Engaging Conversations | Inspiring Dialogue, Empowering Communities
Welcome to Engaging Conversations, the podcast that connects you with the pulse of our local communities.
Hosted by Leon Goltsman, Co-Founder of Ecolibrium Headquarters (EcoHQ), each episode invites you on an inspiring journey into the stories that shape and uplift our neighbourhoods.
From visionary leaders and industry experts to everyday heroes making a difference, Engaging Conversations offers an exclusive look into our society’s diverse and dynamic fabric. This podcast is your gateway to broadening your perspective, building meaningful connections, and being inspired.
Please note that the views and opinions expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or EcoHQ. The discussions in this podcast are for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered professional, financial, medical, or legal advice. Listeners are encouraged to seek independent professional advice before making any decisions based on the content of this podcast.
Tune in, join the conversation, and discover the people, places, and purpose driving positive change.
Engaging Conversations | Inspiring Dialogue, Empowering Communities
#12 - Empowering Voices: Wendi's Journey from Banking to Disability Advocacy
Discover the inspiring journey of Wendi Czislowski, a passionate advocate for people with disabilities. She shares her remarkable transition from the world of banking to the heart of disability support. Wendi opens up about the transformative power of words and the critical role communication plays in advocating for those who cannot speak for themselves. Listen as Wendi emphasises the profound impact of language and challenges us to choose our words carefully, creating a culture of respect and dignity for everyone, especially individuals with disabilities.
Embark on a journey through the challenges and opportunities facing the disability support community, particularly in Lake Macquarie, New South Wales. We examine the complexities of navigating the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and the crucial need for consistent therapy services amidst high turnover rates. Wendi's insights reveal how breaking down stereotypes and promoting inclusive language can transform communities. She encourages us to engage in meaningful conversations and volunteer, highlighting how these actions can lead to greater understanding and inclusivity.
Get inspired by stories of empowerment and community building as Wendi shares heartwarming examples of individuals with disabilities finding independence and joy. We explore the broader responsibilities of support workers and the potential for local businesses and schools to embrace inclusivity through education and employment opportunities. Wendi's dedication is a call to action, urging us to support one another and create stronger, kinder communities.
Connect with Wendi
• Mobile: 0437-032-948
• Email: wendijc1973@gmail.com
Thank you for listening!
Good morning, good afternoon or good evening, wherever you are in the world, and welcome back to another episode of Engaging Conversations. This is the podcast where we don't just talk. We dive into meaningful dialogues with inspiring people who are creating change and making a real impact. I'm your host, leon Goltsman, and today's episode is proudly brought to you by Lake Mac Business Focus, celebrating individuals and businesses who uplift communities through their passion and purpose. Now let me ask you something. What does it really mean to be an advocate? Is it standing up for others when it's easy, or does it mean stepping up when it's hard, even when no one else will? That question has been on my mind and it perfectly sums up the incredible work of today's guest.
Leon Goltsman:Today, I am honoured to introduce to you Wendi Shelofsky, a powerhouse advocate who has dedicated her life to helping people with disabilities and those who can't advocate for themselves. Originally from Queensland, Wendi has recently settled in Lake Macquarie and within her first week, she's already making a difference. Whether it's championing inclusion or challenging us to rethink how we use language, Wendi's work is a testament to the power of action, compassion and community. In this episode, Wendi shares her journey, the challenges she's faced and the incredible lessons she's learned along the way. She's inspired me to reflect on how the words we choose can profoundly shape the lives of others, sometimes in ways we don't even realise. So, without further ado, let's dive into this uplifting and eye-opening conversation with Wendi Szczeslowski. Together, let's discover why knowing better means doing better.
Wendi Czislowski:My name is Wendi Shazlosky. I'm Queensland born. I've just moved to Lake Macquarie a week ago, not even a week ago and I'm excited to be here.
Leon Goltsman:Fantastic. Well, I think Lake Macquarie is excited to have you too. Would you just start by sharing a little bit about yourself and what inspired you to get into the disability support?
Wendi Czislowski:What inspired me to get into disability is not so much disability, I just wanted to help people. I wanted to have a more meaningful purpose in my working career. But little did I realize that it became not just my working career, it's my whole purpose in my life help others.
Leon Goltsman:And you do help a lot of people. So your background before you got into disability support, what sort of other work did you do that led you down this path?
Wendi Czislowski:The other work that I've done is I actually was in the bank for 15 years and then I went into retail retail management, customer service and that was the part of banking that I loved. It wasn't the actual banking side of things, it was just that customer service just seeing different customers every day whether it be business people or the people off the street, you know whoever and being able to connect with, with all sorts of people and, I suppose, people with disabilities.
