November 25, 2024 • 30 mins
Discover the inspiring journey of Wendi Czislowski, a passionate advocate for people with disabilities. She shares her remarkable transition from the world of banking to the heart of disability support. Wendi opens up about the transformative power of words and the critical role communication plays in advocating for those who cannot speak for themselves. Listen as Wendi emphasises the profound impact of language and challenges us to choose our words carefully, creating a culture of respect and dignity for everyone, especially individuals with disabilities.
Embark on a journey through the challenges and opportunities facing the disability support community, particularly in Lake Macquarie, New South Wales. We examine the complexities of navigating the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and the crucial need for consistent therapy services amidst high turnover rates. Wendi's insights reveal how breaking down stereotypes and promoting inclusive language can transform communities. She encourages us to engage in meaningful conversations and volunteer, highlighting how these actions can lead to greater understanding and inclusivity.
Get inspired by stories of empowerment and community building as Wendi shares heartwarming examples of individuals with disabilities finding independence and joy. We explore the broader responsibilities of support workers and the potential for local businesses and schools to embrace inclusivity through education and employment opportunities. Wendi's dedication is a call to action, urging us to support one another and create stronger, kinder communities.
Connect with Wendi
• Mobile: 0437-032-948
• Email: wendijc1973@gmail.com
Thank you for listening!
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Leon Goltsman (00:01):
Good morning, good afternoon or good evening,
wherever you are in the world,and welcome back to another
episode of EngagingConversations.
This is the podcast where wedon't just talk.
We dive into meaningfuldialogues with inspiring people
who are creating change andmaking a real impact.
I'm your host, leon Goltsman,and today's episode is proudly
(00:21):
brought to you by Lake MacBusiness Focus, celebrating
individuals and businesses whouplift communities through their
passion and purpose.
Now let me ask you something.
What does it really mean to bean advocate?
Is it standing up for otherswhen it's easy, or does it mean
stepping up when it's hard, evenwhen no one else will?
That question has been on mymind and it perfectly sums up
(00:46):
the incredible work of today'sguest.
Today, I am honoured tointroduce to you Wendi Shelofsky
, a powerhouse advocate who hasdedicated her life to helping
people with disabilities andthose who can't advocate for
themselves.
Originally from Queensland,Wendi has recently settled in
Lake Macquarie and within herfirst week, she's already making
(01:09):
a difference.
Whether it's championinginclusion or challenging us to
rethink how we use language,Wendi's work is a testament to
the power of action, compassionand community.
In this episode, Wendi sharesher journey, the challenges
she's faced and the incrediblelessons she's learned along the
way.
She's inspired me to reflect onhow the words we choose can
(01:30):
profoundly shape the lives ofothers, sometimes in ways we
don't even realise.
So, without further ado, let'sdive into this uplifting and
eye-opening conversation withWendi Szczeslowski.
Together, let's discover whyknowing better means doing
better.
Wendi Czislowski (01:49):
My name is Wendi Shazlosky.
I'm Queensland born.
I've just moved to LakeMacquarie a week ago, not even a
week ago and I'm excited to behere.
Leon Goltsman (01:59):
Fantastic.
Well, I think Lake Macquarie isexcited to have you too.
Would you just start by sharinga little bit about yourself and
what inspired you to get intothe disability support?
Wendi Czislowski (02:08):
What inspired me to get into disability is not
so much disability, I justwanted to help people.
I wanted to have a moremeaningful purpose in my working
career.
But little did I realize thatit became not just my working
career, it's my whole purpose inmy life help others.
Leon Goltsman (02:28):
And you do help a lot of people.
So your background before yougot into disability support,
what sort of other work did youdo that led you down this path?
Wendi Czislowski (02:38):
The other work that I've done is I actually
was in the bank for 15 years andthen I went into retail retail
management, customer service andthat was the part of banking
that I loved.
It wasn't the actual bankingside of things, it was just that
customer service just seeingdifferent customers every day
(03:00):
whether it be business people orthe people off the street, you
know whoever and being able toconnect with, with all sorts of
people and, I suppose, peoplewith disabilities.
Leon Goltsman (03:12):
They can't always express themselves like most
people can, so it's reallyimportant to be able to
understand even when they don'tspeak a hundred percent.
Wendi Czislowski (03:21):
You need to be able to understand and dive
deeper into that person, togetting to know that person.
When the communication isn'tthe typical communication of
speaking there could be, youhave to look for other ways that
a person that is non-verbal cancommunicate with you.
Growing up in Queensland and myparents quite traditional and I
(03:47):
know my dad has a really strongwork ethic and he has instilled
that in all of us kids andbeing part of the community,
like he helped build the firstkindergarten in the suburb that
we grew up in and that issomething that he's really proud
of even today and it justbrought us into the community.
Leon Goltsman (04:09):
So he's obviously very community orientated,
without even being aware of that.
Wendi Czislowski (04:14):
Yes.
Leon Goltsman (04:15):
So we're talking about communication and
understanding people.
Can you talk about how languageaffects people with
disabilities and why mindfulwords choice is so important?
Wendi Czislowski (04:25):
I think language is so important, and it
does have.
It can have either negative orpositive impact.
You know that old saying youknow sticks and stones and words
will never hurt me.
But words do hurt and words canbe very disrespectful, and
(04:45):
whether you have a disability ornot, everybody deserves the
same respect as each other forthose listening who might have
used language they didn'trealize was hurtful.
