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What is it like living with autism, muscular dystrophy and speech and language difficulties?

In this episode of Dis-labled, Gila shares an honest and emotional account of her daily life. She talks about work, friendships, independence, anxiety, using a wheelchair, and the challenges of navigating a world that doesn't always understand disability.

Gila also opens up about masking, hiding her true feelings, and the pressure to appear happy when things are difficult. Along the way, she reflects on how far she has come, the obstacles she has overcome, and why learning to accept herself has been such an important journey.

This is a powerful conversation about disability, identity, resilience and being yourself.

00:00 Living with Autism & Muscular Dystrophy: Gila's Story
01:00 Meet Gila: Autism, Muscular Dystrophy & Speech and Language Difficulties
02:35 Managing Tiredness, Energy & Everyday Life with Muscular Dystrophy
03:26 Physical Disability: The Things Other People Take for Granted
04:12 Wheelchairs, Stairlifts & Conserving Energy to Stay Independent
05:01 Using a Wheelchair: Staring, Accessibility & Asking for Help
05:38 Physiotherapy, Muscle Tightness & Managing a Physical Disability
06:37 "Why Is She in a Wheelchair if She Can Walk?" Challenging Disability Assumptions
07:33 Everyday Accessibility: Walking, Wheelchairs & Card Payment Machines
08:54 Why Asking for Help Can Be Difficult When You Have a Disability
10:09 Autism & Masking: "You See Me Happy, But Inside I'm Not Okay"
12:12 Trust, Emotions & the Difficulty of Letting People See the Real You
13:17 "I Feel Like I'm Masking With You": An Emotional Moment
14:31 Unmasking, Insecurity & Learning to Be Yourself
15:29 Falling, Mobility & Learning to Live Life on Your Own Terms
16:25 Friendship, Baking, Meditation & Finding Ways to Switch Off
19:22 Carol's Poem "Mind": Feeling Different, Isolated & Wanting to Be Heard
22:19 What Gila Wishes People Understood About Her Disability
23:49 Overcoming Obstacles: "I'm Still Going With My Disability"
25:12 From Masking to "I'm Amazing": Gila Reflects on How Far She's Come
26:30 Self-Acceptance, Positivity & Learning to Love Yourself
28:24 Closing Thoughts | Dis-labled Podcast

Project Managers: Andrea Rai & Phil Powell
Editor: Phil Powell

Huge thanks to the National Lottery Reaching Communities Fund for supporting our Dis-labled podcast. Learn more about their amazing work: https://www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk

All enquiries: podcast@communityfocus.co.uk
Website: https://www.communityfocus.co.uk/

Theme Music: Rastko Rasic & the students of Community FocusOther Music: Jazzy Frenchy by ⁠⁠⁠Benjamin Tissot