For a few weeks now, I’ve been working on a passion project out of hours. I’ve kept it quiet because it was still in its very early formation, but it’s reached a point where I’m ready to share what I’m up to!
This project combines my decades of experience as a radio broadcaster with my personal experience of being an amputee.
It all came from my time in hospital. Like many, I hadn’t properly considered what it meant to become an amputee. I received excellent medical advice, pamphlets, and some great peer support from organisations like Limbs 4 Life. However, one key thing I was truly searching for was real-life stories from other amputees.
The moment I connected with someone from Limbs 4 Life, and then with another amputee in the hospital, it was an instant, powerful connection. “Oh my goodness,” I thought, “we have so much in common.”
That experience taught me the most fundamental truth: the human stories are what matter the most. When I’ve attended conferences or speeches, it’s not the lectures about prosthetics or surgical techniques that resonate; it’s the personal, messy, human stories. They allow you to connect in whatever way you need to.
The Vision: A Private Voice in Your Ear
It occurred to me that I could use my radio skills to capture and share these voices. While pamphlets and books are great, I honestly wasn’t in the mindset to read them earlier on. What I would have loved was being able to listen in my headphones to someone talking about their experience—a very private voice in my ear. I could pick up the parts that helped me and reject the parts that didn’t, because there is no one-size-fits-all story.
I also realised this project could help my family and friends understand my experience better—to show them that I wasn’t the only person going through this.
The Interviews: Interesting, Not Just “Inspirational”
For the past few weeks, I’ve been working on a series of interviews with some truly interesting people. I choose that word deliberately, as “inspirational” can sometimes be overused in the context of disability. I’m looking for stories that I can genuinely connect to.
I’ve met people I’ve read about and seen speak. Some of the powerful stories I’ve recorded include:
- Tanya Hosch (Adelaide): A lower-limb amputee due to diabetic complications. We connected deeply over our joint experiences. Tanya’s story about being on stage for the Yes referendum campaign launch just two weeks after her amputation is phenomenal.
- Adam Smith (Quad Amputee): He lost parts of all four limbs to flu that developed into sepsis. We had a great chat earlier this week, even sharing a laugh about how, after months in hospital, all we both wanted was a beer at the pub!
- Mandy McCracken (Quad Amputee in Melbourne): She also shared her experiences navigating life after sepsis.
I’m recording heavily now and editing as I go. That’s why I’ve been a bit quiet lately. While I’ll be pitching this to various organisations, including my workplace at ABC Radio, I can confirm it will land somewhere early next year.
This is a universal storytelling experience. We are exploring the whole world of amputee stories—people born with limb difference, those who acquired it later in life, and amputees from all walks of life. Everyone has an interesting story to tell, and we need more opportunities to tell them.
My hope is that this project will support people preparing for or going through amputation, and also create greater community awareness. I’m delighted to finally share what I’ve been working on!
Use the contact link if you would like to talk with me directly about this project.
This is a fabulous idea James
Many thanks Rae. It’s been a bit of a challenge explaining it to some people, but I know you get it.