The Sunflower Conversations are where we explore hidden disabilities through the prism of the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower. In a world where it can be hard to feel like your story matters, we want to give you a space to share your experience. Whether you or someone you care about wears the Sunflower lanyard, we hope that by giving voice to these experiences, we can empower others and encourage more people to support people with invisible disabilities.
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Explore the narratives that unfold beneath the surface as we embark on this journey together. Every story shared is a unique treasure waiting to be uncovered. Let curiosity guide you through the depths of knowledge and insight. Join us on the expedition that transcends boundaries, where voices echo in the silence of discovery. Embrace the richness of each tale, for in the depths of conversation lies the true essence of a Special Subject. No subject is too heavy or taboo on this podcast, as w ...
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Happiness chat without the fluff and bullshit. Each episode we explore a different pathway to happiness with awesome guests and me your host, Loretta Hart. I'm a Happiness strategist who loves to help you find your happy.
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Episode 11 - Our First International Guest - YouTuber @NeurodiverJENNt
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38:54
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Jen, a neurodivergent individual, shares her journey of creating content on YouTube to raise awareness about neurodiversity and autism. She discusses the topics of dual diagnosis of autism and ADHD, common misconceptions about neurodiversity, and the need for better representation in media. Jen emphasizes the importance of sharing personal experien…
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Episode 10 - Ange McArthur , a mother, business owner, and advocate
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31:04
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Summary Ange McArthur , a mother, business owner, and advocate, discusses her experience managing time and being punctual as a mother and business owner with ADHD and autism. She emphasizes the importance of giving herself grace and reducing work hours to accommodate her children's needs. Ange communicates openly with her team and clients about her…
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Episode 9 - Sarah Langston - Helping Out Neurodivergent Parents via The ANPA
28:14
28:14
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By thedeepdiveau
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Discover the vital role of the pituitary gland and its impact on our health with Gretchen Jordan, Associate Director of the Cushing Support and Research Foundation. Gretchen shares her compelling personal journey with Cushing's disease from diagnosis to advocacy. This episode uncovers the critical functions of cortisol and the often-overlooked symp…
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Autism and ADHD with Isabella Fantastia - Australia and New Zealand
11:24
11:24
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“My brain is having to put in a lot of coping mechanisms to be able to just be in that space or in that place.” Peta Hooke interviews Isabella about intersectionality in youth, disability and mental health. Isabella (Belle) identifies as a neurodivergent (autistic & ADHD) Greek (CALD) queer/asexual empath with binge eating disorder (BED), learning …
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Episode 8 - Lauren McGee - Eliminating Stress in a Stressful World
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Stress is a natural response in the body that occurs when we perceive something as a threat. However, in today's society, stress has become chronic and accumulates throughout the day. Chronic stress can lead to long-term changes in brain chemistry and neuroplasticity, affecting brain structure and function. It can also manifest in the body physical…
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Tourette's Syndrome with Leighton, Uncle Tics - Australia and New Zealand
18:46
18:46
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Language warning: Strong language used in this podcast. Content Warning: Please be advised that this episode contains strong language and discusses suicide. Tourette Syndrome (Tourette's) is a neurological condition that causes individuals to make involuntary vocal noises and movements called tics. Swearing or saying inappropriate things only affec…
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Episode 7 - Neurodivergent Travel Hacks in Australia
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5:33
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Episode 6 – Justin Bruce - The Hidden Disability Sunflower Program: Breaking Stigmas & Encouraging Support
19:04
19:04
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Justin Bruce is an executive manager at Bayley House, supporting adults with Intellectual Disabilities under the NDIS. Four years ago, Justin brought the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower to Australia and New Zealand with the aim of building a more tolerant, understanding and inclusive society for all. Justin is dedicated to promoting the voice of peop…
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Episode 5 - Stephanie Robertson - Being an Occupational Therapist in a Neuroaffirming Practice and providing Trauma Informed Care
26:19
26:19
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Steph Robertson is the founder of occupational therapist at SGR Occupational Therapy. As a multiply- neurodivergent person herself, Steph is passionate about supporting others to embrace neurodiversity and live a life that aligns with who they are authentically. Steph has dedicated her career to providing trauma-informed and neurodivergent affirmin…
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For more information go to our Show Notes page at www.deepdiveau.netBy thedeepdiveau
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Schizoaffective disorder with Alana - Australia and New Zealand
13:16
13:16
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This month, our Sunflower Conversations Podcaster in Australia and New Zealand, Peta Hooke, interviews Alana talking about schizoaffective disorder, a combination of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Alana discusses her experience with hallucinations and multi-sensory delusion, and how the Sunflower can help in employment and education environmen…
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Episode 3 - Kitty Beach - Being a Neurodivergent Singer and Musician.