Leon Goltsman:They can't always express themselves like most people can, so it's really important to be able to understand even when they don't speak a hundred percent.
Wendi Czislowski:You need to be able to understand and dive deeper into that person, to getting to know that person. When the communication isn't the typical communication of speaking there could be, you have to look for other ways that a person that is non-verbal can communicate with you. Growing up in Queensland and my parents quite traditional and I know my dad has a really strong work ethic and he has instilled that in all of us kids and being part of the community, like he helped build the first kindergarten in the suburb that we grew up in and that is something that he's really proud of even today and it just brought us into the community.
Leon Goltsman:So he's obviously very community orientated, without even being aware of that.
Wendi Czislowski:Yes.
Leon Goltsman:So we're talking about communication and understanding people. Can you talk about how language affects people with disabilities and why mindful words choice is so important?
Wendi Czislowski:I think language is so important, and it does have. It can have either negative or positive impact. You know that old saying you know sticks and stones and words will never hurt me. But words do hurt and words can be very disrespectful, and whether you have a disability or not, everybody deserves the same respect as each other for those listening who might have used language they didn't realize was hurtful.
Leon Goltsman:Um, and you know, some language could just be one simple throwaway word and and I could tell you, I've heard people say things, even calling somebody. You know, and I'm sorry, I hope I don't offend anybody, but I heard somebody refer to somebody as a, as a spastic or even a retard. Now they may say it in in humor, but there's a lot of damage done through that and and I do believe that it's important to call it out just have a think about what it really means to call somebody those those names.
Leon Goltsman:If we call somebody an idiot, for instance, right, the person can defend themselves, they can stand up for themselves. Some people might not like and walk away, but when you're talking about somebody with a disability, they can't defend themselves, they can't speak up for themselves. So what you're doing is, um, you're sticking up for these people, but why should anyone have to do that in the first place? Isn't it better if people were just more mindful?
Wendi Czislowski:it would be better if people are more mindful, and that's why we need to continue to pull people up. And there's there's no place for that word, our word, in today's language. There's no need for it. It's so archaic and disrespectful and we, as disability support workers, people forget and don't actually understand what their responsibility is. It's not just taking care of somebody or taking somebody out, it's advocating for them and fighting for their rights, because they can't fight themselves.
Leon Goltsman:I've personally heard in senior centres to refer to changing nappies in senior people. Now we know that nappies are what you change, what you put on babies, so how do you feel about that?
Wendi Czislowski:I hate the word nappies when we're talking about adults, like it's just again, there's no place for that or bibs I hear people say that all the time as well, and you know they're clothing protectors because they're used when someone's having a meal to protect their clothes. So that's what I would call them, and the nappies are what we put on our babies, and for adults it would be an incontinence pad or incontinence aid or just a pad, or just a pad simple.
Leon Goltsman:The lesson here obviously is for people to be a little bit more mindful, and a little bit of mindfulness can go a long, long way.
Wendi Czislowski:Absolutely, and you do need to be mindful. And it just becomes a habit then, and I've seen it in my staff even, and I've pulled them up and now they don't even they'll stop, have a second thought about what they're saying, and now it's just like it's a normal thing, because they know that those words are inappropriate.
Leon Goltsman:And I've had to pull myself up quite a few times as well, not because I'm in any harm by it, but having these conversations and being pulled up myself in few times as well, not because I meant any harm by it. But you know, having these conversations and being pulled up myself in previous times, you realize that even somebody with the best intentions can sometimes let certain words slip out of their mouth.
Wendi Czislowski:Once they're out, they're out, you can't take them back um, ways that I can see things changing is even in in a group home, like signs up on their the clients bedroom doors, like personal care plans and you know cough etiquette in the lounge rooms and all of this sort of thing that looks even though the institutions have closed down, it's still an institutionalized group home. Anyone, anyone that walks past a house, a group home sorry shouldn't know that people with disabilities live there. It should just be like everybody else's home.
Wendi Czislowski:I managed this group home recently, while another manager was on holidays and one of the clients didn't have a door on her cupboard and it had been. I, the staff, like about it and he just said it had been like that forever and I said, well, has anyone put you know, arsling housing to fix it? No one, no one, um, could even be bothered to fix that. Why shouldn't this client deserve a beautiful environment to live in?
Leon Goltsman:So what I'm hearing is that because somebody's got special needs or someone's got a disability, they're not treated with the same respect as someone who wouldn't.