Leon Goltsman (04:57):
Um, and you know, some language could just be one
simple throwaway word and and Icould tell you, I've heard
people say things, even callingsomebody.
You know, and I'm sorry, I hopeI don't offend anybody, but I
heard somebody refer to somebodyas a, as a spastic or even a
retard.
Now they may say it in in humor, but there's a lot of damage
(05:20):
done through that and and I dobelieve that it's important to
call it out just have a thinkabout what it really means to
call somebody those those names.
If we call somebody an idiot,for instance, right, the person
can defend themselves, they canstand up for themselves.
Some people might not like andwalk away, but when you're
(05:40):
talking about somebody with adisability, they can't defend
themselves, they can't speak upfor themselves.
So what you're doing is, um,you're sticking up for these
people, but why should anyonehave to do that in the first
place?
Isn't it better if people werejust more mindful?
Wendi Czislowski (05:57):
it would be better if people are more
mindful, and that's why we needto continue to pull people up.
And there's there's no placefor that word, our word, in
today's language.
There's no need for it.
It's so archaic anddisrespectful and we, as
disability support workers,people forget and don't actually
(06:21):
understand what theirresponsibility is.
It's not just taking care ofsomebody or taking somebody out,
it's advocating for them andfighting for their rights,
because they can't fightthemselves.
Leon Goltsman (06:36):
I've personally heard in senior centres to refer
to changing nappies in seniorpeople.
Now we know that nappies arewhat you change, what you put on
babies, so how do you feelabout that?
Wendi Czislowski (06:50):
I hate the word nappies when we're talking
about adults, like it's justagain, there's no place for that
or bibs I hear people say thatall the time as well, and you
know they're clothing protectorsbecause they're used when
someone's having a meal toprotect their clothes.
So that's what I would callthem, and the nappies are what
(07:15):
we put on our babies, and foradults it would be an
incontinence pad or incontinenceaid or just a pad, or just a
pad simple.
Leon Goltsman (07:28):
The lesson here obviously is for people to be a
little bit more mindful, and alittle bit of mindfulness can go
a long, long way.
Wendi Czislowski (07:33):
Absolutely, and you do need to be mindful.
And it just becomes a habitthen, and I've seen it in my
staff even, and I've pulled themup and now they don't even
they'll stop, have a secondthought about what they're
saying, and now it's just likeit's a normal thing, because
they know that those words areinappropriate.
Leon Goltsman (07:58):
And I've had to pull myself up quite a few times
as well, not because I'm in anyharm by it, but having these
conversations and being pulledup myself in few times as well,
not because I meant any harm byit.
But you know, having theseconversations and being pulled
up myself in previous times, yourealize that even somebody with
the best intentions cansometimes let certain words slip
out of their mouth.
Wendi Czislowski (08:17):
Once they're out, they're out, you can't take
them back um, ways that I cansee things changing is even in
in a group home, like signs upon their the clients bedroom
doors, like personal care plansand you know cough etiquette in
the lounge rooms and all of thissort of thing that looks even
(08:38):
though the institutions haveclosed down, it's still an
institutionalized group home.
Anyone, anyone that walks pasta house, a group home sorry
shouldn't know that people withdisabilities live there.
It should just be likeeverybody else's home.
I managed this group homerecently, while another manager
was on holidays and one of theclients didn't have a door on
(09:02):
her cupboard and it had been.
I, the staff, like about it andhe just said it had been like
that forever and I said, well,has anyone put you know, arsling
housing to fix it?
No one, no one, um, could evenbe bothered to fix that.
Why shouldn't this clientdeserve a beautiful environment
(09:23):
to live in?
Leon Goltsman (09:25):
So what I'm hearing is that because
somebody's got special needs orsomeone's got a disability,
they're not treated with thesame respect as someone who
wouldn't.
Wendi Czislowski (09:35):
That's exactly right.
And you know what's the most?
The difficult thing for me toget my head around is that the
people that work in the industryare allowing this to happen, or
even making this happen or nothappen.
If we in the sector aren'tadvocating or aren't fighting
(09:59):
for a high standard for thepeople with disabilities, how
are the community society goingto get better?
We all have a part to play, andespecially those who work in
the sector.
Their responsibility as well tochange the language of the
community and the society,because that's our job as
(10:23):
support workers to actually bethe social change and to make
people aware well, we all haveroles and responsibilities and,
uh, and what I'm hearing fromyou now is that looking after
people with special needs anddisabilities.
Leon Goltsman (10:40):
You know, one of their roles, even though it may
not even be specified in theirwork conditions, is they are
ambassadors, and and it's notjust for the organization, it's
for the people.
Wendi Czislowski (10:53):
That's absolutely right, and it isn't
about making money or making adifference for the organization.
Even if they made a differencefor that one person, just by
putting a door on someone'scupboard is making a difference
in their life.
Leon Goltsman (11:07):
If everything was only that simple.
And you know what Sometimes itis it is that simple.
Wendi Czislowski (11:13):
It is that simple, as simple as if
someone's going out to a cafe.
Leon Goltsman (11:18):
Let's move on to Lake Macquarie, Nice, beautiful
part of the world regional NewSouth Wales, Lower Hunter,
You're bringing your expertiseto a new community.
What do you think are somespecific challenges in promoting
respectful language and supportfor people with disabilities
here?
Wendi Czislowski (11:35):
I think there is limited services here in Lake
Macquarie.
I also think that there's a lotof people with disabilities
still living at home with theirparents and the parents and the
child with disability.
