My Journey to Independence – by Marlena Katene
Have you ever wondered how I can sit in my wheelchair for up to ten hours a day? It wasn’t something that happened overnight. My journey toward independence and control over my own body began when I was just six months old.
Winter Paralympics 2026. Let the Games Begin - by Susan Seipel
The Winter Olympics have sadly come to an end, but now that the ‘warm-up’ is over, I am getting excited for the main event, the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympics. The games will be held from the 6th to the 15th of March with 79 medal events across six sports, consisting of para alpine skiing, para biathlon, para cross-country skiing, para snowboard, wheelchair curling, and my personal favourite, para ice hockey.
A Small Wedding A Perfect Day – By Alicia Kapa
On a beautiful sunny spring day, I became Mrs Saro!
They say that you shouldn’t expect your wedding day to be perfect as things go wrong. I don’t think those people either planned very well or maybe they were planning an extravagant fairytale wedding because our day was absolutely perfect and nothing went wrong.
BBQ Without Barriers - by Lindsay Nott
Barbecuing — or as we call it here in Australia, The Barbie — is pretty much a national pastime. It’s more than cooking; it’s connection, conversation, and that unmistakable smell of possibility in the air.
I first got back into BBQing during my early rehab days in the Spinal Unit in Brisbane. Our monthly barbecues were a group effort. Patients would help organise the shopping, do what prep we could, and cook with staff lending a hand. It was less about being a master chef and more about being part of the action (and making sure nothing got burnt).
Invacare Europe and Asia Pacific Combine with Direct Healthcare Group Creating DHCare, to Better Serve Individuals with Reduced Movement
Rhône, a global private equity firm, has completed the acquisitions of Invacare Holdings S.ar.l. (Invacare Europe and APAC) and Direct Healthcare Group (DHG) through holding companies held by its Fund VI, combining the two businesses and associated brands to create DHCare, which will be one of the international leaders in designing, manufacturing and distributing medical devices in the mobility and post-acute care sectors. The transaction completed on the 30th January 2026.
10 Christmas Gifts You Should Never Give Someone With a Physical Disability - by Marlena Katene
This article uses humour and lived experience to explore gift giving and disability.
I love Christmas. It’s a time when we connect with family and friends to share a story or two — or better still, banter and take the mickey out of each other. Despite having a disability, I’m lucky that the people in my life fully embrace the banter and fun.
Am I Just a Participant? - by Marlena Katene
Lately, I’ve been thinking about the word participant.
If you look it up in the dictionary, it simply means “a person who takes part in something.” Straightforward enough.
But here in Australia, if you search for that word online, it almost always shows up alongside the NDIS. Suddenly, "participant" isn’t about being involved — it’s about plans, funding, and services.
And to be honest, that word has started to feel a bit strange to me.
Finding things that bring you joy - by Natasha Astill
As the end of the year nears. I have noticed that quite a few people have been less motivated.
This can be because of a few different factors that can contribute to this.
For me, when this happens, I find something that brings me joy. For instance, I do something creative like paint rocks, colouring in or diamond art. I also love doing jigsaw puzzles.
Another thing that brings me joy is starting a new hobby for example, I have started crocheting. I might not be the best at this, but I am having fun.
IDPWD exhaustion - by Zoe Simmons
Can I be honest? As a disabled person, I am exhausted with the mental load of disability awareness days
Disability is not a Halloween costume - by Susan Seipel
Every year Halloween is celebrated on the 31st of October. Halloween originated from Celtic beliefs around the human and spirit worlds crossing over at the end of the harvest season. The festival inspired the tradition of dressing up in scary costumes to ward off roaming spirits. While not as popular in the southern hemisphere trick-or-treating, Halloween theme parties, and scary house decorations are becoming more common in Australia and New Zealand.
Halloween poses both opportunities and challenges for people with disabilities.