Wendi Czislowski:That's exactly right. And you know what's the most? The difficult thing for me to get my head around is that the people that work in the industry are allowing this to happen, or even making this happen or not happen. If we in the sector aren't advocating or aren't fighting for a high standard for the people with disabilities, how are the community society going to get better? We all have a part to play, and especially those who work in the sector. Their responsibility as well to change the language of the community and the society, because that's our job as support workers to actually be the social change and to make people aware well, we all have roles and responsibilities and, uh, and what I'm hearing from you now is that looking after people with special needs and disabilities.
Leon Goltsman:You know, one of their roles, even though it may not even be specified in their work conditions, is they are ambassadors, and and it's not just for the organization, it's for the people.
Wendi Czislowski:That's absolutely right, and it isn't about making money or making a difference for the organization. Even if they made a difference for that one person, just by putting a door on someone's cupboard is making a difference in their life.
Leon Goltsman:If everything was only that simple. And you know what Sometimes it is it is that simple.
Wendi Czislowski:It is that simple, as simple as if someone's going out to a cafe.
Leon Goltsman:Let's move on to Lake Macquarie, Nice, beautiful part of the world regional New South Wales, Lower Hunter, You're bringing your expertise to a new community. What do you think are some specific challenges in promoting respectful language and support for people with disabilities here?
Wendi Czislowski:I think there is limited services here in Lake Macquarie. I also think that there's a lot of people with disabilities still living at home with their parents and the parents and the child with disability. They just don't know how to access what is available to them. Ndis has been around for quite a few years and there's still parents that do not know what they can access and how they can use their funding to the benefit of the child.
Leon Goltsman:Well, a lot of the people who do sign up for NDIS. It's not that straightforward either.
Wendi Czislowski:It's not straightforward, definitely Like there's so many different categories of funding and you know people just don't know how to access that and to get the most out of what they do receive from the NDIS. You know, there was something that I saw recently and it said why are we teaching our children with disabilities how to talk or speak, when we actually should be teaching the children without disabilities how to speak to those disabilities? And I think that comes from education and schooling and, if we can blend the two together, maybe put more volunteer school-age kids into day programs to help and desensitise the community around people with disabilities. I mean, it's only been the last few decades that people with disabilities have actually been in the community. They were just hidden away in institutions forever 50 years ago. I have had parents tell me that their child was born with a disability. The doctors literally said put her in a home and never see her again. Just walk away from the hospital and just put her in a home the sad thing is, though, it still happens in many countries.
Leon Goltsman:So Australia still seems to be the leading country in the way that we look after people with disabilities, and yet we still seem so far behind when it comes to training people our own.
Wendi Czislowski:I definitely agree. Australia is the leader of the world in the way that we treat our most vulnerable people and it's something that we should be proud of. But also there is still such a long way to go. And you know, and that's compared to some other countries that just treat their people terribly like inhumanely, I think, just constantly talking about it, pulling people up, integrating you know, people with disabilities with school kids, volunteer integrating. You know people with disabilities with school kids, volunteer communities you know, whatever it takes to continue that growth will be beneficial for everybody. So one of the things I'd like to see change is to remove the stereotype of people with disabilities. Just because somebody may be non-verbal or uses a wheelchair, it doesn't mean they're not capable of working or doing whatever goals that they want to achieve. So we want to see people function and contribute to the community, and one of the ways to achieve that is by not stereotyping people with disabilities.
Wendi Czislowski:There's a big wait list for behaviour therapists especially, and there seems to be a high turnover of staffing as well with OTs and physios. I've had clients that they just keep changing their OTs because this person's left or this person's left, so it's really hard to get that consistency, and without consistency you won't be able to see the results. I actually had a family member say to me that her son connects with me so well and she said that is because you speak to him like a human being and that is so simple to do. For everybody to be able to do is just speak to people like you speaking to your friend or whoever, like they're. Just you know, we're all just the same on the inside. We've just been born with in different vehicles, you know, some people have, some people have visually impaired or have different challenges, but everybody wants to be spoken to just like an everyday person.
Leon Goltsman:Everyone's unique and everyone's an individual, so we could be talking about a lot of things and we're not just going to fix the world through one conversation, but having conversations are important, and one of the key takeaways is being mindful of the language that we use.
Wendi Czislowski:How we measure success in a society or a community is how we treat or support our most vulnerable, and we can do that by integrating more and also our language is very important.
Leon Goltsman:So, Wendi, for those listening who might have used language they didn't realise was hurtful, what advice would you give them? To become more mindful, moving forward?
Wendi Czislowski:Full of those languages moving forward, or those words, I think, self-reflect education when you know better, you do better. So just being aware, self-aware and pulling others up when you've, if you hear it as well well, pulling others up doesn't have to be so hard.