They just don't know how toaccess what is available to them
.
Ndis has been around for quitea few years and there's still
(11:57):
parents that do not know whatthey can access and how they can
use their funding to thebenefit of the child.
Leon Goltsman (12:06):
Well, a lot of the people who do sign up for
NDIS.
It's not that straightforwardeither.
Wendi Czislowski (12:12):
It's not straightforward, definitely Like
there's so many differentcategories of funding and you
know people just don't know howto access that and to get the
most out of what they do receivefrom the NDIS.
You know, there was somethingthat I saw recently and it said
(12:34):
why are we teaching our childrenwith disabilities how to talk
or speak, when we actuallyshould be teaching the children
without disabilities how tospeak to those disabilities?
And I think that comes fromeducation and schooling and, if
we can blend the two together,maybe put more volunteer
(12:57):
school-age kids into dayprograms to help and desensitise
the community around peoplewith disabilities.
I mean, it's only been the lastfew decades that people with
disabilities have actually beenin the community.
They were just hidden away ininstitutions forever 50 years
(13:20):
ago.
I have had parents tell me thattheir child was born with a
disability.
The doctors literally said puther in a home and never see her
again.
Just walk away from thehospital and just put her in a
home the sad thing is, though,it still happens in many
countries.
Leon Goltsman (13:37):
So Australia still seems to be the leading
country in the way that we lookafter people with disabilities,
and yet we still seem so farbehind when it comes to training
people our own.
Wendi Czislowski (13:51):
I definitely agree.
Australia is the leader of theworld in the way that we treat
our most vulnerable people andit's something that we should be
proud of.
But also there is still such along way to go.
And you know, and that'scompared to some other countries
that just treat their peopleterribly like inhumanely, I
(14:17):
think, just constantly talkingabout it, pulling people up,
integrating you know, peoplewith disabilities with school
kids, volunteer integrating.
You know people withdisabilities with school kids,
volunteer communities you know,whatever it takes to continue
that growth will be beneficialfor everybody.
So one of the things I'd liketo see change is to remove the
(14:39):
stereotype of people withdisabilities.
Just because somebody may benon-verbal or uses a wheelchair,
it doesn't mean they're notcapable of working or doing
whatever goals that they want toachieve.
So we want to see peoplefunction and contribute to the
community, and one of the waysto achieve that is by not
(15:03):
stereotyping people withdisabilities.
There's a big wait list forbehaviour therapists especially,
and there seems to be a highturnover of staffing as well
with OTs and physios.
I've had clients that they justkeep changing their OTs because
this person's left or thisperson's left, so it's really
(15:24):
hard to get that consistency,and without consistency you
won't be able to see the results.
I actually had a family membersay to me that her son connects
with me so well and she saidthat is because you speak to him
(15:45):
like a human being and that isso simple to do.
For everybody to be able to dois just speak to people like you
speaking to your friend orwhoever, like they're.
Just you know, we're all justthe same on the inside.
We've just been born with indifferent vehicles, you know,
some people have, some peoplehave visually impaired or have
(16:08):
different challenges, buteverybody wants to be spoken to
just like an everyday person.
Leon Goltsman (16:15):
Everyone's unique and everyone's an individual,
so we could be talking about alot of things and we're not just
going to fix the world throughone conversation, but having
conversations are important, andone of the key takeaways is
being mindful of the languagethat we use.
Wendi Czislowski (16:35):
How we measure success in a society or a
community is how we treat orsupport our most vulnerable, and
we can do that by integratingmore and also our language is
very important.
Leon Goltsman (16:50):
So, Wendi, for those listening who might have
used language they didn'trealise was hurtful, what advice
would you give them?
To become more mindful, movingforward?
Wendi Czislowski (17:00):
Full of those languages moving forward, or
those words, I think,self-reflect education when you
know better, you do better.
So just being aware, self-awareand pulling others up when
you've, if you hear it as wellwell, pulling others up doesn't
(17:20):
have to be so hard.
Leon Goltsman (17:21):
It's like I don't like it when you talk like that
.
Do you mind that could just beas simple as that absolutely, or
that word's not appropriate in2024 or do you actually know
what it means?
Have you thought about that andthat and that could be enough
for them to go?
Oh, actually I don't and that'sexactly right.
Wendi Czislowski (17:41):
I think people , especially of a generation I
guess our generation you know asgrowing up in the 80s people
would throw away these words allthe time.
So it's just not even knowingwhat it means, so it's just not
appropriate to use now.
Leon Goltsman (18:01):
And look, there's also other places that people
can educate themselves.
I mean, we've got YouTube,we've got internet, we've got so
many resources online.
But better still, volunteer atsome of these centres or places.
Pop in, I'm sure that there'salways going to be somebody
(18:22):
who's going to need someassistance, and even if you feel
very generous, you can evengive a donation as well.
Wendi Czislowski (18:30):
I think volunteering is wonderful and
just having conversations withpeople people with disabilities
or support workers, anyone inthe industry to get that
knowledge and that feedback onhow we can do better as a
society.
Leon Goltsman (18:47):
In your work, you've likely witnessed the
effects of positive andrespectful interactions.
Wendi, can you share a momentwhen inclusive language made a
difference in someone's life?
Wendi Czislowski (18:57):
So a story that I have around language or
just increasing someone'sindependence when one of the
clients that lived in the grouphome, he was able to use a
coffee machine and make his owncoffee in the morning and then
he wanted to make everybody acoffee and he was just such a
(19:18):
you know, he called himself anindependent man and it motivated
and inspired him to just wantto do more.
