This week Simon and Andrew talk with Aaron Burnette about his experience living with Parkinson's Disease as April is Parkinson's Awareness Month. Parkinson's is a progressive, degenerative condition of the central nervous system that has no known causes or cure. The disease is complex, with more than 50 symptoms, and can often be misunderstood.

Aaron tells his story from being diagnosed in 2012 offering insight into the physical challenges, emotional adjustments and resilience required to keep moving forward. One of the ways Aaron stays both mentally and physically fit is by attending Fazio's PD Fighters; a boxing rehabilitation program for individuals with Parkinson's.

'Developed by former Australian Boxing Champion Rai Fazio and Neurologist Professor David Blacker, then backed by science from the Perron Institute and a published research paper in the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, this program blends powerful boxing techniques with targeted movement therapy tailored to the unique challenges of PD.' You can read, watch or listen to more about this program on their website here.

We hope you enjoyed this insightful discussion and personal perspective on an often misunderstood disease.

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This week on the show join Simon and Andrew as they chat to Joe Teakle about his career as a filmmaker and host of Film Talk on radio DADAA. He recounts his experience making the documentary 'Theatricality' (2024) for SBS and future plans for acting and film making.

His love of movies has expanded to hosting the show Film Talk on the newly launched Radio DADAA every Wednesday from 11am to 12pm (Perth Time). You can find the accessible website here to see program rosters and learn more. Joe's show discusses films, old and new, diving into stories, the production process and the state of the industry.

We also discuss how Joe's Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) affects his life currently and his goals for the future.

We hope you enjoy this episode and check out Rad Joe's new show.

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On this week's episode join Simon and Andrew as they chat to Cassandra Hughes, the CEO of Down Syndrome WA, about the importance of World Down Syndrome day. The day, this year on the 21st of March, is themed around the phrase 'together against loneliness' meant to combat social isolation and promote inclusion for individuals with Down Syndrome. The campaign highlights that true inclusion requires welcoming spaces, meaningful relationships, and active participation in community life.

If you'd like to be involved in World Down Syndrome day or make a donation you can click here.

We hope you enjoy listening to this insightful and uplifting conversation.

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This week on In Plain Sight join your hosts Simon and Andrew as they talk with Gaela Hilditch, the volunteer coordinator for the Perth Glaucoma Support Group. In her twenties Gaela was hit in the eye during a game of squash, which years later she discovered had been a trigger behind her glaucoma diagnosis. Since this discovery she has been a strong advocate for increasing awareness of the disease and understanding how it affects people.

Gaela says the "support group brings people out of isolation. You meet people with all kinds of challenges, you have a good laugh and you form friendships, it's very therapeutic." If untreated, Glaucoma can lead to blindness but there are many forms of treatment which, if detected early enough, can stop the effects permanently. World Glaucoma Week exists as a reminder to get tested and monitor issues with sight.

Gaela reminds us that support is vital when learning to live and thrive with a disease like Glaucoma. Support groups can help alleviate anxieties and fears around sight loss and give advice for daily life.

If you'd like to learn more you can visit the Glaucoma Australia website here.

During Glaucoma week don't forget to use the hashtags #GlaucomaWeek and #SavingSight

You can click here to learn how you can help save sight.

If you're interested in joining the support group you can find Gaela's contact details here.

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Grinding out a career as “That Blind Guy”.

Karan Nagrani, known online as "That Blind Guy," is a Melbourne-based disability advocate, content creator, and 2025 Midsumma Festival Community Ambassador.
Karan shares his story of how he moved from denial to pride: appreciation and awareness for who he is, and his acknowledgement of the complexities of identity and belonging.

Karan is a proud & loud Gay Man, who also happens to be Legally Blind an have Usher Syndrome, he has less than 3% vision remaining and partial hearing loss.
He is a very active person on Social Media, under the title of “That Blind Guy”, and uses his platform to promote inclusion, social change, and accessible workplaces.

Advocacy & Content: Karan identifies as a gay man of color with a disability. He uses his Instagram (@that.blind.guy) and personal website to share humorous, raw, and educational content.
Which has also led to a theatre show called; - ``FROM GRINDR TO BLINDR``.
A bold comedy show that dives into dating, identity and disability through the eyes of a blind, gay person of colour, mixing razor-sharp humour with raw, honest storytelling about losing sight, finding self-acceptance, and seeing the world in a whole new way.

A fascinating and fun conversation with a dynamic person with many strings to his bow.
Karan’s story is interesting, informative and entertaining.

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Due to complications with Type 1 Diabetes Colleen was in need of a heart transplant, and now as a transplant recipient she is fully energised and bright zest for life.
She has also taken on board all the knowledge she has acquired through the numerous significant events she has experienced to sharing her story of resilience in the hope it will help, inspire and encourage people to appreciate what they have and what they can achieve.

Colleen’s motto, “Where there is a will, there is a way” and “Life rewards action”, seems to work wel for her as she has done and achieved a lot in her busy life.
With two published books: Memoir: ‘I Can See Clearly Now – the soundtrack of my life’, and, “Ya gotta laugh” an anecdotal book on life since losing sight, Colleen has found she has a real knack for telling a great story: & I’m glad she shared some of it with us here.

Join us to here Colleen share her enthusiasm for life and living it to the full and as she says;
“Been active throughout my entire life never letting diabetes get in the way and so now I was not going to let having a heart transplant and losing sight do that to me either.”.

Colleen is also a passionate sportsperson, initially with swimming, and now with Tandem Cycling.
She is currently the Chairperson of WATCAC (Western Australia Tandem Cycling Advisory Council).

Quiz night to raise money for WATCAC, for tandem cycling for vision impaired:
Saturday, Apr 18 from 6 pm to 9:30 pm
At: - Telethon Speech & Hearing CentreWembley, WA
Link to info here:
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/watcac-quiz-night-tickets-1982666820833?aff=oddtdtcreator

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There's more to Geraldine than meets the eye.

This week Simon chats to Geraldine Lane, a dog guide and wheelchair user, and Matt Wood, a Seeing Eye Dog instructor; about the importance of having a service dog and the confidence they bring.

When Geraldine's health was affected by a lung disease she was seriously concerned that her independence and physical activity would be restricted, not necessarily by having to use a wheelchair, but by not being able to use a Seeing Eye Dog. Geraldine reached out to Matt and the team at Seeing Eye Dogs Australia (SEDA) who are implementing a program to train dogs to serve wheelchair users. With the help of her dog, Noodle, she has regained confidence and freedom of movement to complete everyday activities.

Please remember the golden rule with Service Dogs is that when they're in the harness, they are working and should not be disturbed. We hope you enjoy this informative and inspirational episode.

Seeing Eye Dogs Australia relies on support and donations. Click the link if you're interested in sponsoring a puppy.

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On this week's episode Simon has a chat with Paralympian and project officer at Rebound WA Natalie Alexander. Natalie discusses her wheelchair basketball career from winning silver in the U25 World Championships in 2011 and 2015 to competing in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

She uses her passion for sport, community and resilience in her Project Officer role at Rebound WA, a not-for-profit organisation that helps people with physical disabilities engage in sport and recreation opportunities. Natalie chats with Simon about how wheelchair basketball operates, her role at Rebound WA and the joy of helping people find themselves and community through sport.

If you're interested in learning more about Rebound WA you can click here to get involved.

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