Lived experiences

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Lived experiences

Reflections this Endometriosis Awareness Month

Known as "Chronically Ellen" on social media, Ellen is a garden-to-table expert and photographer living with multiple chronic illnesses. This Endometriosis Awareness month, she reflects on what is "normal" and the future of Endometriosis care in New Zealand.

Ellen Larsen
Ellen Larsen
Lived experiences

We need the world to understand us better - World Hearing Awareness Month

March is World Hearing Awareness Month, Gaby shares her thoughts on what this means to her as Deaf person.

Gaby Evans
Gaby Evans
A 4 year old boy with blonde hair and blue eyes wearing a cream jumper looks up to the camera and has a whimsical expression on this face.
Lived experiences

Education for all, or just those that fit the mould?

Exploring the challenges both a disabled student and parent face when starting school. Our Talent & Project Manager, Natalie, shares her experience as a parent preparing for her son to start school.

Natalie Robinson
Natalie Robinson
Ari on the end of NZFW runway, wearing a green waistcoat, black shirt and has his cane his your hand. He has ear length black hair and wears sunglasses.
Lived experiences

Feeling my power at NZFW23

Surreal. If you were to ask me how it felt being the first blind model to be on New Zealand Fashion Week runway using a cane, that’s the word I’d choose.

Ari Kerssens
Ari Kerssens
Misty is looking into the camera in one of their stage costumes. The attire is black and white and covers their shoulders. They have thick white makeup on their face with bright red eye shadow and lipstick. Their curly hair is pulled back with it rolled around cans above their head in a black headscarf
Lived experiences

Autism Acceptance and Appreciation

To recognise Autism Awareness Month, Piripi shares their journey with discovering they are autistic, and reflects on how this affected their childhood.

Piripi Mackie
Piripi Mackie
Luka has a hat on and smiles looking at the camera as he flexes his muscles. He is wearing a straw yellow hat, white t-shirt and patterned orange shirt.
Lived experiences

Enable Me, Support Me, Then Let Me Fly

Luka shares how he will be celebrating World Down Syndrome Day on 21 March.

Luka Willems
Luka Willems
Three black analogue phones against a grey backdrop
Lived experiences

A Deaf Person's Perspective of Phone Calls

Gaby recently interned with us at All is for All. In this piece, she details the current perceptions of phone calls as a Deaf person and what she imagines the future to be like.

Gaby Evans
Gaby Evans
A stadium with fireworks
Lived experiences

Travelling With Cerebral Palsy

Victoria has recently headed overseas for her big OE. In this piece, she tells of her experiences travelling the UK and Europe, whilst living with Cerebral Palsy. She also provides some tips on how to prepare for travel as a disabled person.

Victoria Baldwin
Victoria Baldwin
Image shows Natalie standing in a beach wearing a white long sleeve dress holding her baby bump looking towards the sunset.
Lived experiences

Pregnancy with a Disability

Natalie discusses her pregnancy journey within Aotearoa's health system.

Natalie Robinson
Natalie Robinson

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