gwunspoken - Beyond the Plan
gwunspoken: Beyond the Plan
Hear the person beyond the plan.
This podcast is where NDIS participants, families, and supporters reclaim their narrative. We dive into life beyond the diagnosis, beyond the reports, and beyond the plans—exploring identity, strength, and voice.
Whether you're a parent seeking connection, a support worker craving understanding, or someone walking their own NDIS journey, this space is for you.
Because labels don’t define people—stories do.
gwunspoken - Beyond the Plan
Life doesn't stop when your legs do: A teen's perspective on resilience
Welcome to an edition of GW Unspoken Connect Beyond the Plan, and I've got a very special first time guest on the show. I've got Declan. How are you mate?
Speaker 2:Good.
Speaker 1:Mate, I've only met you probably twice before, and last time I think we got some fish and chips. That took us like 16 hours to get up.
Speaker 2:I reckon a bit longer.
Speaker 1:It was a long time, wasn't it? All right, mate, now we're going to get to know you on the show, because people can't see us. So, um, out of five, five being awesome, one being terrible. How you feeling right now?
Speaker 2:about a, about a three and a half about three and a half bit over half.
Speaker 1:Okay, had a nice little lunch there. I noticed before, yeah, you dominated, that that was good. Um, and then give me something that you're really grateful for at the moment. What's something you're really happy for at the moment?
Speaker 2:oh, that's a hard question.
Speaker 1:I actually like the time you're taking to think about this one. This is good, just life in general yeah, happy to be alive, yeah, yeah, good, all right. Well, let's go back. I want to talk to you really quickly about life with Declan. Tell me about. You're in high school now, right, grade seven, yeah grade seven. Tell me about primary school. What's your memories of primary school? What do you like about?
Speaker 2:it, it's all right.
Speaker 1:Yeah, what was the best thing about primary school?
Speaker 1:Probably that you didn't have to move classes yeah, yeah yeah, you just stay in the same sport yeah, same sort of teacher, unless you had like music or pee or something yeah was there much bullying in primary school? No, no, it was pretty good, pretty chill all right. Now let's talk about high school, because I know most teenagers I have on the show will say to me no one likes high school, gary, or no one likes school Gary. What's your comment going to be if I said what's high school like?
Speaker 2:Besides the work, it's better than primary.
Speaker 1:Oh, is it? Yeah, I didn't expect you to say that. Well, apart from the work, what's good about your mates? Yeah, all right, here's a's good about your mates.
Speaker 2:Yeah, all right, here's a tough one, yeah.
Speaker 1:Here's a tough one If I said to you I'm taking your mates away and your lunchtime away how good's school.
Speaker 2:About a negative five. That's awesome.
Speaker 1:All right, so tell me at least, then We'll finish with a positive. What's one subject or two subjects you do like at high school? Hp and Visual arts Okay so more of the sort of hands on practical ones. Yeah, alright, now let's go there. So you talked about hpe, so obviously, like the practical element, there's something you're involved with now that I'm really curious about, and I've been trying to hassle you about being a manager for already today. Yep, what's, what's this?
Speaker 1:wheelchair rugby now tell me, how does that? Do you just smash people like how does it work? It work. How do you score a try? People who haven't heard about it, how do you play?
Speaker 2:There are two markers because you play on a basketball court.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:But there are two markers on each side and you have to carry the ball in your lap and go through the enemy's one to score a try.
Speaker 1:Okay, and so how do you prevent someone scoring a try?
Speaker 2:Smash into them.
Speaker 1:Why did you smile when I said that? So when you get hit with another wheelchair, do you have like five seconds to get rid of the ball?
Speaker 2:No, you can just keep going. You can slap the ball out of their lap.
Speaker 1:Okay, so I'm a bit naive with this, even though I'm a PE teacher. So if I've got the ball in my lap and I'm cruising and some person hits me and I'm on one knee wheel and I can keep going, until?
Speaker 2:Yeah, you can keep going. You just have a time rule. I think, it's like 8, 10 seconds or something like that oh to score. No, no, no, it's just to carry it. So you seconds or something like that. Oh, to score? No, no, it's just to carry it. So, okay, you have like 10 seconds and if you don't like, do like like a little drop onto the ground and catch it back or pass yeah, change over. I've never seen it happen okay have you scored a try yet? Yeah, a couple of them oh nice.
Speaker 1:And do you use a football or how do you use it?
Speaker 2:Oh, it's a volleyball.
Speaker 1:Oh, so it bounces up easier. Have you ever put a good shot on yet Whack?
Speaker 2:Oh yeah, like a big hit.