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21:09
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This week’s guest is Kitty Beach, a 19 year old, neurodivergent & LGBTQ identifying indie pop singer, songwriter & guitarist, from Melbourne Australia. He released his debut single 'Live in the now' in April 2023 & he has been performing at open mics/singing comps ever since. He’s currently working on his first EP + more performance opportunities w…
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Martin Cornally shares his experience of the rare pituitary disease called acromegaly. Hear firsthand how a pituitary tumour led to excessive production of growth hormone, causing severe physical changes, including osteoarthritis. Despite undergoing two surgeries, Martin continues to fight this chronic and life-long condition, shedding light on the…
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Episode 2 - Michael's journey of Neurodivergence and Inspiration for the Podcast
3:28
3:28
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This is brief episode explaining Michael's Journey with Neurodivergence.By thedeepdiveau
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PTSD and CPTSD with Rachel Bilksi, PTSD UK
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56:25
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Our guest is Rachel Bilski from the charity PTSD UK. PTSD stands for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and is typically associated with veterans. However, it isn't only veterans who can develop it – And Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, CPTSD, is less well known and, therefore, can take longer to diagnose. Rachel's lived experiences of CPTSD con…
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Episode 1 - Being a NeuroSpicy Boss and running a successful Neurodivergent Company with Neurodivergent People
28:44
28:44
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Today’s guest on The Deep Dive is Ashleigh Rae, creator and managing director of AR Services Group. Her group does virtual support co-ordination to clients right around Australia, and has a team of NeuroSpicy workers with lived experience that can truly understand the challenges of it’s clients.By thedeepdiveau
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ADHD and Autism with Althea Rice - Australia and New Zealand
9:31
9:31
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This month, our Sunflower Conversations Podcaster, Peta Hooke, interviews Althea, talking about ADHD and Autism. The Sunflower Conversations is a Podcast where we explore the experiences of people living with hidden disabilities and what the Sunflower means to them. It’s a space to share your experience and to empower and encourage more people to s…
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Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) with Amy Kelly, Crohn's & Colitis Ireland
1:02:31
1:02:31
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Our guest is Amy Kelly, Head of Communications and Fundraising at Crohn's & Colitis Ireland. Amy was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease when she was 27 and shares her lived experiences and the impacts and adjustments she has made to her life. Amy explained that inflammatory bowel disease is an autoimmune disease and how it differs from irritable bowel …
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PMDD with Anna Cooper and Dr Rebecca Tomlinson, Menstrual Health Project
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49:01
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This podcast was recorded as an Instagram Live. CONTENT WARNING. The terms suicide and eating disorders are referenced. Please visit your healthcare provider if you are concerned about any issues relating to this topic. Anna Cooper, co-founder of the Menstrual Health Project, and Dr Rebeccah Tomlinson joined us to answer questions from the Sunflowe…
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CONTENT WARNING. We touch upon suicide, eating disorders and self-harm. Our guest will talk about her lived experiences, and signposting to charities for support. Please visit your healthcare provider if you are concerned about any issues relating to this topic. This podcast was recorded as an Instagram Live. For years, Amani battled with anxiety, …
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Eve Jensch is 37 and was diagnosed with Parkinson's two years ago. Eve lives in Ireland with her three children and her husband and joins us to talk about her lived experience with Parkinson's. Parkinson's is a progressive neurological condition, which means that it causes problems in the brain as the cells stop working correctly and, over time, st…
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Autism and ADHD with Clare and Matilda Kemp
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49:36
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Clare and her daughter, Matilda, join us to discuss Matilda's school experiences. Matilda is nine years old and in year five at primary school; she is autistic and has ADHD. Friendships can be challenging because Matilda is autistic and doesn't always pick up on social cues. Having ADHD means she needs to be active. Matilda tells us about the adjus…
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Optic Nerve Glioma with Michelle Culbert and Karina Smith
39:29
39:29
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Our guests are Karina Smith and Michelle Culbert, from South Florida, who both have Optic Nerve Glioma, a rare eye condition affecting sight that typically affects young children. It is a slow-growing brain tumour in or around the optic nerve, which connects the eye to the brain. As the tumour progresses, it presses on the optic nerve. Karina and M…
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Eating Disorders, Autism and ADHD with Adam Fare
53:53
53:53
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CONTENT WARNING. The topic is eating disorders, and throughout the podcast, our guest will talk about their lived experiences, as well as signposting to charities for support. Please visit your healthcare provider if you are concerned about any issues relating to this topic. Undiagnosed autism and ADHD have played a part in Adam developing an eatin…
