Rainbow Cast Player

The script is an interview for a podcast featuring two speakers, Aar Jae Williams (they/them) and Kathy Macy (they/them). The conversation centers around several key topics:

CW:: 1. **Discussion of Disability and Ableism:** This includes personal experiences of discrimination and systemic challenges faced by disabled individuals.

2. **Mental Health and Emotional Well-being:** Conversations that might impact listeners' emotional state, especially around experiences of trauma linked to disability.

1. **Introduction and Background**:

- Kathy Macy, a 26-year-old PhD student in autism research, shares her academic journey and role as Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion Coordinator at the University of West England. They also speak about their lifelong political activism.

2. **Research on Autism**:

- Kathy discusses their PhD research, which investigates the potential existence and contributions of autistic individuals in the Stone Age. They highlight the importance of neurodiversity and advocate for a society that supports and values people with autism.

3. **Autism and Politics**:

- The discussion touches on the dual view of autism as both a disability and a difference, with Kathy emphasizing the need for societal change to better support autistic individuals.

- Aar Jae Williams questions Kathy about their personal experience with autism and its impact on their political engagement. Kathy recounts their diagnosis journey and the challenges they face due to their disabilities.

4. **Political Involvement**:

- Kathy details their involvement with the Liberal Democrats, their motivation for joining the party, and their contributions, including the unpaid young carer policy. They express strong support for liberal values and the importance of intersectionality and inclusion within the party.

- They also discuss the challenges faced by disabled people in political representation and advocate for more disabled candidates.

5. **Coalition Governments and Policies**:

- Kathy shares their views on potential coalitions, emphasizing a preference for policies that support proportional representation and inclusivity.

- They address past mistakes of the Liberal Democrats during the coalition with the Conservatives and advocate for the party's growth and learning from those experiences.

6. **Future Goals and Election Hopes**:

- Kathy expresses hopes for a clearer direction and increased representation for the Liberal Democrats in the upcoming election. They underscore the importance of addressing basic issues for disabled individuals, including improving systems like PIP, ensuring equal access to education, and supporting disabled people in their personal lives and careers.

The script overall addresses crucial topics related to autism, disability rights, and political activism, with an emphasis on personal experiences and systemic changes needed for a more inclusive society.

Autistic rights advocate and campaigner Kayla Smith talks about the black neurodivergent rights movement as a campaigner for the inclusion of racial intersectionality in spaces of neurodivergent progression and how she engages to confront ableism and misinformation surrounding autism.

Navigating Neurodivergence: Life with ADHD, Type 1 Diabetes, and Online Communities

In this episode, 36-year-old Natalie Balmain from Manchester opens up about her diagnosis with ADHD amidst her multifaceted life experiences, including being mixed race, aromantic, and living with Type 1 diabetes. Natalie shares her journey through late diagnoses and misdiagnoses while discussing the impact of her neurodivergency on managing diabetes and executive dysfunction. The conversation highlights the pivotal role online communities play in understanding and embracing neurodivergence, such as autism and ADHD. These platforms provide reassurance, reduce isolation, and foster open discussions that shift negative perceptions of terms like 'disabled' and 'neurodivergent,' recognizing their associated challenges and strengths. The speakers advocate for honest dialogue and provide social media handles for further engagement.

00:00 Introduction: Meet Natalie Balmain

00:22 Journey to ADHD Diagnosis

01:37 Understanding ADHD and Its Misconceptions

03:41 The Impact of ADHD on Daily Life and Health Management

09:08 Experiences and Lessons from 'Make Me Prime Minister'

12:58 The Importance of Representation and Empathy in Politics

17:11 Challenges and Opportunities for Neurodivergent Individuals in Politics

28:45 Reflections on Personal Growth and Future Aspirations

36:17 Changing Perceptions and Identity Politics

37:25 The Power of Empathy in Communication

38:48 Behind the Scenes of Reality TV

47:05 The Challenges of Representing Neurodivergence

51:08 The Journey of Self-Discovery and Diagnosis

51:13 Generational Perspectives on Neurodivergence

57:40 Embracing Mistakes and Learning from Them

01:10:18 The Importance of Community and Peer Support

01:12:38 Envisioning a More Inclusive World for Neurodivergent Individuals