Speaker 1:Okay, so here's a question for you Do you in your game? You've only had a couple of games, yes, yeah, a couple. Do you like wheeling with the ball, or do you like putting a shot on the most?
Speaker 2:It's a bit nervous when you're going with the ball, because I've seen a couple of people tip over.
Speaker 1:Right over.
Speaker 2:Yeah, so if you get hit on a weird angle, you'll just go sideways. What the hell? There are people there to pick you up. Okay, that's the most nervous part for me, if you get hit wrong you just flip over.
Speaker 1:Okay, well, look, you must be going.
Speaker 1:okay because, well, more than okay, because when I first came here and asked you about it, because, last time I was here a couple of weeks ago, we were doing with the other support worker, we were doing some training, and you were smashing it up to the fish and chips and back and I was proud of you, I couldn't believe it, even with the heavy wind that was blowing that day. And you're saying, no, I'm getting fit for this. But you've had two games and now someone's approached you or approached mum.
Speaker 2:It was the first time.
Speaker 1:The first game they approached mum.
Speaker 2:Yeah, they approached mum. Yeah, they approached mum and they were like I can't really remember, but they put me into the Genius League.
Speaker 1:So what does that mean?
Speaker 2:It's like the.
Speaker 1:Does that mean people are looking at you as a talent scout and stuff? I don't know, fuck.
Speaker 2:It's just the juniors league. You know how footy has juniors league yeah. It's just juniors league.
Speaker 1:Yeah, but isn't it?
Speaker 2:So when I'm a senior I can go up to the Paralympics, and that that's cool. Yeah, wasn't he the Australian coach, or?
Speaker 1:something I can go up to the Paralympics and that that's cool. Yeah, wasn't he like the Australian coach, or something?
Speaker 2:Oh, Damien, Damien something.
Speaker 1:All right, shout out to your Damien. Yeah, so he saw you and talked to mum about you.
Speaker 2:Yeah, because he's not the junior coach, he's the. He's like the men's national.
Speaker 1:Okay, here's a true-false question. Yeah, Now this podcast is called Unspoken, which means you've got to tell the truth. Okay, are you ready for this?
Speaker 2:Okay, yeah, here's a question.
Speaker 1:Is it true that Damien came up to mum and said Declan's going to be a superstar, he's going to need a manager, and I suggest someone with two R's in his name, starting with G, should be a great mentor and someone who can carry his bags and wear an Australian tracksuit for free.
Speaker 2:Yes, yes.
Speaker 1:Why is he laughing when he says this? Okay, here's a question for you. Would it be actually a dream of yours to make the national team?
Speaker 2:I guess it would.
Speaker 1:Well, if you love a sport, yeah.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:All right, and so for anyone else who's listening out there what days do you play?
Speaker 2:Oh, I just do Thursdays.
Speaker 1:Yeah, sunny Coast.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:Because you're based at Briby. Here, aren't you?
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:Briby yeah, nice, yeah, all right. Okay, so assuming we're going to go for a fish, Yep. All right, I want to ask this personal question and it's up to you whether you want to disclose or not. Wheelchair, you want to quickly chat about how it happened, what happened?
Speaker 2:Oh so.
Speaker 1:It's very brave of you to openly say this, but there's a lot of people that you'll positively impact if you can be open.
Speaker 2:If I can say what it was fact, if you can be open, if I can say what it was so I think I had a artaneous venous malformation which is a tangle of blood vessels, yeah, like in my spinal cord. Yeah, that was what? 2020? I think it was just before or after COVID.
Speaker 1:Yep, yep, probably right in the middle of COVID there, yeah.
Speaker 2:No 2020?
Speaker 1:Yeah, I think towards the end. Yeah, you're right.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:And so how did you get that condition? If you call it a condition Like, how did you get it?
Speaker 2:Is it because you had an injury earlier? Yeah, Let me see look, do you have to have an accident or something that to happen? No, it's because it, um, because most of the time people who have it, they just drop dead from like getting hit oh gosh, if they play footy or something, yeah, so I could get like a bad tackle. It could. I think it was hemorrhage or something yeah yeah, but mine like leaked okay so like I woke up and I couldn't move my left leg or feel it then like a day later couldn't.
Speaker 2:Couldn't move my right leg, but I could feel it yeah I remember that, but they thought it was like an infection or something.
Speaker 1:But my mom knew it wasn't what was he saying sorry, so do you mean so mom? Mom knew it wasn't, but doctors just thought it was just yeah the doctors I was living at emerald at the time.
Speaker 2:Yeah, the doctors there didn't think that it was like serious, but my mum told them to call what is it? The Queensland like plane hospital service. Oh yeah yeah, to fly me to Brisbane.
