A conversation with Ali France

Today was one of those days that stays with you long after the recorder is switched off. I interviewed Ali France for my podcast series, The Limb Shift, which I am developing to explore the profound physical and psychological transitions that occur after limb loss or when living with a limb difference in Australia. By sharing these raw, authentic stories, I hope to provide a resource for others navigating this path and to advocate for a more accessible society. Ali is a former journalist and now the Federal Member for Dickson in Australia, but fifteen years ago, a horrific accident in a shopping centre car park changed her trajectory forever.

As we spoke, Ali took me back to that devastating moment. She was with her four-year-old son, Zach, when a car struck her. The medical details are harrowing—a severed femoral artery and a high-level crush injury. She told me something that really resonated: “I took a step out and there was nothing underneath me.” What struck me most wasn’t just the trauma, but her maternal instinct. Even while intubated in ICU and unable to speak, she managed to write Zach’s name on her husband’s hand to ask if he was okay. Knowing they both survived is a miracle, but for Ali, that was just the beginning of a much longer battle.

We talked a lot about the brutal reality of recovery. It wasn’t a quick fix; it was years of surgeries, chronic pain, and those debilitating phantom limb sensations we often discuss in the community. It actually took ten months before she could even be fitted for her first prosthetic socket. She was incredibly candid about the psychological toll, too. Diagnosed with chronic PTSD, she faced a paralysing fear for her children’s safety and couldn’t bring herself to drive for over two years. It’s a side of limb loss people don’t always see—the mental, invisible barriers.

The turning point for Ali came from a surprising place: outrigger canoeing. For someone who didn’t even like water sports, finding liberation on the ocean was her personal “limb shift.” She described how it allowed her to experience the simple joy of an increased heart rate and the wind in her hair. It also allowed her to challenge the “cotton wool” society often wraps around those with disabilities; throwing herself into the open ocean for a safety test was a defiant act of independence. Most importantly, it gave her a community of other people with disabilities who were leading full, normal lives, which redefined her perspective on what was possible.

I loved hearing about her transition into politics, which was fuelled by what she called “bloody anger” at the barriers and biases she encountered. She shared a story about a temporary CEO telling her she was “not worth” her wage while she was in a wheelchair. Instead of letting that defeat her, Ali decided she needed a seat at the table to enact real change. She joined the Labor Party in 2016 and, after what she describes as an “endurance test” across three election cycles, became the Member for Dickson. Famously, she defeated the Liberal Party Leader, Peter Dutton at the last federal election. She now uses her unique lens in Parliament to advocate for the NDIS and the one in five Australians living with a disability. Of course, I asked her if she would like to be the Federal Minister for the NDIS – you’ll have to wait until the podcast to hear the answer to that question!

As we wrapped up, Ali left me with some profound reflections on her fifteen-year journey. she emphasised that it is okay to not be okay for a while, as losing a limb requires real time to process. She encouraged others to not be afraid to “jump into the deep end” and start over, even as an adult. Finally, she spoke about the power of authenticity—that success comes from leaning into your true self rather than trying to “keep up” with those without disabilities. “There is light at the end of the tunnel,” Ali said. Her story is absolute proof of that. It was an honour to document it, and I know her insights will be a cornerstone for The Limb Shift.

The podcast series will launch later in 2026.