This year, we joined forces with Cindy and Daz Breakfast Show on BuzzzFM, creating a partnership that has opened the door to something truly special.
Through this collaboration, we’ve had the privilege of working with a group of inspiring individuals with disabilities who are developing skills in media, broadcasting and content creation. As part of their learning journey they have been exploring the art of storytelling through blog writing.
We invited the team to write a blog that we would publish for them and these stories have something for us all.
They chose the deeply personal topic: How I back myself.
For many of us, sharing our thoughts and experiences isn’t always easy. Confidence looks different for everyone and so does the journey of finding it. That’s what makes this collection of stories so special.
As you read through these stories please remember that disability is not one-size-fits-all. Every person has different strengths, abilities, communication styles and support needs. Some writers needed a little assistance, some absolutely nailed the brief and others took the topic in their own unique direction.
Every contribution reflects genuine effort, courage and personality.
I’ve chosen not to heavily edit these pieces because I believe the heart of each story lies in the individual’s own words. The spelling, phrasing, humour, honesty and unique perspectives are all part of what makes these stories so authentic and meaningful.
What you’ll read below isn’t just about confidence. It’s about courage.
It’s about trying new things, asking for help, overcoming fears, celebrating wins and continuing to show up even when life feels challenging.
Most importantly it’s about real people sharing what it means to believe in themselves while navigating life with disability.
I couldn’t be prouder of these beautiful humans who contributed and of Cindy who leads the team.
I hope you enjoy their stories as much as I have enjoyed reading and celebrating them.
Say hello to the team from Umbrella Support.
How I back myself!
Success doesn’t always start with confidence.
Sometimes it starts with simply deciding to back yourself, even when you’re unsure.
In a world full of opinions, comparison, and self doubt, believing in your own abilities can feel harder than ever. But backing yourself is what pushes you to take chances, speak up, chase goals and grow into the person you want to become.
This blog is all about learning to trust yourself, embrace your strengths and keep showing up for your dreams, even when things feel uncertain whilst living with disability.
Honestly, I struggle with backing myself, I lack confidence, I’m not sure if it is due to my disability or the bullying I have endured in my life, or maybe it’s because I have a lot of empathy for other people and I care for them more than myself. But in saying that I’m in my thirties, and I’m now learning with the help of my support workers and other supports on my side, how to back myself.
I’m learning how to have more confidence within myself. It’s a tough learning lesson and it’ll probably take ages to learn.
One of my biggest confidence boosts I’ve had was when I had someone on my side to get my driver’s licence. As far as I knew I couldn’t do it, but the person on my side had confidence in me and told me how my life would change, and the freedom I’ll get.
It did take me until I was 31/32 to actually pass my license and I couldn’t be happier.
Another backing myself situation was maybe when I was 26/27 when I asked for help for my mental health, because I knew what I was feeling and thinking back then wasn’t right. So I asked for help, again. I did that on my own, but again I’m happy I did it because I had people helping me and believing in me when I couldn’t.
Since then, I have had several different people on my side, and sometimes I take one step forward, two steps back, but that’s okay. As long as you’ve got people who support and guide you to keep going forward.
I know this blog is about backing yourself and having confidence, but I’m actually okay to say that I don’t have much confidence. I’m still learning how to back myself and it’s okay to go at a slow pace, life isn’t a race. Because it’s everyone’s first time living, we are all learning everyday.
I don’t 100% back myself or have a lot of confidence, but again I’m happy to say this.
Without all of the supports from when I was 27 until now, I would probably still be a turtle hiding my head in its shell. So it’s okay to have people helping you to believe in yourself and to gain confidence and to help you to back yourself.
– Haley
I am a superstar and l am very confident in the things I do but sometimes things can get a little tricky.
At the start of this year, I joined the Reach Employment Program at Umbrella Support where we run a cafe. It was very scary at the start because everything was new to me.
I encouraged myself to learn with the help of my support workers. I’ve learnt so many things like making coffee, servicing customers and giving change. I love making coffee and I know that even when things can be scary I can do it because I’m amazing.
On Thursday’s in media I can get pretty nervous interviewing people in front of the camera, but I make sure I do it and I’m so proud of myself after. I also make sure I help around the house because I’m the best daughter. I like helping mum do the dishes, cleaning my room and looking after my dog Bella Boo. I know that I am very capable to do these things and I enjoy it.
I will always back myself and believe in myself because I’m amazing.
– This is Princess Claire signing off
I am brave, and I am confident.
Escalators are scary for me, or should I say they *were* scary for me. They aren’t so scary now. At the start of the year, when I’d go on the escalators, I would hold my support worker Sheridan’s hand. Sometimes I wouldn’t get on at all, it was really hard to take that first step onto the escalator. Sometimes we’d need to take a different way, like a lift or a ramp, but not anymore! I prefer to go on the escalators now.
Sheridan encourages me to go on the escalators. She reminds me to tell myself, “I am brave.” Sheridan would tell me I am safe, I am capable, and I can do it!
Now I get on the escalators by myself. I tell myself I am brave. It’s not so scary anymore, and I’m happy to use the escalators to get to see more shops. I like to do it by myself now, but I do still like having Sheridan next to me.
I am very confident in saying I am brave and taking that step onto the escalator by myself. I even got on before Sheridan last week!