Oh, I'm going to do the laundrynow, Wendi, I want to make you
a coffee.
Coffee, Wendi.
I can do that.
I can do it by myself becauseI'm an independent man.
Like it just motivated him tojust want to keep doing more and
(19:39):
learning more and doing betterand not not only that, it's
probably inspiring other peopleto do that as well.
Absolutely.
He actually inspired hishousemate to start doing the
laundry as well, and just littledomestic duties that they've
never done before.
Someone's done it for them,whereas doing things for
(20:01):
yourself is all about creatingindependence.
Whereas doing things foryourself is all about, you know,
creating independence.
Leon Goltsman (20:06):
So our whole purpose is to help people feel
and become more independent.
Wendi Czislowski (20:11):
Absolutely.
The idea and the real, trueessence of supporting people
with disabilities is giving thema sense of purpose and
independence, living a full,interactive life.
Anything that we do, whether wehave Facebook or whether we
have our friends over in ourhomes, the people with
disabilities should have accessto exactly the same
(20:35):
opportunities.
So it's really important toadvocate for people, to fight
for people, to speak for peoplethat can't speak for themselves,
and I think, as a supportworker, there is more to this
role and there's moreresponsibility to this role than
just, you know, taking someoneto the movies or giving somebody
(20:56):
a shower.
We need to be thinking biggerthan that and advocating for the
independence of the people withdisabilities.
Leon Goltsman (21:05):
And I think when we're talking to others and they
respond, it actually makes usfeel better too.
Wendi Czislowski (21:11):
It does make us feel better.
So I got into this industrythinking that I was going to be
the one that's helping peoplewith disabilities, but in many
cases over the past 10 years,it's people with disabilities
that have helped me get throughdifficult times in my life by
inspiring, bringing me joy andjust having a laugh about
something so simple andmotivated me to keep going.
Leon Goltsman (21:37):
You know it's funny.
You said that because a coupleof days ago I saw a clip.
It was a social media clip andit was a young girl who received
a heart from a transplant, orshe was waiting for a heart, and
she was so happy, you know, sohappy they're going.
(21:58):
I'm getting a new heart.
I'm getting a new heart.
I'm going to be able to lovemore and longer something along
those lines, and I just thoughtyou know what Everyday problems
that we have are not reallyproblems, are they your heart?
I'm gonna, I'm gonna be able tolove more and longer something
along those lines, and I justthought you know what everyday
problems that we have are notreally problems, are they?
Wendi Czislowski (22:10):
they're not problems, they go things.
Everything's temporary, littlethings will just just go, go by.
We fix problems all the timeand then we wait for new
problems to come.
But things like the challengesthat people with disabilities
have to live with on a dailybasis, so the challenges that
(22:30):
people with disabilities have tolive with every day, whether it
be physical or mental, they'rethe heroes and we need to
support our heroes.
Leon Goltsman (22:40):
So how can local businesses, schools and
community organisationscontribute to more inclusive
language and support for peoplewith disabilities?
Wendi Czislowski (22:49):
The way businesses and schools can
contribute.
Maybe programs in schools,campaign programs, programs to
just.
You know, education aroundpeople with disabilities.
You know education aroundpeople with disabilities.
People with disabilities couldwork in businesses, in local
communities, in cafes or theshops, retail, having more
(23:14):
inclusivity in our community, inour society.
Leon Goltsman (23:18):
And perhaps the cafes might be able to employ
more people with special needs.
You know, as you mentioned, theindependent man can make coffee
.
I think it would actually drawmore people to a business, and
not only does it help the people, it's actually good for the
business.
Wendi Czislowski (23:34):
It's so good for the business.
Can you imagine being servedyour coffee by this smiling,
gorgeous person with adisability?
All your first world problemswill disappear in that one cup
of coffee, that one transaction.
Leon Goltsman (23:51):
And coffees are meant to be bringing people
closer together and sparkconversations, so what better
way, absolutely?
For anyone considering a careerin disability support?
What advice would you give themon both respecting their
clients and advocating for themwithin their communities?
Wendi Czislowski (24:08):
I think a career in disability is a
wonderful career and it can takeyou into many different
branches.
I think we need to be mindfulthat it is more than just taking
care of somebody or cooking ameal for them.
Our role is bigger than that,greater than that, and the
(24:28):
importance of empathy is huge,and I've actually created some
empathy training myself, whichI've done with my team, and I
paired them and I blindfoldedone person and put that person
in a hoist and hoisted them intobed.
(24:49):
I put another person and thisis my staff blindfold them, put
them in the car, in a wheelchair, like just so they can really
get a tiny bit of a feel aboutwhat it may be like for someone
who's visually impaired in awheelchair and just being taken.
They don't even know wherethey're going, and so the
(25:10):
communicating with a person witha disability is really, really,
really important.
So if you're putting somebodyin a hoist, for instance, to go
into bed from their wheelchair,tell them what they're doing
every step of the, what you'redoing every step of the way so
they know what's coming, becausea lot of anxiety and mental
health comes from not knowingwhat's coming next, and when
(25:35):
you've got a disability, you'reprocessing things a lot
differently.
Or you can't see, or you can'thear.
You don't know what's happening.
Leon Goltsman (25:43):
Our listeners are probably thinking oh, you're
blindfolding them and you'retying them up and hoisting them
away somewhere that they don'tknow where they're going.
