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Leading Disability (International Day of People with a Disability 2020)

 Celebrating International Day of People with a Disability is something I’ve been looking forward to for months because this year I have made it my mission to focus on great community leaders with a disability. 

My social media feeds in 2020 are full of people I have decided to model myself after. 

This all started when I learned about Amberley Synder, a kick arse rodeo cowgirl who hasn’t let her disability stop her. Apart from her awesomeness on the rodeo circuit her motivational speaking blew me away. 

Then I started to hear about Kyle Maynard, a wrestler and MMA fighter with a disability. Kyle is proof that there is a fighter in all of us. 

Then of course no list of great leaders with a disability would be complete without talking about my man Dylan Alcott who continues to smash it on the tennis court, in the media, and as an entrepreneur. 

Being a poet, public speaker, political activist, and professional actor, I of course cannot forget the leaders with a disability that are killing it in the artistic world. 

First in this category is the Archibald Prize finalist Digby Webster. 

Also in the artistic category, my fellow actor Bridie McKim still stealing the show on The Heights. 

I was also happy to come across the author of ‘Strangers Think My Girlfriend is my Nurse’ Shane Burcaw. Thank you Shane for proving people with disabilities can be best selling authors. 

People with disabilities have also been changing the media landscape this year. The best example of this is the ABC Disability Affairs reporter Nas Campanella. I always look forward to her reports. 

Another one of my favourite examples of this is YouTuber turned British broadcaster, Jessica Kellgren-Fozard.

All these examples of leaders with a disability I have just given are proof that people with disabilities are capable of working at the top echelons of society and should be celebrated on this International Day of People with Disabilities but we should also be mindful that the gap between the high achievers with a disability and everyday people with disability does not get too big. The hours of harrowing testimony at the Disability Royal Commission is proof that there is still more work to be done. 



Leading Disability


Does my disability lead me or do I lead disability?

There are people with disability who take the lead in all walks of life

On our TV screen, our radio, and international sport. 

Every victory is hard fought. 


There are people with disabilities in Parliament House and in Playhouse Theatre.

Just by watching these great leaders it will turn you into a true believer.

People with disabilities rule basketball and tennis courts as well as the court of law.

If you’re looking for someone to be at the front when times get tough, you can turn to a person with a disability that’s for sure.


There are many people with disabilities who are a part of the elite because quite simply we are hard to beat.

So as we lead up to the top of the hill, we must remember to take along our brothers and sisters in wheelchairs with us still.

Never forget that it is a leader’s job to speak up when things are not quite right.

The Disability Royal Commission gives us royal permission to speak out as a proud act of sedition.


Chris Van Ingen | 3 December 2020

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