Leon Goltsman:It's like I don't like it when you talk like that. Do you mind that could just be as simple as that absolutely, or that word's not appropriate in 2024 or do you actually know what it means? Have you thought about that and that and that could be enough for them to go? Oh, actually I don't and that's exactly right.
Wendi Czislowski:I think people, especially of a generation I guess our generation you know as growing up in the 80s people would throw away these words all the time. So it's just not even knowing what it means, so it's just not appropriate to use now.
Leon Goltsman:And look, there's also other places that people can educate themselves. I mean, we've got YouTube, we've got internet, we've got so many resources online. But better still, volunteer at some of these centres or places. Pop in, I'm sure that there's always going to be somebody who's going to need some assistance, and even if you feel very generous, you can even give a donation as well.
Wendi Czislowski:I think volunteering is wonderful and just having conversations with people people with disabilities or support workers, anyone in the industry to get that knowledge and that feedback on how we can do better as a society.
Leon Goltsman:In your work, you've likely witnessed the effects of positive and respectful interactions. Wendi, can you share a moment when inclusive language made a difference in someone's life?
Wendi Czislowski:So a story that I have around language or just increasing someone's independence when one of the clients that lived in the group home, he was able to use a coffee machine and make his own coffee in the morning and then he wanted to make everybody a coffee and he was just such a you know, he called himself an independent man and it motivated and inspired him to just want to do more. Oh, I'm going to do the laundry now, Wendi, I want to make you a coffee. Coffee, Wendi. I can do that. I can do it by myself because I'm an independent man. Like it just motivated him to just want to keep doing more and learning more and doing better and not not only that, it's probably inspiring other people to do that as well.
Wendi Czislowski:Absolutely. He actually inspired his housemate to start doing the laundry as well, and just little domestic duties that they've never done before. Someone's done it for them, whereas doing things for yourself is all about creating independence. Whereas doing things for yourself is all about, you know, creating independence.
Leon Goltsman:So our whole purpose is to help people feel and become more independent.
Wendi Czislowski:Absolutely. The idea and the real, true essence of supporting people with disabilities is giving them a sense of purpose and independence, living a full, interactive life. Anything that we do, whether we have Facebook or whether we have our friends over in our homes, the people with disabilities should have access to exactly the same opportunities. So it's really important to advocate for people, to fight for people, to speak for people that can't speak for themselves, and I think, as a support worker, there is more to this role and there's more responsibility to this role than just, you know, taking someone to the movies or giving somebody a shower. We need to be thinking bigger than that and advocating for the independence of the people with disabilities.
Leon Goltsman:And I think when we're talking to others and they respond, it actually makes us feel better too.
Wendi Czislowski:It does make us feel better. So I got into this industry thinking that I was going to be the one that's helping people with disabilities, but in many cases over the past 10 years, it's people with disabilities that have helped me get through difficult times in my life by inspiring, bringing me joy and just having a laugh about something so simple and motivated me to keep going.
Leon Goltsman:You know it's funny. You said that because a couple of days ago I saw a clip. It was a social media clip and it was a young girl who received a heart from a transplant, or she was waiting for a heart, and she was so happy, you know, so happy they're going. I'm getting a new heart. I'm getting a new heart. I'm going to be able to love more and longer something along those lines, and I just thought you know what Everyday problems that we have are not really problems, are they your heart? I'm gonna, I'm gonna be able to love more and longer something along those lines, and I just thought you know what everyday problems that we have are not really problems, are they?
Wendi Czislowski:they're not problems, they go things. Everything's temporary, little things will just just go, go by. We fix problems all the time and then we wait for new problems to come. But things like the challenges that people with disabilities have to live with on a daily basis, so the challenges that people with disabilities have to live with every day, whether it be physical or mental, they're the heroes and we need to support our heroes.
Leon Goltsman:So how can local businesses, schools and community organisations contribute to more inclusive language and support for people with disabilities?
Wendi Czislowski:The way businesses and schools can contribute. Maybe programs in schools, campaign programs, programs to just. You know, education around people with disabilities. You know education around people with disabilities. People with disabilities could work in businesses, in local communities, in cafes or the shops, retail, having more inclusivity in our community, in our society.
Leon Goltsman:And perhaps the cafes might be able to employ more people with special needs. You know, as you mentioned, the independent man can make coffee. I think it would actually draw more people to a business, and not only does it help the people, it's actually good for the business.
Wendi Czislowski:It's so good for the business. Can you imagine being served your coffee by this smiling, gorgeous person with a disability? All your first world problems will disappear in that one cup of coffee, that one transaction.