The rationale behind that isthat you're giving a person an
opportunity to experience whatit's like in other people's
shoes absolutely that's what itis.
Wendi Czislowski (26:01):
It's giving a tiny bit of a taste like we'll
never know what it's like to bein anyone else's body but our
own, but it gives them a bit ofan understanding to go okay.
Well, yeah, I didn't know wherewe were going, so maybe when
I'm supporting a person inthat's visually impaired or in a
wheel, uses a wheelchair, Iwill communicate with that
(26:21):
person more.
I'll give them more choice aswell to where we're going or
what we're doing.
I'll just it does highlightmore empathy and a better way of
supporting a person with adisability.
Leon Goltsman (26:36):
You're providing people a sense of security or a
sense of trust.
Wendi Czislowski (26:42):
A sense of trust and a sense of safety and
a sense of security.
Leon Goltsman (26:46):
And they're all the sort of things that will put
people at ease.
Wendi Czislowski (26:50):
Yes, we should all use respectful language
around people with disabilities.
Leon Goltsman (26:55):
I actually think we should be using respectful
language around everybody.
Wendi Czislowski (27:00):
Around everybody, yes, but we've done
it in other sectors of thecommunity, whether it be
Indigenous or our LGBT community.
Now we need to focus on thedisability sector and doing that
better, using better languagearound people with disabilities.
Leon Goltsman (27:20):
And what better place to start than right now?
Wendi Czislowski (27:23):
Right now.
Now, before I let you go, I wantto look ahead and I want to
know what your vision is, Wendistronger, more inclusive
community, involving a lot moreeducation with our children and
(27:47):
adults and community initiatives, but to also just keep moving
forward and keep doing whatwe're all doing, what I'm doing,
what you're doing.
The future generations need tojust continue to grow and be
mindful, be empathetic, beinclusive and hold each other to
(28:09):
account.
Pull people up if they're usingthe wrong, outdated language,
include people with disabilitiesin our conversations in the
community.
So every action hasconsequences and what we do
today impacts what happenstomorrow.
Leon Goltsman (28:24):
Wendi, I couldn't have said it better myself.
Thank you very much for yourtime.
Wendi Czislowski (28:28):
Thank you so much.
Leon Goltsman (28:31):
Well, that's a wrap.
What an inspiring andthought-provoking conversation
we've just had with WendiShelofsky.
Wendi is a shining example ofwhat it means to be a true
advocate, not just for peoplewith disabilities, but for
anyone who needs a voice.
Her dedication to inclusion andher thoughtful approach to
language reminds us all theprofound impact of words and
(28:52):
actions can have on others.
When we support and upliftthose around us, we're not just
helping them, we're enrichingour own lives, creating a cycle
of happiness and fulfillmentthat ripples through our
communities.
Wendi work is a powerful callto action.
We all have a part to play instrengthening our communities,
and when we do so with kindnessand intention, we help ourselves
(29:14):
live more connected andmeaningful lives.
If you're inspired by whatWendi shared today and want to
learn more about her incrediblework, if you'd like to connect
with her directly her contactdetails are in the show notes
she's the perfect guy to helpyou discover more ways to get
involved and make a difference.
Now let me introduce you to nextweek's guest, someone who's
(29:37):
truly revolutionising the way wework.
Brad Woollett, the founder ofdifiniti, is a leader in AI
automation and productivitysolutions.
His innovative technology isall about creating more time
time you can use to focus onwhat truly matters, and I'm
thrilled to share Brad'sinsights and vision with you in
the next episode, and I promiseit's one you won't want to miss.
(30:00):
As always, if you havequestions for Wendi or any of
the previous guests, check outthe show notes for ways to
connect.
I'm Leon Goltsman and I lookforward to having you join us
again next week.
Until then, stay engaged, stayconnected and let's keep making
a difference together.
Good morning, good afternoon or good evening,
wherever you are in the world,and welcome back to another
episode of EngagingConversations.
This is the podcast where wedon't just talk.
We dive into meaningfuldialogues with inspiring people
who are creating change andmaking a real impact.
I'm your host, leon Goltsman,and today's episode is proudly
(00:21):
brought to you by Lake MacBusiness Focus, celebrating
individuals and businesses whouplift communities through their
passion and purpose.
Now let me ask you something.
What does it really mean to bean advocate?
Is it standing up for otherswhen it's easy, or does it mean
stepping up when it's hard, evenwhen no one else will?
That question has been on mymind and it perfectly sums up
(00:46):
the incredible work of today'sguest.
Today, I am honoured tointroduce to you Wendi Shelofsky
, a powerhouse advocate who hasdedicated her life to helping
people with disabilities andthose who can't advocate for
themselves.
Originally from Queensland,Wendi has recently settled in
Lake Macquarie and within herfirst week, she's already making
(01:09):
a difference.
Whether it's championinginclusion or challenging us to
rethink how we use language,Wendi's work is a testament to
the power of action, compassionand community.
In this episode, Wendi sharesher journey, the challenges
she's faced and the incrediblelessons she's learned along the
way.
She's inspired me to reflect onhow the words we choose can
(01:30):
profoundly shape the lives ofothers, sometimes in ways we
don't even realise.
So, without further ado, let'sdive into this uplifting and
eye-opening conversation withWendi Szczeslowski.
Together, let's discover whyknowing better means doing
better.
Wendi Czislowski (01:49):
My name is Wendi Shazlosky.
I'm Queensland born.
