Tania Lewis is a proud Awabakal woman, mother, wife, and disability advocate. She leads an active outdoors lifestyle, and since acquiring her disability after having a stroke in 2011, Tania has found drive and purpose in advocating for her peers and building connection.
After having a stroke, Tania lived in aged care facilities for three years due to limitations in finding appropriate housing assistance and support elsewhere. Through the NDIS and Summer Foundation, she was able to move out of nursing homes into purpose built Special Disability Accommodation (SDA).
Tania says that having an SDA home is a blessing, as these homes are designed for people with high-care needs and built with the unique requirements of those living with disability.
They created it so it was accessible; wider doors, everything's flat, everything's automated, electric windows, electric blinds, everything like that.Tania Lewis
When Tania left aged care facilities, she knew she’d found new drive and purpose in advocating for her peers, empowering them to use their own voices, and creating peer-groups grounded on connection. She has since spent years working with peers to reclaim their own voices from the effects of being institutionalised, creating spaces where barriers are broken down, and people feel safe, supported, and comfortable to open-up.
I just wanted to get out of there and change and do good. And I just figured, you know, having a stroke and going through what I've gone through, it can't be for nothing. And I’ve come out of there with a passion, and that was to fight for others… I've got a lot to offer still… I'm here for a reason.
By creating and participating in peer groups like Koori Connection and the Chair Syndicate, Tania highlights how integral these spaces are to empowerment. Through yarning and building connections, Tania and her peers foster visibility and strengthen their power and autonomy. Tania says there is also healing in these spaces - because there is healing in coming together.
It’s for wheelchair users to come together and have power. You know, don't feel the pity and the shame of being in a chair, you know, let people know that you're there… we're here still, we're not useless. We're not to be sat in a corner... I want somewhere where people in wheelchairs can just come and feel empowered by each other.
Tania’s involvement within the disability support space is extensive, she's involved in numerous peer groups, she’s on the board of directors for the Aboriginal owned and operated Justiz Community - a provider of disability services for Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander people. And she is a lead panel adviser for the board of Disability Council of NSW, as well as recently becoming involved in the Women’s Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service.
Keeping busy is my peace… And that's awesome because I've been on the other side where you're not busy and you're just left in bed…It's not a good lifestyle. And that's what I want to show people. I might be in a chair, I might be only able to use one arm, but, mate, I can do everything that I need and more, and so can you.
While advocating and spending time with her peers fills Tania’s cup, she always makes time for her family - especially putting her four-wheel-drive wheelchair to good use. Determined not to give up her love of fishing, camping, and hunting, Tania and her husband converted a bus to make it more accessible for her. She shares that these are special and joyful times because they bring her and her husband together, doing the things they love.
I'm lucky I made it through the stroke… So, I'm meant to be here to do something and I think I found it. I found what I need to do and I have a passion.
The Speak My Language (Disability) program is an initiative funded by the Commonwealth Government under the Information, Linkages and Capacity Building (ILC) Framework. It is proudly led by ECCNSW and the primary national Partners are ECCV, ECCQ, MCCSA, MCNT, MCOT, ECCWA, and our national broadcasting Partners SBS.
Podcast Tile Artwork: Paul Constable Calcott
