Nick McAllister

Dec 25, 2024 | abc.net.au | Nick McAllister

Many people would see cerebral palsy as a barrier to a physically demanding career. But Connor Johnstone has refused to allow his disability to hold him back. He's a fully qualified personal trainer with a degree in sports science and a masters in strength and conditioning. Now he's determined to help other people with a disability who struggle exercising in the gym. But he hasn't always been so self-confident.

Sep 20, 2024 | abc.net.au | Nick McAllister

Like many pensioners, Raelene Cowan is grappling with the surging cost of living. Her income is being stretched thin, leaving little room for anything but the basics. But she's also living with several mental health conditions that also make life tough. She budgets meticulously and seeks out discounts, which helps her manage her money. "It's very challenging to make that pension money stretch for the fortnight. It's very difficult," she said.

Sep 7, 2024 | abc.net.au | Nick McAllister

Jean Elliott remembers how completely unprepared she felt giving birth to her son Jesse, who has Down syndrome. That moment brought a whirlwind of unexpected challenges and emotions, leaving her grappling with a reality she hadn't anticipated. When Jean was 12 weeks pregnant, she and her husband Sam were told there was a one in nine chance one of their twins would have Down syndrome. "I was asked if I would like to have an abortion," she said. But Jean chose to keep both of her babies.

Jul 17, 2024 | abc.net.au | Nick McAllister

Karen Hall's son Joey, who had autism and was non-verbal, climbed two fences and drowned in a neighbour's pool more than two years ago. She and her daughter Jamie attended a Lionheart camp in an attempt to unpack their grief over the incident. Ms Hall wants to see a change to the laws overseeing boundary fences to ensure they can't be climbed over. Karen Hall smiles through tears as she remembers her six-year-old son Joey Vines beaming as she gave him a bag of his favourite lollipops.

Jun 21, 2024 | abc.net.au | Nick McAllister

In short: Christie Lewis has been on a waiting list for accessible housing for more than seven years. Her existing rental is too small to accommodate her wheelchair. She expects she'll have to pay up to $10,000 for repairs to the property caused by her wheelchair hitting the walls and doors of her narrow hallway. What's next? Christie is due to move into accessible housing in coming weeks. Christie Lewis feels "really, really isolated" in her Perth rental home.