When I go on the escalators with my mum, I still hold her hand. I still like to hold her hand. Next, I’d like to work on going by myself with my mum. I also hold my sister’s hand, and I’d like to try not holding her hand too.
Sometimes if I overthink it too much, it’s hard to get on. So it’s good to be confident and brave, take the first step, and get on the escalator!
– This is Ronalda signing off
I like my work in the cafe and I like to hang out with my friends because they’re nice people. I have fun with my good friends, sometimes they’re troublemakers (in a fun and safe way).
I also have fun with one of my support workers Daz at the movies. It’s best we go for a scary movie me and Daz. He jumped three times last time and I laughed and laughed.
I didn’t always like scary movies but I know they aren’t real and that’s what makes them not too scary for me. I can back myself knowing I am brave.
– TJ
I would like to start my blog by saying that I’m backing myself by doing this blog today, as I am currently writing this blog while travelling to the airport. Just because I am not at blogging, doesn’t mean I can’t participate in blogging!
I know that I can do the things that I love and I can also do the things that I may not be as enthusiastic to do. I just need to give it a go and use kind words towards myself, and I will get through it!
In life I think everyone is battling something. Unknowingly we are all battling together and facing adversity in our own unique ways. It can be a bit of a challenge and at times it’s like you are continuously battling and feeling like you’re alone in this battle.
Please know that even when you feel alone that you’re not alone and you are loved my friend.
I know that when I’m faced with adversity that I can always ask for help and advice to get through it, my strength is in the way I deal with anything that gets thrown my way and knowing that I have support and can support others.
While I am much better at standing up for and helping others, I know that I deserve to be heard and am worthy of everything good and kind in life. As is everyone else in this world.
Backing myself and others in any situation is important because there are many times in my past that I, and others have been dismissed especially when it comes to mental health and having a disability. I find that speaking up for myself and kind self-talk is helpful in these situations.
I know that I’m brave, strong, worthy, enough and important in this life. No one person is more deserving or more important in this life.
If something is wrong or unfair towards myself or anyone else my voice will be heard! While I feel it’s important to lead with kindness and encourage myself and others, I will not be made to feel like I’m not worthy of having my voice heard.
Thank you for reading our blogs! Sending you our readers love and kindness!
– Your friend, Shan
On Monday I was really good for making 3D animations. I like drawing the character to make sure it looks like the Minecraft animation from Villager News.
I wasn’t always so clever to do these things but with practice I got better.
On Tuesday I asked my teacher, and guess what? I’m going to make something like Tim Burton but first I need the big clay figurines from the stop motion. I need the set up to make sure it’s spooky and I’m going to be clever to do that, but it is so long to make things.
We went to the shops to buy some stuff. I like buying many games, all that stuff.
I am also trying for my driving practice test on a week off, I will back myself to try my best.
– Korey
Dear readers, this week’s topic is about confidence being key. Let me start by telling you about how confidence is key in anything you do.
Readers I have a question, what do you think I mean when I say confidence is key?
I remember so many times I needed to be my own cheerleader and gave myself a confidence booster, like the first time I started to learn to drive or when I got my new job in a busy bistro kitchen. I told myself “I’ve got this” and to breathe but sometimes I still feel anxious which I know is ok.
Readers, I have another question, did you ever need to be your own cheerleader?
– Written by Charlotte
My idea of fun is working on colourful designs and printing them on clothes. This is my happy place where I feel confident in knowing I am making what I love and sharing with the community.
My growth in confidence by being able to do this has made my life different in such a good way.
It makes me proud to write about it.
– Ben
This is how I encourage myself:
I love my job.
I stay motivated by keeping my hands busy and pulling things apart.
I have been working at the tip for a few years now. I wasn’t nervous at first and have only enjoyed it more and more. I work best by pulling things apart and then putting it all back together again, it helps me to learn. I have a mechanical mind.
I back myself every day and people who I work with are also encouraging of me when I say “l know what I am doing”.
– Nick
Dear readers, how are you?
Today’s topic is being able to feel comfortable in my space, and how I back myself when I am not feeling comfortable.
I remember when I went to the hair salon to have my hair coloured, it was going to be purple because this is my favourite colour but they had to bleach my hair first. I sat at the hairdressers for two hours, but I knew that when my hair was done I would be so happy and feel beautiful and confident. So I did it anyway and am so glad I did.
I also remember when I was told that I was going to get braces on my teeth and that I felt very anxious not knowing what to expect. I went to the Royal Dental Hospital in Melbourne. My mum and I were there for a few hours and once they were on I felt a little sore in my mouth, but knowing that this will help with my teeth I was happy I had it done. I had to have medication before and afterwards for the discomfort and pain, which would last just a week or two.
I backed myself because I knew the outcome would be worth it.
Now not only do I love my hair style and braces I feel so confident and happy, (but I’m still getting used to the braces).
Readers, I shared some of the things I’ve overcome now tell me yours: What’s something you thought you couldn’t do but conquered? Let us know in the comments below we would love to know.
Thank you for reading my blog.
– This is Beth with a new hair style and more confidence each day. Love life, love yourself and love others.
Inspired by the power of “I can”?
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Because sometimes the most powerful thing we can do is remind someone of what they can achieve.