Speaker 1:Flying doctors yeah.
Speaker 2:Yeah, and then they did an MRI for me at Brisbane. Yeah, what was it? Queensland, the Brisbane.
Speaker 1:Yeah, what was?
Speaker 2:it Queensland.
Speaker 1:The Mater Hospital or something, was it?
Speaker 2:No, it was Queensland Children's Hospital.
Speaker 1:Yeah, yeah.
Speaker 2:QCH.
Speaker 1:Queensland Children's Hospital. It's QCH. Yeah, yeah, and so they took you there, queensland Children's Hospital, you there? Children.
Speaker 2:Yep. So they took me there, did an MRI.
Speaker 1:Yep.
Speaker 2:They seen the tangle, yes, and they well, I don't remember this, but they did the surgery, yeah, which I think they like took out a piece of my spine, oh gosh and then they removed it and then put it back in place and like nailed it oh my god yeah, so I got a couple of screws in there.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:But yeah, that was it.
Speaker 1:So basically, you did nothing wrong, nothing, it just happened to you from birth, just woke up, yeah. And then suddenly, after a certain amount of years, it just starts affecting people.
Speaker 2:You know it started to like bleed.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:So then it? I don't really know.
Speaker 1:Because you were playing contact sport, didn't you say, you liked footy too? You were playing footy too, weren't?
Speaker 2:you? Yeah, I was a bit of a wuss, though, when I played footy and I could still walk.
Speaker 1:Yeah, you're not scared of the collisions. Now, though, are you?
Speaker 2:Nah.
Speaker 1:Yeah, rugby. So I just want to know and I don't want to bring up like bad memories, but I'd love to hear, if you're open, like, what kind of what kind of feelings and moods did you go through when you found out? If they said guess what, Declan, you're not going to walk again?
Speaker 2:I was sad, but I was like a bit young, yeah, so I didn't really understand it fully.
Speaker 1:Yeah, you were about six or seven, then five years ago.
Speaker 2:Yeah, about that.
Speaker 1:And then what other feelings sort of went through your brain, like you were angry and frustrated. And it's not fair, because that's how I'd feel angry and frustrated and it's not fair because that's how I'd feel.
Speaker 2:Oh, it was like that for a bit, but I just grew up, yeah.
Speaker 1:So now you've sort of accepted it Nothing you can do. What did you say? Now you've sort of accepted it now.
Speaker 2:Yeah, nothing you can do, yeah okay.
Speaker 1:Well, you've got an awesome attitude, mate, to do that positive attitude and it doesn't stop you from doing stuff Obviously a lot of stuff now Like you were with.
Speaker 1:Chet Rugby. You were going to go for a fish. You still do a few games at the moment, yeah, legend, alright. Well, we're going to go for a fish in a second. Yeah, but before we go, is there anyone you want to shout out to At school and say g'day to, if this gets on the podcast on Spotify Anyone you want to bag or you better not bag them, but anyone you want to say g'day to Nah.
Speaker 2:Actually, shout out to my brother Dejara Nice. Is he in your year level? Nah, he's 16, so grade 10. Oh, your brother here yeah.
Speaker 1:Oh, I thought you meant your bro. You know, your bro mate, your bro Nah.
Speaker 2:Nice.
Speaker 1:Okay, you'll get to see hear this. We'll have to chuck him on the podcast one time, That'd be cool. Yeah, if he's awake, we'll have to wake him up and just chuck the headphones on, chuck a microphone in his face.
Speaker 2:Just oi get up, just smack him with this.
Speaker 1:Smack him with a headphone and say chuck this on. Oh, this one, oh, it's good to hear and it's good to have you in your home here, mate, and your trust here, yeah, now I don't know about you?
Speaker 2:Are you a competitive person? Sometimes?
Speaker 1:Because if we go fishing now, I'll be upset if you catch more than me.
Speaker 2:You know that, don't you?
Speaker 1:Yeah, well, such is life really. Oh, that Kelly comment. Alright, Was there anything else you want to talk about before you end the podcast?
Speaker 2:Nah, I reckon that's it. Did a good job, mate.
Speaker 1:First time on a podcast. Nailed it.
Speaker 2:Yep, don't want to sing, nah, no, no joke of the day or anything, oh no, what is it? You can't.
Speaker 1:I've put him on the spot here, so he's thinking of one. I like how he actually takes the time to think it means his brain's working. It's awesome. I love it.
Speaker 2:I'm trying to think of a joke.