Leon Goltsman:And coffees are meant to be bringing people closer together and spark conversations, so what better way, absolutely? For anyone considering a career in disability support? What advice would you give them on both respecting their clients and advocating for them within their communities?
Wendi Czislowski:I think a career in disability is a wonderful career and it can take you into many different branches. I think we need to be mindful that it is more than just taking care of somebody or cooking a meal for them. Our role is bigger than that, greater than that, and the importance of empathy is huge, and I've actually created some empathy training myself, which I've done with my team, and I paired them and I blindfolded one person and put that person in a hoist and hoisted them into bed. I put another person and this is my staff blindfold them, put them in the car, in a wheelchair, like just so they can really get a tiny bit of a feel about what it may be like for someone who's visually impaired in a wheelchair and just being taken.
Wendi Czislowski:They don't even know where they're going, and so the communicating with a person with a disability is really, really, really important. So if you're putting somebody in a hoist, for instance, to go into bed from their wheelchair, tell them what they're doing every step of the, what you're doing every step of the way so they know what's coming, because a lot of anxiety and mental health comes from not knowing what's coming next, and when you've got a disability, you're processing things a lot differently. Or you can't see, or you can't hear. You don't know what's happening.
Leon Goltsman:Our listeners are probably thinking oh, you're blindfolding them and you're tying them up and hoisting them away somewhere that they don't know where they're going. The rationale behind that is that you're giving a person an opportunity to experience what it's like in other people's shoes absolutely that's what it is.
Wendi Czislowski:It's giving a tiny bit of a taste like we'll never know what it's like to be in anyone else's body but our own, but it gives them a bit of an understanding to go okay. Well, yeah, I didn't know where we were going, so maybe when I'm supporting a person in that's visually impaired or in a wheel, uses a wheelchair, I will communicate with that person more. I'll give them more choice as well to where we're going or what we're doing. I'll just it does highlight more empathy and a better way of supporting a person with a disability.
Leon Goltsman:You're providing people a sense of security or a sense of trust.
Wendi Czislowski:A sense of trust and a sense of safety and a sense of security.
Leon Goltsman:And they're all the sort of things that will put people at ease.
Wendi Czislowski:Yes, we should all use respectful language around people with disabilities.
Leon Goltsman:I actually think we should be using respectful language around everybody.
Wendi Czislowski:Around everybody, yes, but we've done it in other sectors of the community, whether it be Indigenous or our LGBT community. Now we need to focus on the disability sector and doing that better, using better language around people with disabilities.
Leon Goltsman:And what better place to start than right now?
Wendi Czislowski:Right now.
Wendi Czislowski:Now, before I let you go, I want to look ahead and I want to know what your vision is, Wendi stronger, more inclusive community, involving a lot more education with our children and adults and community initiatives, but to also just keep moving forward and keep doing what we're all doing, what I'm doing, what you're doing. The future generations need to just continue to grow and be mindful, be empathetic, be inclusive and hold each other to account. Pull people up if they're using the wrong, outdated language, include people with disabilities in our conversations in the community. So every action has consequences and what we do today impacts what happens tomorrow.
Leon Goltsman:Wendi, I couldn't have said it better myself. Thank you very much for your time.
Wendi Czislowski:Thank you so much.
Leon Goltsman:Well, that's a wrap. What an inspiring and thought-provoking conversation we've just had with Wendi Shelofsky. Wendi is a shining example of what it means to be a true advocate, not just for people with disabilities, but for anyone who needs a voice. Her dedication to inclusion and her thoughtful approach to language reminds us all the profound impact of words and actions can have on others. When we support and uplift those around us, we're not just helping them, we're enriching our own lives, creating a cycle of happiness and fulfillment that ripples through our communities. Wendi work is a powerful call to action. We all have a part to play in strengthening our communities, and when we do so with kindness and intention, we help ourselves live more connected and meaningful lives. If you're inspired by what Wendi shared today and want to learn more about her incredible work, if you'd like to connect with her directly her contact details are in the show notes she's the perfect guy to help you discover more ways to get involved and make a difference.
Leon Goltsman:Now let me introduce you to next week's guest, someone who's truly revolutionising the way we work. Brad Woollett, the founder of difiniti, is a leader in AI automation and productivity solutions. His innovative technology is all about creating more time time you can use to focus on what truly matters, and I'm thrilled to share Brad's insights and vision with you in the next episode, and I promise it's one you won't want to miss. As always, if you have questions for Wendi or any of the previous guests, check out the show notes for ways to connect. I'm Leon Goltsman and I look forward to having you join us again next week. Until then, stay engaged, stay connected and let's keep making a difference together.