I've just moved to LakeMacquarie a week ago, not even a
week ago and I'm excited to behere.
Leon Goltsman (01:59):
Fantastic.
Well, I think Lake Macquarie isexcited to have you too.
Would you just start by sharinga little bit about yourself and
what inspired you to get intothe disability support?
Wendi Czislowski (02:08):
What inspired me to get into disability is not
so much disability, I justwanted to help people.
I wanted to have a moremeaningful purpose in my working
career.
But little did I realize thatit became not just my working
career, it's my whole purpose inmy life help others.
Leon Goltsman (02:28):
And you do help a lot of people.
So your background before yougot into disability support,
what sort of other work did youdo that led you down this path?
Wendi Czislowski (02:38):
The other work that I've done is I actually
was in the bank for 15 years andthen I went into retail retail
management, customer service andthat was the part of banking
that I loved.
It wasn't the actual bankingside of things, it was just that
customer service just seeingdifferent customers every day
(03:00):
whether it be business people orthe people off the street, you
know whoever and being able toconnect with, with all sorts of
people and, I suppose, peoplewith disabilities.
Leon Goltsman (03:12):
They can't always express themselves like most
people can, so it's reallyimportant to be able to
understand even when they don'tspeak a hundred percent.
Wendi Czislowski (03:21):
You need to be able to understand and dive
deeper into that person, togetting to know that person.
When the communication isn'tthe typical communication of
speaking there could be, youhave to look for other ways that
a person that is non-verbal cancommunicate with you.
Growing up in Queensland and myparents quite traditional and I
(03:47):
know my dad has a really strongwork ethic and he has instilled
that in all of us kids andbeing part of the community,
like he helped build the firstkindergarten in the suburb that
we grew up in and that issomething that he's really proud
of even today and it justbrought us into the community.
Leon Goltsman (04:09):
So he's obviously very community orientated,
without even being aware of that.
Wendi Czislowski (04:14):
Yes.
Leon Goltsman (04:15):
So we're talking about communication and
understanding people.
Can you talk about how languageaffects people with
disabilities and why mindfulwords choice is so important?
Wendi Czislowski (04:25):
I think language is so important, and it
does have.
It can have either negative orpositive impact.
You know that old saying youknow sticks and stones and words
will never hurt me.
But words do hurt and words canbe very disrespectful, and
(04:45):
whether you have a disability ornot, everybody deserves the
same respect as each other forthose listening who might have
used language they didn'trealize was hurtful.
Leon Goltsman (04:57):
Um, and you know, some language could just be one
simple throwaway word and and Icould tell you, I've heard
people say things, even callingsomebody.
You know, and I'm sorry, I hopeI don't offend anybody, but I
heard somebody refer to somebodyas a, as a spastic or even a
retard.
Now they may say it in in humor, but there's a lot of damage
(05:20):
done through that and and I dobelieve that it's important to
call it out just have a thinkabout what it really means to
call somebody those those names.
If we call somebody an idiot,for instance, right, the person
can defend themselves, they canstand up for themselves.
Some people might not like andwalk away, but when you're
(05:40):
talking about somebody with adisability, they can't defend
themselves, they can't speak upfor themselves.
So what you're doing is, um,you're sticking up for these
people, but why should anyonehave to do that in the first
place?
Isn't it better if people werejust more mindful?
Wendi Czislowski (05:57):
it would be better if people are more
mindful, and that's why we needto continue to pull people up.
And there's there's no placefor that word, our word, in
today's language.
There's no need for it.
It's so archaic anddisrespectful and we, as
disability support workers,people forget and don't actually
(06:21):
understand what theirresponsibility is.
It's not just taking care ofsomebody or taking somebody out,
it's advocating for them andfighting for their rights,
because they can't fightthemselves.
Leon Goltsman (06:36):
I've personally heard in senior centres to refer
to changing nappies in seniorpeople.
Now we know that nappies arewhat you change, what you put on
babies, so how do you feelabout that?
Wendi Czislowski (06:50):
I hate the word nappies when we're talking
about adults, like it's justagain, there's no place for that
or bibs I hear people say thatall the time as well, and you
know they're clothing protectorsbecause they're used when
someone's having a meal toprotect their clothes.
So that's what I would callthem, and the nappies are what
(07:15):
we put on our babies, and foradults it would be an
incontinence pad or incontinenceaid or just a pad, or just a
pad simple.
Leon Goltsman (07:28):
The lesson here obviously is for people to be a
little bit more mindful, and alittle bit of mindfulness can go
a long, long way.
Wendi Czislowski (07:33):
Absolutely, and you do need to be mindful.
And it just becomes a habitthen, and I've seen it in my
staff even, and I've pulled themup and now they don't even
they'll stop, have a secondthought about what they're
saying, and now it's just likeit's a normal thing, because
they know that those words areinappropriate.
Leon Goltsman (07:58):
And I've had to pull myself up quite a few times
as well, not because I'm in anyharm by it, but having these
conversations and being pulledup myself in few times as well,
not because I meant any harm byit.
But you know, having theseconversations and being pulled
up myself in previous times, yourealize that even somebody with
the best intentions cansometimes let certain words slip
out of their mouth.
Wendi Czislowski (08:17):
Once they're out, they're out, you can't take
them back um, ways that I cansee things changing is even in
in a group home, like signs upon their the clients bedroom
doors, like personal care plansand you know cough etiquette in
the lounge rooms and all of thissort of thing that looks even
(08:38):
though the institutions haveclosed down, it's still an
institutionalized group home.