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Learning Disabilities with Dorothy Watson and Marcus Tanner, The Sunnybank Trust
32:45
32:45
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Our guests are Marcus Tanner and Dorothy Watson, CEO of The Sunnybank Trust. “The Sunnybank Trust supports adults with a learning disability across North East Surrey to have confidence, opportunities and control over their own lives and to be able to live without prejudice and discrimination.” In our conversation, we tackle the myths and stigma att…
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Eating Disorders with Zoe Summers, BEAT UK
53:12
53:12
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53:12
CONTENT WARNING. The topic is eating disorders, and throughout the podcast, our guest will talk about their lived experiences, as well as signposting to charities for support. Please visit your healthcare provider if you are concerned about any issues relating to this topic. Our guest, Zoe Summers, joins us to talk about eating disorders (ED), whic…
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Stroke with Jo Aurora, Different Strokes, and Hayette Wilkinson
42:16
42:16
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Jo joined us from the charity Different Strokes to answer Sunflower wearers' questions and to explain what a stroke is, the signs to look out for, and what action to take, as well as advice about the support available to patients. Hayette had a stroke at age 32 and has been on a long journey of rehabilitation and recovery; she talks us through the …
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This podcast was recorded as an Instagram Live. Hayette is a mother, wife and stroke survivor. Aged 32 Hayette experienced a severe stroke called a subarachnoid haemorrhage, followed by an ischaemic stroke a few days later. A subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) is a life-threatening type of stroke, caused by bleeding into the space surrounding the brain…
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Autism and the Sunflower with William Vanderpuye
17:52
17:52
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William Vanderpuye is a social worker and is autistic. In this conversation, William shares what the Sunflower means to him and the confidence and support it has given him while in education at university and now in employment. William's employer, Sutton Council, is supportive and offers understanding and kindness so that he can succeed and excel i…
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Perimenopause and Menopause with Dr Louise Newson
53:08
53:08
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Dr Louise Newson is a GP & Menopause Specialist and joined us to share her knowledge and expertise. Dr Newson and her team at Newson Health are at the forefront of advocating for women to get the appropriate treatment to support their hormone health. As well as investing in research and training to help healthcare practitioners make the best decisi…
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This podcast was recorded as an Instagram Live. Maddie shared her lived experience of being wrongly diagnosed with mixed anxiety, depression and panic disorder before eventually being diagnosed with autism when at university aged 21. In our chat, we talked about her life as she tried to navigate the neurotypical world and her newfound approach to l…
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Perimenopause and Menopause with Fay Durrant
55:35
55:35
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Fay Durrant is a Wellbeing and Menopause coach and joined us to discuss perimenopause and menopause as well as her own lived experience with perimenopause. The conversation allows our hosts, Chantal and Paul, to speak about their experiences with having and living through perimenopause. Also discussed is the impact of this phase of life on relation…
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Beth Johnsson joins us to talk about Rett Syndrome. This rare genetic disorder affects brain development, resulting in severe mental and physical disability. It's estimated to affect around 1 in 10,000 girls born yearly and is rarely seen in boys. Beth talks about her personal experience with her daughter, Hannah, who was diagnosed with the conditi…
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Sandy Kaur joins the Sunflower Conversations to discuss mental health and suicide prevention in Punjabi and South Asian communities and how her charity Sehhat is tackling the topic. We discuss the barriers to seeking support, including the obvious one, which is language and the cultural fear of judgment from the community. Whether talking about men…
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Lisa Nice has multiple sclerosis (MS). She joins Chantal and Paul to explain how the autoimmune and neurodegenerative condition affects her. We also discuss her employer, Comic Relief's approach to diversity, equity and inclusion. Diagnosed late in life, it came as a shock, and it took a while for Lisa to accept her diagnosis, which is relapsing-re…
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Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) with Bethany and Hannah Keime
58:29
58:29
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Our guests are sisters Bethany and Hannah Keime, who have a condition called Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), a disease of the heart muscle where the muscle wall of the heart becomes thickened. Bethany and Hannah received a diagnosis in high school and have had to make significant changes to their lives and sporting passions. They have both been …
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ADHD, Processing Disorder and Depression with Ginger Ragaishis
41:56
41:56
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Ginger Ragaishis is Miss Vermont Teen 2023 and is currently a junior in high school. Ginger has ADHD and learning disabilities and uses her lived experience to deliver talks to younger students to give them the confidence to be their authentic selves while at the same time raising awareness about acceptance. We talk about how Ginger's processing di…
