Here are 10 Australians living with a disability that you need to follow!
Drisana Levitzke-Gray
Born deaf into a family with deaf parents and a deaf brother, Drisana Levitzke-Gray, very much understands the challenges of living with a disability. She’s dedicated her life to helping deaf people advocate for their human rights.
Drisana has worked with leadership communities all around the world to develop greater human rights understanding of deaf youth.
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Dinesh Palipana
Dinesh Palipana is an Australian doctor, lawyer, scientist and disability advocate. He was the first quadriplegic medical graduate in Queensland, and co-founded Doctors with Disabilities Australia, helping to develop national policies for inclusivity in medical education and employment.
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Nikki Hind
Nikki Hind was working as in public relations and pregnant with her first child, before she experienced a series of incredibly challenging health and life events that left her legally blind and a single mother. Determined to become a positive role model for her children, Nikki decided to pursue her life long dream of fashion design.
An important disability advocate, Nikki is on a mission to change how the fashion industry view disability.
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Nathan Parker
Nathan Parker was on the way to his dream job as a fighter pilot when a military accident left him badly injured and his left hand amputated.
Despite his injuries, Nathan went back to flying in three months and resumed his military and university studies within seven months. An Invictus Games winning athlete and practicing flying instructor, Nathan has never allowed his disability to stop him from doing what he loves most.
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Madeline Stuart
Maddy always new she could conquer the world. Before becoming the world’s first professional model with Down Syndrome, she represented QLD in cricket and basketball at the Special Olympics.
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Jenny McAllister
Jenny McAllister is on a mission to transform the fashion industry, to make it more inclusive and accessible for people who have a disability.
Her business StyleAbility was driven by Jenny’s frustration by the lack of representation within the fashion and retail industry for people with a disability.
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Bashir Yousseff
Bashir is legally blind music producer based on the Gold Coast. He’s always wanted to be a performer and was never going to allow his eye condition to get in the way of his dream.
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Jerusha Mather
When Jerusha Mather was a child with cerebral palsy, doctors told her parents she would never walk or talk.
Now a PhD student working towards becoming a clinical scientist and rehabilitation physician, Jerusha is a passionate advocate of improving access to medical education for people living with disabilities.
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Hannah Gadsby
Growing up, Hannah Gadsby always felt she was different. She found it hard reading social cues, however she had a natural ability to make people laugh.
In 2006 she went out on a whim and entered a stand-up comedy competition. She won. This opened the door to her very successful career as an international comedian.
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Michael Theo
Michael Theo’s popularity grew during his time on Netflix's reality TV series, Love On The Spectrum. Overcoming shyness and embracing Aspergers, he’s launched his own podcast titled Mr A+ which has given him the chance to share his personality and interests with the world.
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