Behind the Shutters is a deeply personal and moving memoir that lifts the lid on life behind closed doors. Stephanie Birkhead shares her powerful journey of survival, resilience, and hope after enduring experiences that shaped her life in unexpected ways. With raw honesty and courage, she invites readers to step inside her story — not just of struggle, but of strength, healing, and finding light after the darkest of times.

Discover my memoir: Behind The Shutters Amazon link: https://mybook.to/eBlfvR6

Connect with Stephie on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/stephie-birkhead-931762388

00:00 Introduction - Disability Disrupters Podcast
00:21 Introduction to Podcast Guest
00:32 Advert - Disability Self-empowerment: Module one: Take charge of your future!
01:51 Interview with Stephie Birkhead
24:57 Advert - Fast braille translation service
25:58 Goodbye from Dr Pam
26:14 Advert - Tipjar support for the podcast

Disability Self-empowerment: Module One: Take charge of your future! Available on amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/Disability-self-empowerment-Module-charge-future-ebook/dp/B0FJLKGLTV

Disability Responsiveness New Zealand offers personalised mentoring and workshops - view the content of these at https://drnz.co.nz/about-our-workshops-and-programmes/

Audio Shorts, background music provided by www.andrelouis.com

Podcast audio and transcript editor : Britta Offergeld

Support Disability Disrupters by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/disability-disrupters

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Gemma O’Donnell is an experienced Barrister and Solicitor. She is passionate about advocating for those with disabilities and older people. Gemma loves dark chocolate, books, and making food to share.

About Gemma’s business - Chronically Legal Chronically Legal makes it easy to get your legal ducks in a row.

Chronically Legal can help with: • Enduring Powers of Attorney, • Orders under the Protection of Personal and Property Rights Act (PPPR Act), • Residential Care Subsidies and • Trusts/ Incorporated Societies.

We offer fixed fees (for everything but litigation) and bespoke instalment payment plans

Email: gemma@chronicallylegal.co.nz Website: www.chronicallylegal.co.nz

00:00 Introduction - Disability Disrupters Podcast 00:21 Introduction to Podcast Guest 00:44 Advert - Disability Self-empowerment: Module one: Take charge of your future! 02:07 Interview with Gemma O'Donnell 44:30 Denied right to learn Braille - Radio New Zealand 47:53 Employment Matters - part 4 52:00 Advert - Fast braille translation service 53:02 Goodbye from Dr Pam 53:19 Advert - Tipjar support for the podcast

Dr Pam and Kylee Maloney's Interview sourced with permission from RNZ (Radio New Zealand) website: https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/573515/denied-right-to-learn-braille-woman-shares-historical-experience-at-royal-new-zealand-foundation-of-the-blind-s-apology

Disability Responsiveness New Zealand offers personalised mentoring and workshops - view the content of these at https://drnz.co.nz/about-our-workshops-and-programmes/

Audio Shorts, background music provided by www.andrelouis.com

Podcast audio and transcript editor : Britta Offergeld

Support Disability Disrupters by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/disability-disrupters

Read transcript

On 1st September, DARUMA finally comes to Australia and New Zealand! From Oscar-winning executive producer Peter Farrelly comes the first film in US cinematic history to star two leads with disabilities in a narrative not about overcoming disability.

DARUMA is a story about fatherhood, found family and forgiveness. Rent the film on Amazon Prime or Apple TV+

Starring: Christopher Reeve Best Actor Winner, Tobias Forrest Slamdance Best Actor Winner, John W. Lawson CBS Blue Bloods' Abigail Hawk And Golden Globe winner Barry Bostwick (The Rocky Horror Picture Show)

DARUMA is available with open captions and has audio descriptions for free via All4Access. Download the app at https://all4access.com/ for audio descriptions of DARUMA.

If you want to tag us the socials are here: INSTAGRAM: @darumamovie https://www.instagram.com/darumamovie

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W12KK9poUV0

00:00 Introduction - Disability Disrupters Podcast 00:30 Advert - Disability Responsiveness new Zealand (DRNZ) 00:53 Interview with John Lawson and Tobias Forrest 47:39 Goodbye from Dr Pam 47:55 Podcast Donations request

Disability Self-empowerment Module One: Take charge of your future! Available on amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/Disability-self-empowerment-Module-charge-future-ebook/dp/B0FJLKGLTV

Disability Responsiveness New Zealand offers personalised mentoring and workshops - view the content of these at https://drnz.co.nz/about-our-workshops-and-programmes/

Audio Shorts, background music provided by www.andrelouis.com

Podcast audio and transcript editor : Britta Offergeld

Support Disability Disrupters by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/disability-disrupters

Read transcript