Anyone, anyone that walks pasta house, a group home sorry
shouldn't know that people withdisabilities live there.
It should just be likeeverybody else's home.
I managed this group homerecently, while another manager
was on holidays and one of theclients didn't have a door on
(09:02):
her cupboard and it had been.
I, the staff, like about it andhe just said it had been like
that forever and I said, well,has anyone put you know, arsling
housing to fix it?
No one, no one, um, could evenbe bothered to fix that.
Why shouldn't this clientdeserve a beautiful environment
(09:23):
to live in?
Leon Goltsman (09:25):
So what I'm hearing is that because
somebody's got special needs orsomeone's got a disability,
they're not treated with thesame respect as someone who
wouldn't.
Wendi Czislowski (09:35):
That's exactly right.
And you know what's the most?
The difficult thing for me toget my head around is that the
people that work in the industryare allowing this to happen, or
even making this happen or nothappen.
If we in the sector aren'tadvocating or aren't fighting
(09:59):
for a high standard for thepeople with disabilities, how
are the community society goingto get better?
We all have a part to play, andespecially those who work in
the sector.
Their responsibility as well tochange the language of the
community and the society,because that's our job as
(10:23):
support workers to actually bethe social change and to make
people aware well, we all haveroles and responsibilities and,
uh, and what I'm hearing fromyou now is that looking after
people with special needs anddisabilities.
Leon Goltsman (10:40):
You know, one of their roles, even though it may
not even be specified in theirwork conditions, is they are
ambassadors, and and it's notjust for the organization, it's
for the people.
Wendi Czislowski (10:53):
That's absolutely right, and it isn't
about making money or making adifference for the organization.
Even if they made a differencefor that one person, just by
putting a door on someone'scupboard is making a difference
in their life.
Leon Goltsman (11:07):
If everything was only that simple.
And you know what Sometimes itis it is that simple.
Wendi Czislowski (11:13):
It is that simple, as simple as if
someone's going out to a cafe.
Leon Goltsman (11:18):
Let's move on to Lake Macquarie, Nice, beautiful
part of the world regional NewSouth Wales, Lower Hunter,
You're bringing your expertiseto a new community.
What do you think are somespecific challenges in promoting
respectful language and supportfor people with disabilities
here?
Wendi Czislowski (11:35):
I think there is limited services here in Lake
Macquarie.
I also think that there's a lotof people with disabilities
still living at home with theirparents and the parents and the
child with disability.
They just don't know how toaccess what is available to them
.
Ndis has been around for quitea few years and there's still
(11:57):
parents that do not know whatthey can access and how they can
use their funding to thebenefit of the child.
Leon Goltsman (12:06):
Well, a lot of the people who do sign up for
NDIS.
It's not that straightforwardeither.
Wendi Czislowski (12:12):
It's not straightforward, definitely Like
there's so many differentcategories of funding and you
know people just don't know howto access that and to get the
most out of what they do receivefrom the NDIS.
You know, there was somethingthat I saw recently and it said
(12:34):
why are we teaching our childrenwith disabilities how to talk
or speak, when we actuallyshould be teaching the children
without disabilities how tospeak to those disabilities?
And I think that comes fromeducation and schooling and, if
we can blend the two together,maybe put more volunteer
(12:57):
school-age kids into dayprograms to help and desensitise
the community around peoplewith disabilities.
I mean, it's only been the lastfew decades that people with
disabilities have actually beenin the community.
They were just hidden away ininstitutions forever 50 years
(13:20):
ago.
I have had parents tell me thattheir child was born with a
disability.
The doctors literally said puther in a home and never see her
again.
Just walk away from thehospital and just put her in a
home the sad thing is, though,it still happens in many
countries.
Leon Goltsman (13:37):
So Australia still seems to be the leading
country in the way that we lookafter people with disabilities,
and yet we still seem so farbehind when it comes to training
people our own.
Wendi Czislowski (13:51):
I definitely agree.
Australia is the leader of theworld in the way that we treat
our most vulnerable people andit's something that we should be
proud of.
But also there is still such along way to go.
And you know, and that'scompared to some other countries
that just treat their peopleterribly like inhumanely, I
(14:17):
think, just constantly talkingabout it, pulling people up,
integrating you know, peoplewith disabilities with school
kids, volunteer integrating.
You know people withdisabilities with school kids,
volunteer communities you know,whatever it takes to continue
that growth will be beneficialfor everybody.
So one of the things I'd liketo see change is to remove the
(14:39):
stereotype of people withdisabilities.
Just because somebody may benon-verbal or uses a wheelchair,
it doesn't mean they're notcapable of working or doing
whatever goals that they want toachieve.
So we want to see peoplefunction and contribute to the
community, and one of the waysto achieve that is by not
(15:03):
stereotyping people withdisabilities.
There's a big wait list forbehaviour therapists especially,
and there seems to be a highturnover of staffing as well
with OTs and physios.
I've had clients that they justkeep changing their OTs because
this person's left or thisperson's left, so it's really
(15:24):
hard to get that consistency,and without consistency you
won't be able to see the results.
I actually had a family membersay to me that her son connects
with me so well and she saidthat is because you speak to him
(15:45):
like a human being and that isso simple to do.
For everybody to be able to dois just speak to people like you
speaking to your friend orwhoever, like they're.
Just you know, we're all justthe same on the inside.
