How to start important conversations about disability, according to a Paralympian

Photo via @elizajane.ac on Instagram

Eliza Ault-Connell is no stranger to conversations about disability.

The Feros Care LAC (Local Area Coordinator), based in Canberra, had both legs amputated below the knee as a teenager after a bout of bacterial meningitis.

Eliza has since competed in para sports for over 20 years, including at various Paralympic and Commonwealth Games. She is also a mum to five children and has dedicated a lot of time to working towards a more inclusive, accessible and sustainable world.

With a new year having commenced, Eliza has some wonderful tips for how to start conversations about disability. This is a valuable read for all those who may battle misconceptions about disability, along with those who aren’t sure how to tackle potentially sensitive topics.

Remember - as people, we make all the difference

When coming to terms with her disability, Eliza knew her life was going to be different - she just wasn’t sure how it would map out. She enjoyed sport on a recreational level, and that soon became something bigger, leading to her competing in wheelchair track and road racing all over the world.

And while Eliza credits sport with playing a huge role in her recovery, she shares that the people around her were the most important thing.

“The people around me encouraged me and convinced me that my disability wouldn’t be a limiting factor,” Eliza says. “I’ve since been able to turn my disability into my greatest strength.”

Even if you don’t have a loved one with a disability, it’s important to remember just how important it is to support those with a disability getting exposure to the right opportunities.

“People are instrumental in allowing young people with disabilities to shape their future as they want to,” Eliza says. “And as a Local Area Coordinator, I’m enjoying connecting with the community and they are enjoying connecting with me.

“I’m passionate about providing them with some hope for the future, that they can operate within our community, have a voice and be heard - and operate effortlessly in a community and environment that is primarily geared towards able-bodied people.”

If you have a lack of understanding, getting involved is key

Photo via @elizajane.ac on Instagram

Eliza understands that not everyone is frequently exposed to people with a disability, and that some may be nervous about saying the wrong thing.

“It’s just about getting out and getting involved,” Eliza explains. “Introduce yourself to the community, such as a sporting group, and seek to make that connection for some way to support them. You only know what you know when you know it - and unless you connect, you don’t learn.

“It’s not a fantasy thing that you read about. They’re just humans, and they want to have the same human emotions and connections, opportunities to learn. There are many mutual opportunities to learn from each other.”

Eliza often features in webinars with words of encouragement, such as an Optus Leadership webinar on International Day of People with Disability in December 2021. She says it’s important for adults to have the opportunity to ask questions, especially those that they may feel nervous about asking.

“We don’t fear something once we’re educated. We’re not making assumptions or forming judgements on something we don’t know about,” Eliza adds. “I really appreciate being able to share my story and experiences, and the value that it can also provide to the organisation is great. Being able to show off my prosthetic or my wheelchair - I’m proud of the mobility they give me, there’s no reason why I would want to hide them.”

It’s important to teach children about disability

With five children, Eliza has been blessed in bringing her family into the world of para sport; exposing them early to people with a disability and what their life looks like on a day-to-day basis, outside of the usual perspective that everyone is able-bodied. She’s even been able to extend that learning into their classrooms.

“I’ve taken my prosthetic into my daughter’s class, and we decorated it with glitter and paint,” Eliza says. “It just helps to navigate school and people asking questions - like ‘why does your mum wear those funny legs?”

“You can have a bit of fun with it, I call myself a pirate peg leg mum, or say that I have a Barbie leg or a robot leg! The kicks they get from touching a prosthetic and passing it around!”

Eliza is now writing a children’s book about how differences are worth celebrating, seeing disability in a really positive way and as a healthy part of our community. If you have little ones, it’s great to encourage them to be curious about disability by reading books such as Eliza’s.

You may even look to try sports that are inclusive for everyone, such as wheelchair basketball.

“We love doing wheelchair basketball as a family! The shoe is on the other foot, it’s geared towards the community of people with a disability but is still inclusive for able-bodied family members,” Eliza laughs. “It helps develop understanding and encourages the family to participate in something together.”

Know that people with disability need to write their own futures

Photo via @elizajane.ac on Instagram

“For people with disability, their future doesn’t need to be dictated by preconceived ideas around what a person can and cannot do,” Eliza mentions. “It doesn’t have to be sport; it could be anything. It’s just about finding the strength that the person with disability has and allow them to shine in that area.”

Eliza credits being an NDIS participant with enabling her to gain more out of her own life; by accessing her prosthetics through the funding available, she can play an active role in her community.

Now, being on the other side as an LAC, she is excited to help other participants get the right services for their needs.

“It’s amazing that people now have access to funding to allow themselves to live a better life,” Eliza concludes. “I’ve seen the virtues of the NDIA firsthand, and I'm very grateful for that.”

Click here to find out more our NDIS partnership and our office in the ACT.