The Strength of Us

John Parkinson grew up near Port Fairy & one of his first jobs was at Warrnambool’s Brierly Mental Hospital. He has seen a lot change in the world of mental health but wants to do more.

After a shocking increase of suicide in his community and getting to know the parents of the late Sam Fitzgibbon, John and other locals got together to find a way to get more people talking.

That’s when they started Let’s Talk whose mission it is to remove the stigma of mental illness. In this episode Lisa and John discuss grief, suicide, loneliness, ageing, mental health in sport, the impact of social media, anti-depressants and much more.

Click here for a comprehensive list of Support Services in Australia from Let's Talk:
https://www.letstalkaustralia.org/immediate-support
Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/ben-johnson/cant-stop-chasing-you License code: 6JI8KQ77EOJHB9FF

In 1974, when my sister, Tanya, who has Down Syndrome was born they called her a Mongoloid. Institutions were still closing around Australia and a lot of the general public were afraid of people with intellectual disabilities because they were simply not seen. Not on the streets, not in schools, there was obviously no internet back in the day and people who didn’t fit the social norm were certainly not on TV.

So it was no wonder that my father was afraid to take Tanya home from the hospital, in fact the delivering doctor offered to murder Tanya, thinking this would be the right thing for my parents. And many others were of the opinion that Tanya belonged in an institution or asylum.

But none of these people knew the strength of Adriana Quattrocchi, my mum. From the moment Tanya was brought home, Adriana worked day and night to give Tanya every opportunity in this world just like any other child. She had to battle doctors, relatives, friends and schools to give Tanya the life that she deserved.

47 years later, Adriana is telling her story of the ups and downs of raising Tanya in Shepparton, the heartbreak of her moving out of home in her late 20s and the on-going health issues that Tanya faces to this day.

So far, Tanya has had an extraordinary life and it’s all thanks to her tiger mum and her saint, Adriana.

Education, Support & Services

Down Syndrome AustraliaDisability Australia HubDisability Services AustraliaNational Disability Services

The Evolution and Devolution of Mental Health Services in Australia - Inquiries JournalMental Health Facilities Guide | NSW State ArchivesAUSTRALIAN ASYLUMS - Australia's Dark HeartThe Evolution and Devolution of Mental Health Services in Australia - Inquiries JournalPsychiatric Institutions of the Past

Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/ilya-kuznetsov/memory
License code: YFJTCP7TWEM2QO7U

Emily Quattrocchi had been a competitive cheerleader, netballer, keen film student and was just beginning her career when everything changed on that terrifying day when she was driving to work.

Lisa chats with her baby cousin Emily about her accident and injuries and how the failed airbags and her seatbelt contributed to her spinal injury but also saved her life.

Emily is now a paraplegic, a wheelie, a recognised short film maker, an awarded champion and Ambassador for good health for women’s health week and has appeared on the ABC many times for her paracheerleading and most recently as a new peer support mentor.

Emily also has an awesome youtube channel where she teaches us all about the reality of living in a wheelchair and has an award winning film: Emily, you never give up - A story about HOW I BECAME PARALYSED

As time goes by, Emily challenges herself to slowly take back control of her body and has worked towards crawling and other independent skills.

She is an inspiration, a leader and Emily will never give up!

Support & education

Disability Australia Hub

People with disability in Australia, Summary - Australian Institute of Health and Welfare

National Disability Services

Lifeline phone 131114

Shopping

EveryHuman

Kerryn Harvey was a triathlete and after a 2013 cycling accident in the Adelaide Hills, Australia, she contracted a flesh eating bacteria, referred to as Necrotizing Fasciitis resulting in a four quarter arm amputation which includes her whole arm, shoulder and some chest and back muscles.

With toxic shock and organ failure, Kerryn’s loved ones had to decide whether to amputate to try and save her life, or say their goodbyes. Fortunately for Kerryn, her friends knew just how strong she was and knew that when she woke up, she would make the most of her life, no matter what.

In this episode you will hear Kerryn’s story of survival against all odds. In fact, she had less than a 5% chance of living but the incredible medical team at the Royal Adelaide Hospital not only saved her life, but were the inspiration for Kerryn to give back when she got back on that bike. Kerryn raised a significant amount of money for research at the Royal Adelaide Hospital and began the Start Foundation. A charity that helps amputees to afford the prosthetics, equipment or modifications needed in order to play sport.

Kerryn has gone on to achieve more personal goals and now holds a world ranking as a paratriathlete. Nothing stops this woman from giving it her all. She is now a personal trainer, an inspiring sportswoman and a force of nature.
Donate to the START foundation here: https://www.startfoundation.org.au/donations For further support:
https://www.bicyclenetwork.com.au/https://www.auscycling.org.au/membership/other/insurance-overview https://www.letstalkaustralia.org/ https://www.beyondblue.org.au/https://www.lifeline.org.au/131114/

Talking about race can be tricky for many of us. So how can we do it in an inclusive, mindful and positive way? Thankfully there is a new book that includes a short history of race and racism in Britain, from the Romans through to the present day, including the history of slavery and the abolition movement.

Ruth Hill and Loretta Andrews chat about their inspiration for the book and their own lived experiences.

To purchase the book in Australia:

Amazon - Talking to Children about Race

To purchase the book in UK:

https://spckpublishing.co.uk/talking-to-children-about-race