“One of the most sincere forms of respect is actually listening to what another has to say.”
– Bryant McGill (author)
Most of us would agree with these words, but sometimes being a good listener can be hard – especially when life gets busy!
For many of our clients who are living with a disability, feeling heard (and seen) is one of the main life challenges we’re asked to help with. Not feeling seen and heard creates more vulnerability in people who may already feel vulnerable. This is particularly true if the type of disability impacts communication and social interaction.
This is why we’re teaming up with This Is My Brave Australia (TIMBA) to host a special storytelling event at Wagga’s CSU Playhouse on 8 July 2023 – “It’s Our Turn”.
Local Wagga residents with disability will take to the stage to share their stories through song, poetry, dance, art and spoken word. These stories will focus on the lived experience of disability and how it can be used to change the narrative. By bringing these stories to life on stage, we will be able to create a more inclusive and accepting culture that celebrates diversity.
We believe that by sharing these stories we can help to raise awareness about disability and create a more understanding society. We want to show people that everyone has something unique to offer regardless of any perceived limitations or obstacles they may face. We hope these performances can inspire others to share their own stories and create a space where everyone is accepted for who they are.
Amanda (Bex) Beckett is RACR’s team leader for disability support services, and she says “lived experience” events provide important insights to the broader community about people’s day-to-day lives.Fees for counselling services are charged based on a sliding scale according to your income, ensuring accessibility for all people. Our team will discuss fees with you at the time of booking.
Or, as Tash (who will be performing at the event), puts it:
“I experienced a lot of traumatic things as a child with a disability, living in foster care with 10 different families. It showed me that people with disabilities need to be listened to all the time.”
What to expect at the event
If you’re wondering what to expect, we worked with TIMBA to host the first of these storytelling events in Albury last year. It was a fantastic experience that exceeded everyone’s expectations. The show itself was of such a high quality that several of the performers were invited to attend other shows and symposiums as a result.
However, we were even prouder of some of the other outcomes. The event helped to spread education and awareness within the Albury community, and we even managed to secure a ramp for the Albury train station. The performers themselves also said they felt more connected to each other and their community.
Most importantly, many reported feeling seen and heard for the first time – helping them to build confidence as they go about their day-to-day lives. What more could we ask for?
Join us in Wagga for “It’s Our Turn”
We’d love for you to join us in Wagga on 8 July for “It’s Our Turn”. Tickets start from $10 for concession card holders. You can find out more about the event and register for tickets here.
If you are having any difficulty accessing the tickets online, please contact our Disability Royal Commission counselling and support service on 1300 364 277 for help. You can also purchase tickets at the theatre on the day.
