

Read story
A Place to be Me

A poem about having a place to be yourself.

Read story
What Do You See Nurses?

A poem from the perspective of the patient.

Read story
Saddened Explosion

A poem about accepting disability.

Read story
Perfect Dreaming

A poem about dreaming.

Read story
My Life

A poem about living with epilepsy.

Read story
Bad Day

A poem from a wheelchair user about bad days.

Read story
A poem

A poem about the need for action and support.

Read story
Wine, Bed and Roses

An article about the need for person-centred approaches to disability care. Copyright 1998.

Read story
To Trachey or Not to Trachey? That is the Question

A piece about the process involved in making medical decisions. Copyright 1999.

Read story
Cats, Pokémon, Feminism and Disability: An Unconventional Trajectory

A poem about growing up Autistic.

Read story
Giving a Voice to Autistic Migrant Women

Helen talks about her life as a migrant Autistic woman.

Read story
The COVID-19 Pandemic and Technology

Helen talks about her experience in the COVID-19 pandemic and the importance of technology.

Read story
COVID-19 Contingency Planning: Everything Actually Worked!

Ricky's story is about how they planned for disasters and crises like COVID-19 and how you can too.

Read story
Is

Is tells their story of growing up with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Read story
Hannah's Story

Hannah shares her experiences as a single mother with disability.

Read story
Chanelle's Story

Chanelle shares her story of how she has overcome discrimination.

Read story
Katrina's Story

Katrina shares her experiences as a woman with disability in education and leadership.

Read story
Mia's Story

Mia talks about her experiences navigating relationships, healthcare, housing and more.

Read story
Jay's Story

Jay talks about their experiences as a non-binary person with mental illness.

Read story
Judy's Story

Judy shares her experiences as a leader and advocate, including a trip to the United Nations.

Read story
Kalena's Story

Kalena talks about visiting the United Nations and working with Speak Out Association of Tasmania.

Read story
What I've Learned

A poem about Erika's experiences of the mental health system.

Read story
Holly's Story

A story about navigating through an abusive relationship and coming out the other side.

Read story
Life is Not a Fairytale

Tess talks about their life as an Autistic, Aboriginal person with disability in rural Tasmania.

Read story
Women With Disability Can Be Sexy Too!

Deanna talks about exploring fitness and sexuality with Cerebal Palsy.

Read story
Breaking the Stigma Around Mental Illness

Jenny talks about making a difference through disability advocacy.

Read story
Self Managing my NDIS Package

Heathers reflections on the NDIS as a 65-year-old woman with cerebral palsy.

Read story
My Story of Independence

Hanna's story of moving out of home and navigating life independently.

Read story
Walking to the Stars

A story about Donna's dream to walk.

Read story
Rewriting The Sick Story: My Transition From a Lump of Sickness to a Health Boss

Charlie's story about navigating the health system to find answers.

Read story
Bernadette's Story

Illustration of Bernadettte's experiences in healthcare.

Read story
The Path To Self-Advocacy

Jane's story about how she learned to speak up and advocate for herself.

Read story
If We Keep Babies Alive We Must Give Them A Life Worth Living

A story about child institutionalisation.

Read story
I Worked In A Workshop

A story about harassment in the workplace.

Read story
Why Can’t They Hear Me

A poem about depression.

Read story
The Midnight Quiet

A poem about the calm of the night.

Read story
I Remember

Memories of being unsafe.

Read story
Could identifying the flags help kerb domestic violence

A story about recognising the red flags of the violent relationship.

Read story
The waiting room and Hep C

Tabitha talks about her expiences as an Aboriginal woman in the criminal justice system.

Read story
Jay's Story

Jay talks about their experiences as a non-binary person with mental illness.

Read story
Deb's Story

Deb tells her story of how she left a violent relationship.

Read story
Jess' Story

Jess shares her experiences as a survivor of violence.

Read story
Monique's Story

Monique shares her experiences as a mentor and contributor to the Sunny app.

Read story
Talie's Story

Talie shares her experiences as a survivor of violence.

Read story
Akii's Story

Akii shares their experiences as a womxn of colour with disability who has experienced violence.

Read story
What I've Learned

A poem about Erika's experiences of the mental health system.

Read story
Holly's Story

A story about navigating through an abusive relationship and coming out the other side.

Read story
Life is Not a Fairytale

Tess talks about their life as an Autistic, Aboriginal person with disability in rural Tasmania.

Read story
Me Too

A poem about Erika's experiences of violence and abuse.

Read story
Death From Exposure

A poem about expreriences of violence and depression.

Read story
Cheryl's Story

Cheryl's story as an Aboriginal woman with disability.

Read story
Julie's Story

A story about navigating, sex, relationships and reproductive health as a woman with disability.

Read story
Beauty Quests: A Double Disservice Beguiled, Beseeched And Bombarded – Challenging The Concept Of Beauty

A piece about the disservice of beauty standards.

Read story
Anger as a Liberating Strength – 'Please Don’t Do That'

A poem about women with disability and sexuality.

Read story
Dream On

A poem about romance and disability.

Read story
Perfect in My Imperfection

A short piece about accepting your own body and self. Copyright 2005.

Read story
Disability and Sexuality

An article about disability, sexuality and relationships. Copyright 2003.

Read story
Taking Leadership and Rediscovering My Body and Boundaries

Sadaf talks about rediscovering herself, her body and its boundaries after experiencing trauma.

Read story
Disability Discrimination in the Workplace

Cheryl discusses her experiences of discrimination in the workplace.

Read story
Hannah's Story

Hannah shares her experiences as a single mother with disability.

Read story
Kiz's Story

Kiz shares their story as a non binary person with mental illness.

Read story
Margherita's Story

Margherita shares her experiences as a short statured, Italian, lesbian woman.

Read story
Jay's Story

Jay talks about their experiences as a non-binary person with mental illness.

Read story
Holly's Story

A story about navigating through an abusive relationship and coming out the other side.

Read story
Leanne's Story

Leanne talks about her experiences with the child protection system as a woman with disability.

Read story
As a Disabled Woman, My Abortion Wasn't Questioned, but My Pregnancy Was

Nicole Lee talks about the stereotypes and discrimination women with disability face as parents.

Read story
Life is Not a Fairytale

Tess talks about their life as an Autistic, Aboriginal person with disability in rural Tasmania.

Read story
Women With Disability Can Be Sexy Too!

Deanna talks about exploring fitness and sexuality with Cerebal Palsy.

Read story
Me Too

A poem about Erika's experiences of violence and abuse.

Read story

Got a story you'd like to share?

We want to hear from you!

Our Site Real Stories is a place for the Our Site audience and WWDA members to connect, share, and learn more about each other. If you are a woman, girl, or gender diverse person with disability and have a story to share, please send your pitch to [email protected]. Your pitch should be between 50-100 words describing your story and how you would like to share it.

We strongly encourage submissions from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, other Black and Brown voices, people from refugee and migrant backgrounds, people with experiences of incarceration or institutionalisation, LGBTIQA+ people and people with intellectual disability. WWDA will be reserving space for these voices.

Our Site believes strongly in paying women and gender-diverse people for their work and as such, can offer $100 for you to share your story.

More information in Easy English: Blog or Story callout

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If you are not a member of WWDA click here to join today. You don’t need to be a member to share a story with Our Site, but you will also be the first to know if new and exciting things are happening for Our Site and WWDA.

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