International Day of People with Disabilities
Did you know that 1 in 5 Australians live with a disability (5.5 million people). Some disabilities are obvious but some are what we call invisible disabilities - a physical, mental, or neurological condition that is not visible from the outside, yet can limit or challenge a person's movements, senses or activities. This can include chronic pain conditions, medical conditions including mental health and learning disabilities such as Dyslexia and ADHD.
International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD) is a United Nations-observed day held on 3rd December each year to raise awareness of the achievements of people living with a disability.
At Ballarat High School, Inclusion Coordinator, Beverly Maney, Student Wellbeing Team Leader, Shirlene Laurie and Library staff collaborated to celebrate the day with a special lunch and speeches. Megan Riedl, a local performing artist and poet, was invited as our guest speaker. Megan has recently completed a 7-week Creative Writing program for some of our Neurodivergent students.
Megan’s program introduced students to many different types of writing that they may not have experienced before. A small group of our Year 7 and 8 students, supported by Integration Aide, Kylie Ellis, experimented with creating zines, performance poetry, self-expression through badge-making and collaboratively creating an alternate world. The students who participated in the Creative Writing program, increased in confidence as they gained understanding that their perspectives are interesting, different, artistic and valuable.
Shirlene conducted a different version of Welcome to Country with each participant and audience member taking a leaf and thinking about how each one is unique and special in its own way.
Megan gave a brief speech and then ran a panel presentation with some of our Year 7 students: Ruby Gardner, Isabella Rowe, Alisa Savochkina and Declan Highgate. The students showed some of their artwork and discussed what they have been doing during creative writing and art therapy sessions, and what they hope to do in the future.
Librarian, Loretta Kelly, created book displays of fiction with characters with disabilities and inspirational biographies. She also lined the library windows with posters covering topics such as Auslan and Braille, famous people with learning disabilities and extraordinary people with a range of disabilities including Cerebral Palsy, Autism, Multiple Sclerosis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Quadriplegia, Sight and Hearing impairments, Chronic fatigue syndrome, Brain injuries and Amputations. Loretta said she found the some of the stories really inspiring as people have found ways to focus on their individual passions no matter the difficulties they have faced. We can all learn from their experiences.
One of the stories which really resonated with her was about a farmer, Nick Trethowan, who had a leg amputated after a cancer diagnosis as a teenager. He thought he would never be able to be a farmer due to his injury so he studied to be an accountant instead. However, 6 months of working in the city and he realised it was not for him. Instead, he returned home to the farm and with the help of friends he adapted the farm machinery to enable him to do the job he loves - reminding us all to not let anything stop us from pursuing our dreams.
Loretta Kelly
Librarian