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In this episode, meet 20-year-old Nioka Bush who lives with Cerebral Palsy and is on the autistic spectrum.

Nioka shares her experience growing up with her disability, going through the schooling system, the women who have helped shaped her and her advice for the next generation of women growing up with disabilities.

This episode has been made in celebration of International Womens Day, which celebrates the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women around the globe.

We believe that stories lived experience is the best way for people to learn about disability and help take action.

Information in this episode

Breakthru School Leaver Employment Supports https://breakthru.org.au/services/school-leaver-employment-supports/

Nioka Bush Instagram https://www.instagram.com/niokabush/

International Women's Day - https://www.internationalwomensday.com/

Credits
This episode has been written, produced and edited by Susan Wood. Logo art by Cobie Ann Moore.

If you would like to email us with a podcast topic request email community@scia.org.au with the subject heading 'Podcast Topic Request'

Spinal Cord Injuries Australia is a for-purpose organisation that supports people with a spinal cord injury and other neurological conditions. For more information about our supports and services, visit our Resource Hub at https://scia.org.au/resource-hub/.

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Meet Melbourne-based podcaster and disability advocate Peta Hooke. She is the host of 'The I Can’t Stand Podcast', and in 2025, she released a short podcast series called 'Eggs', where she chronicles her real-life experience navigating IVF and fertility with a Cerebral Palsy.

On Have the Nerve, Susan and Peta talk a bit more about that podcast and the reception, medical equity and they discuss how our lifelong disabilities have shaped what gratitude means to them.

Information in this episode

The I Can't Stand Podcast https://www.icantstandpodcast.com/

Eggs - The I Can't Stand Podcast https://omny.fm/shows/the-i-cant-stand-podcast/playlists

As a Disabled Woman, My Abortion Wasn't Questioned, but My Pregnancy Was - Article by Nicole Lee (April 27, 2020 Women with Disabilities Australia) https://oursite.wwda.org.au/stories/as-a-disabled-woman-my-abortion-wasnt-questioned-but-my-pregnancy-was

I Just Needed a Mammogram - Article by Asha Prasad (January 16, 2026 Spinal Cord Injuries Australia) https://scia.org.au/resource-hub/i-just-needed-a-mammogram/

Woman who uses wheelchair turned away from mammogram appointment - Article by Nas Campanella (July 9, 2025, Australian Broadcasting Corporation) https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-07-09/woman-wheelchair-turned-away-from-mammogram/105464036

Credits
This episode has been written, produced and edited by Susan Wood. Logo art by Cobie Ann Moore.

Spinal Cord Injuries Australia is a for-purpose organisation that supports people with a spinal cord injury and other neurological conditions. For more information about our supports and services, visit our Resource Hub at https://scia.org.au/resource-hub/.

Send a text

In the final episode for Have the Nerve for 2025, meet Susan's mother, Alma.

Alma came from Kabankalan, Negros Occidental in the Philippines to Australia in 1981. She shares her perspective of raising Susan, observations as she got older, advice for parents of children who have disabilities, and the switch from being the caretaker to being cared for by Susan at the age of 85.

This podcast would not be possible without funding from the Department of Social Services (DSS) as part of our Resource Hub.

SCIA's Resource Hub is a collection podcasts, videos and articles by people with disability for people with disability, their family, academics - anyone interested in learning more from the people who live it!

Credits
This episode has been written, produced and edited by Susan Wood. Logo art by Cobie Ann Moore.

Spinal Cord Injuries Australia is a for-purpose organisation that supports people with a spinal cord injury and other neurological conditions. For more information about our supports and services, visit our Resource Hub at https://scia.org.au/resource-hub/.