Speaker 1:Yeah, what about if I said to you if you're stuck on a deserted island with only two people and they can't be your family members or your dogs who would the two people be, and why?
Speaker 2:probably one would have to be a survival specialist. Good man, yes, yeah, I don't. I can't really think of one right now, and the other one probably a hot chick.
Speaker 1:Well played, well played. That's good, as long as she doesn't like the survival person, because it's only oh yeah, we'll just get a real ugly one. That's all about. Looks All right, Well played. What about if you're down to your last 20 bucks? What would you buy Last?
Speaker 2:2020.
Speaker 1:I've had some good responses for this one, but last $20.
Speaker 2:What? Just the last $20 ever?
Speaker 1:You've got $20 left to live off. You've only got $20 cash Only $20 to live off. You've only got $20.
Speaker 2:Probably just buy a cheap machete and go live in the forest. Would you left to live off? You've only got $20., only $20 to live off.
Speaker 1:You've only got $20. Probably just buy a cheap machete and go live in the forest, would you? Yeah, try and kill some food. Yeah, one of the best ones I've heard is one guy said I'd buy $20 worth of Coca-Colas from. Coles and sell it for triple and keep making more money.
Speaker 2:Yeah, that would be good, but the gamble of keep getting sales would be a bit risky.
Speaker 1:You reckon, yeah, okay.
Speaker 2:And where would you store all of them?
Speaker 1:Well, you only get $20 worth. That's only like a pack.
Speaker 2:Something like a pack. Yeah, that's true. It kind of depends on where you buy them from too. Well, that's true, you get the cheap Aldi brand.
Speaker 1:probably get a few more, but then would people buy that. Yeah, I saw you having a Coke Zero before. That's one of my favorite drinks. What about if you had your last meal? You've been sentenced to death row.
Speaker 2:You have a meal.
Speaker 1:What is it? And you can't say smorgasbord, because that's a cop-out. Give us something you'll last me, or what it'd be.
Speaker 2:I reckon.
Speaker 1:He's got the thinking face on again here.
Speaker 2:I wish we were videotaping this, rubbing all the small hairs on my chin right now I have to think.
Speaker 1:Declan did have a nice turkey and chips here before.
Speaker 2:It was a bit fatty, though. This is a hard question.
Speaker 1:The warden's come up to the jail cell, Declan. It's time for execution.
Speaker 2:What execution is it? Is it lethal injection?
Speaker 1:No, it's going to be the old electric chair.
Speaker 2:Old electric chair?
Speaker 1:Yeah, it's not good, it's going to be a fry.
Speaker 2:Can it be firing squad?
Speaker 1:You can't choose. We've gone off topic here a little bit. You're more interested in how you're going to die than actually going to eat.
Speaker 2:I'd probably have like I'd make them get me, like probably you know a 15 metre squid. Oh, like a big yeah, and then have one big calamari ring.
Speaker 1:Oh yeah.
Speaker 2:And just trench it in aioli and then eat that.
Speaker 1:Oh that'd be good actually.
Speaker 2:But I don't know, because of the size it could be a bit shit almost feels like I want to die now sounds good and if they can't do that, probably just uh, just a good steak oh, yes, yeah.
Speaker 1:How do you have your steak though?
Speaker 2:oh, medium yeah perfect what sauce oh, when I'm at like the pub or something, I'll get gravy with it, but sometimes they'll do a sheet gravy, so I don't really use sauce.
Speaker 1:Okay, all right. All right, we'll get back to you. Did you think of your joke or not?
Speaker 2:Oh, why did the pitcher get put in jail?
Speaker 1:I don't know, but I'm laughing already. I don't know why did the pitcher get put in jail? Declan.
Speaker 2:Because he was framed, oh God.
Speaker 1:School teacher told me that one that's great. What about? Why was the sand wet?
Speaker 2:Because of the tide.
Speaker 1:No, because of the seaweed.
Speaker 2:No good, it was all right.
Speaker 1:Mate, thanks for coming on the show. Yeah, appreciate you being here, and now it's time for a fish off.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I reckon I'm going to catch a three-meter flatty.
Speaker 1:Oh, that would be good. I wouldn't mind. I'm happy to fill that up if you catch that.
Speaker 2:Only like nine feet right. Nine feet, yeah, three meter.
Speaker 1:Yeah, nine feet. Probably a Guinness Book of Records there.
Speaker 2:I think the biggest was like a meter and a half.
Speaker 1:We just double it.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:All right. Well, mate, thanks for coming to the show. You killed it.
Speaker 2:Smash it, all right, smash it alright, looking forward to hearing you next episode let's go for a fish now.
Speaker 1:Let's do it.