Chats From A Chair

In this episode, I chat with Thomas Delloiaco, as he shares the different types of difficult circumstances he has endured. He talks to me about the s*xual abuse that he suffered at a young age, we chat about the many years he spent battling addiction to meth, the events that led to him being sentenced to jail by a magistrate, how he reached 200kg in bodyweight and the way he was able to turn his life around to now have a positive outlook on life and a bright future.

In this episode, I chat with Jai Arrow about his diagnosis of MND at just 30 years old. We discuss the first signs that led to him seeking medical advice, how he handled the diagnosis while in the prime of his NRL career, he explains why he's choosing to fight his battle publicly, the surprising positive impact that it's had on him and we chat about how he found out that he was going to run out again for the Rabbitohs and reach the 100 game milestone for the club. All of this and much more.

In this episode, I chat with Karina Irby, as we discuss her experiences as the daughter of a quadriplegic. She takes us back to the moment that she watched her dad sustain the injury, she shares the moment she was told that her dad would never walk again, we explore the way that their relationship has developed, with their time together now more intentional and we chat about how this experience has given her a different outlook on life.

No topic is off limits as I answer questions put to me by all of you. My injury, rehab, support workers, sex, dating and relationships are all discussed in this tell all solo podcast.

In this episode, I speak with Declan Kluver as he shares details of the events that led to him making an attempt on his life. Experiencing a manic episode, Declan portrayed erratic behaviour that ultimately lead to a decision that still impacts him physically and emotionally to this day. This raw and honest recount of events is sure to leave you speechless.

In this episode, I speak with Sharni as she bravely shares her experiences of an abusive relationship. We explore the early warning signs that the behaviour wasn’t acceptable, the extent it reached, the moment she was held against her will and I ask the question, why didn’t you leave?

In this episode, I speak with Dr of psychology and fellow quadriplegic, Nicole Sugden. Nicole shares her vivid memory of the moment that she became paralysed, the challenges and rewards from her years of study to become a doctor of psychology, the travel adventures that she's been on, as well as I pick her brain with questions about psychology and human behaviour.

In this episode, I speak with Karly Campbell about her challenging and somewhat traumatic childhood and how she was able to overcome that to now own and run an NDIS community nursing company. We discuss her family dynamic, including the complex health conditions of family members and how the experiences associated with those conditions shaped her from a young age, the subtle but very important push that led her to study nursing, as well as how she now leans on her early experiences to be an effective and caring nurse as she runs her community nursing company.

In this episode, I chat with Taylor Peet about the day that a freak motorbike accident left her paralysed. We discuss the events leading up to her injury, including the subtle sign that things weren't quite right, how she has been able to regain her identity since paralysis, we discuss the emotions that she experienced getting back on a motorbike again and she shares the simple act that has changed her life since her injury.

In this episode, I speak with Darcy Cogdale about his battle with substance abuse, his time spent in jail and the family tragedy that made him turn his life around and make his family proud. Darcy is incredibly open and honest about his past, as we discuss the way that he helps people get sober today.

In this episode, I speak with Fletch Crowley about the day that he attempted a double backflip that resulted in paralysis. We chat about why he was so determined to land the difficult trick, his attitude towards his disability since the start, we explore some of the extreme and relatively dangerous activities he still gets up to these days and how the support from his friends has allowed him to continue to live an adrenaline fueled life, including an overseas trip that he has booked with very minimal planning.

In this episode I speak with my dad, Peter Dempsey about the day that he was buried alive. We discuss the events leading up to the moment a trench caved in on him, what was going through his head while he was trapped and struggling to breathe, the very lucky hat that led to him being rescued, as well as exploring the way it still impacts him over 30 years later.

I speak with Sam Rose, as she opens up about her and her older sister both being diagnosed with a rare, inherited neurological disorder known as Friedreich's Ataxia. We discuss the events that led to the surprising diagnosis, how she feels watching her sister progressively get worse, the way that she expresses her sexuality online, her use of sex workers and how she makes the most of every day as she lives with "1 foot in the grave."

In this episode, I speak with Theresa Rongonui about the day that her daughter, Anamia, became a quadriplegic. We discuss the events that led to the innocent yet devastating accident, the reaction of family members that witnessed it happen, the significant role that their Māori culture and spiritual beliefs have played in their journey thus far, as well as the way that they are now trying to use their experience to give back to people in need.

I chat with Dan Boardman, who has been a support worker for a ventilated quadriplegic since he was 21 years old. We chat about the rewards and challenges associated with working so closely with someone in their own home, some of the close calls they have had with the ventilator disconnecting, the emotional support they provide for each other and the importance of having interests outside of the workplace.

I chat with Matt Greer, who was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, commonly referred to as MS, 20 years ago. We discuss the early signs that led to his diagnosis, the emotional toll when noticing changes from a degenerative disease, the impact on his family life and how he has adopted his positive attitude and making the most out of life.

In this episode, I speak with former NRL player, now ventilated quadriplegic, Nathan Stapleton. We chat about his life as a professional athlete, how he sustained an injury that resulted in him now relying on a ventilator to breathe, how he has adapted to fatherhood as a quadriplegic and how he has been able to return to work on his farm but in a different capacity.

A unique 2 in 1 episode where psychosexual therapist, Candice Care-Unger interviews me about my experiences with sex, dating and relationships as a quadriplegic and then I chat to her about her work as a clinical psychosexual therapist, working with people with disabilities. Nothing is off limits in this chat.

In this episode I chat with Michelle Massey, owner of a disability travel company called Amplify: Accessible Travel Specialists. We discuss the different range of disabilities that she has worked with to help travel, things you need to plan for when travelling with a disability, some of the more significant problems that they have had to overcome, memorable experiences they have helped create and we chat about some of the more surprising locations around the world that have a high level of accessibility.

In this episode, I speak with Hayley Grantham who sustained a stroke just 12 months ago, 13 years after her husband also had a stroke. Hayley shares the details of the day leading up to her stroke, the difference between watching and helping someone you love go through recovery compared to going through it yourself, the way it has changed the dynamic of their relationship and how her daughter is able to support her and make light of some situations to aid her in her recovery.