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Eva Abley joined Paul and Chantal at Disability Expo to share her life experience of living with cerebral palsy. Eva is 15 years old and a 2022 Britain’s Got Talent finalist who endeared the country when she took to the stage to entertain, amuse and delight with her quick-witted and observant humour and comedy routines. Close to Eva's heart is her …
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Fragile X Syndrome with Monique Mitchell and Liz Jewell, Fragile X Australia
52:01
52:01
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Liz Jewell is the Family Support Counsellor at Fragile X Australia, and Monique Mitchell is the mum of two children with Fragile X Syndrome. This conversation teaches us about Fragile X characteristics and the difference between boys and girls. We also include a Q&A from the Sunflower community, which is very insightful. If you are experiencing any…
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Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and ADHD with Solène Anglaret
50:41
50:41
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Solène joined Ruth and Chantal at Disability Expo to share her life experiences of living with BPD and ADHD. It was a deep and meaningful conversation where Solène revealed the highs and lows, including how her therapy has given her the tools to accept and embrace her mental health and ADHD. This is a live recording. If you are experiencing any iss…
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For our first-ever face-to-face Sunflower Conversations recording, Chantal was joined by Patrick Fopma, who is autistic and who describes himself as having Aspergers. In our conversation, we discussed his differences, including how he wanted to fit in when he was at school. We cover his journey through education and the barriers he faced to gaining…
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Bowel and Vaginal Cancer and Acoustic Neuroma with Karen Bucknall
56:15
56:15
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Karen is a beauty pageant queen who joins the conversation to discuss her diagnosis, treatment and recovery. Karen shares intimate details of her health journey in a humorous and endearing way. After coming to terms with her post-surgery body, Karen enters beauty pageants to build her self-confidence and help support other women and raise cancer aw…
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Dysautonomia with Miss Chile Ambar Zenteno
30:25
30:25
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Ambar Zenteno, Miss Chile, has dysautonomia and is shining her light on the condition through the beauty pageant Miss World - Beauty with a Purpose platform. Dysautonomia is a term used to describe any disorder of the autonomic (automatic) nervous system. Ambar advocates for the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower in Chile and plans to raise the profile …
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ADHD, Developmental Coordination Disorder, and Sensory processing with Justin Wesolek
26:43
26:43
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Justin has ADHD, Developmental Coordination Disorder, and Sensory processing issues. A graduate at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, in Wisconsin, which has a special focus for students with disabilities. Justin explains how each of his disabilities affects him and what accommodations his college has made so that the barriers to his education…
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Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023 with Anna Ballreich
22:02
22:02
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Anna Ballreich joins us from the Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023 to explain the history of the games and what visitors can expect to see and experience. The Special Olympics is from the 17th – 25th June 2023. 7,000 Special Olympics athletes with intellectual disabilities from 190 delegations will compete in 26 sports. The athletes will be …
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Epilepsy with Murray Goulder and Daniel Jennings, Epilepsy Action
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34:27
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Murray Goulder has epilepsy and joins us with Daniel Jennings from charity, Epilepsy Action, to talk about absence seizures, treatment, public misconceptions and access to venues. Murray campaigns for greater awareness of epilepsy using his lived experiences. An avid music lover, he regularly attends concerts and is passionate about ensuring access…
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Jade Godier joins us to share exciting news about Disability Expo, a free person-focused event for people with lived experience of disability. Showcasing the latest developments on the disability market, relevant services and information, and a full programme of inclusive activities, performances and presentations from engaging relatable people. Mo…
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Meegan Winters is the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program regional partner in the US and co-founder of AbleVu and Able Eyes. Meegan talks about her life experiences and why she decided to create the AbleVu, - which provides a detailed preview of an organisation's accessibility features. Access virtual walk-through tours, accessibility checklists,…
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Congenital Anosmia and visual impairment with Claire-Louise Pitman
23:49
23:49
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Claire-Louise has Congenital Anosmia and is severely visually impaired. Since birth, Claire-Louise hasn't had a sense of smell, but only discovered this when she was 11 years old. We talk about how Claire-Louise navigates through life without two of her senses and what effect that has on her anxiety. If you are experiencing any issues discussed in …
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