We've just been born with indifferent vehicles, you know,
some people have, some peoplehave visually impaired or have
(16:08):
different challenges, buteverybody wants to be spoken to
just like an everyday person.
Leon Goltsman (16:15):
Everyone's unique and everyone's an individual,
so we could be talking about alot of things and we're not just
going to fix the world throughone conversation, but having
conversations are important, andone of the key takeaways is
being mindful of the languagethat we use.
Wendi Czislowski (16:35):
How we measure success in a society or a
community is how we treat orsupport our most vulnerable, and
we can do that by integratingmore and also our language is
very important.
Leon Goltsman (16:50):
So, Wendi, for those listening who might have
used language they didn'trealise was hurtful, what advice
would you give them?
To become more mindful, movingforward?
Wendi Czislowski (17:00):
Full of those languages moving forward, or
those words, I think,self-reflect education when you
know better, you do better.
So just being aware, self-awareand pulling others up when
you've, if you hear it as wellwell, pulling others up doesn't
(17:20):
have to be so hard.
Leon Goltsman (17:21):
It's like I don't like it when you talk like that
.
Do you mind that could just beas simple as that absolutely, or
that word's not appropriate in2024 or do you actually know
what it means?
Have you thought about that andthat and that could be enough
for them to go?
Oh, actually I don't and that'sexactly right.
Wendi Czislowski (17:41):
I think people , especially of a generation I
guess our generation you know asgrowing up in the 80s people
would throw away these words allthe time.
So it's just not even knowingwhat it means, so it's just not
appropriate to use now.
Leon Goltsman (18:01):
And look, there's also other places that people
can educate themselves.
I mean, we've got YouTube,we've got internet, we've got so
many resources online.
But better still, volunteer atsome of these centres or places.
Pop in, I'm sure that there'salways going to be somebody
(18:22):
who's going to need someassistance, and even if you feel
very generous, you can evengive a donation as well.
Wendi Czislowski (18:30):
I think volunteering is wonderful and
just having conversations withpeople people with disabilities
or support workers, anyone inthe industry to get that
knowledge and that feedback onhow we can do better as a
society.
Leon Goltsman (18:47):
In your work, you've likely witnessed the
effects of positive andrespectful interactions.
Wendi, can you share a momentwhen inclusive language made a
difference in someone's life?
Wendi Czislowski (18:57):
So a story that I have around language or
just increasing someone'sindependence when one of the
clients that lived in the grouphome, he was able to use a
coffee machine and make his owncoffee in the morning and then
he wanted to make everybody acoffee and he was just such a
(19:18):
you know, he called himself anindependent man and it motivated
and inspired him to just wantto do more.
Oh, I'm going to do the laundrynow, Wendi, I want to make you
a coffee.
Coffee, Wendi.
I can do that.
I can do it by myself becauseI'm an independent man.
Like it just motivated him tojust want to keep doing more and
(19:39):
learning more and doing betterand not not only that, it's
probably inspiring other peopleto do that as well.
Absolutely.
He actually inspired hishousemate to start doing the
laundry as well, and just littledomestic duties that they've
never done before.
Someone's done it for them,whereas doing things for
(20:01):
yourself is all about creatingindependence.
Whereas doing things foryourself is all about, you know,
creating independence.
Leon Goltsman (20:06):
So our whole purpose is to help people feel
and become more independent.
Wendi Czislowski (20:11):
Absolutely.
The idea and the real, trueessence of supporting people
with disabilities is giving thema sense of purpose and
independence, living a full,interactive life.
Anything that we do, whether wehave Facebook or whether we
have our friends over in ourhomes, the people with
disabilities should have accessto exactly the same
(20:35):
opportunities.
So it's really important toadvocate for people, to fight
for people, to speak for peoplethat can't speak for themselves,
and I think, as a supportworker, there is more to this
role and there's moreresponsibility to this role than
just, you know, taking someoneto the movies or giving somebody
(20:56):
a shower.
We need to be thinking biggerthan that and advocating for the
independence of the people withdisabilities.
Leon Goltsman (21:05):
And I think when we're talking to others and they
respond, it actually makes usfeel better too.
Wendi Czislowski (21:11):
It does make us feel better.
So I got into this industrythinking that I was going to be
the one that's helping peoplewith disabilities, but in many
cases over the past 10 years,it's people with disabilities
that have helped me get throughdifficult times in my life by
inspiring, bringing me joy andjust having a laugh about
something so simple andmotivated me to keep going.
Leon Goltsman (21:37):
You know it's funny.
You said that because a coupleof days ago I saw a clip.
It was a social media clip andit was a young girl who received
a heart from a transplant, orshe was waiting for a heart, and
she was so happy, you know, sohappy they're going.
(21:58):
I'm getting a new heart.
I'm getting a new heart.
I'm going to be able to lovemore and longer something along
those lines, and I just thoughtyou know what Everyday problems
that we have are not reallyproblems, are they your heart?
I'm gonna, I'm gonna be able tolove more and longer something
along those lines, and I justthought you know what everyday
problems that we have are notreally problems, are they?
Wendi Czislowski (22:10):
they're not problems, they go things.
Everything's temporary, littlethings will just just go, go by.
We fix problems all the timeand then we wait for new
problems to come.
But things like the challengesthat people with disabilities
have to live with on a dailybasis, so the challenges that
(22:30):
people with disabilities have tolive with every day, whether it
be physical or mental, they'rethe heroes and we need to
support our heroes.
Leon Goltsman (22:40):
So how can local businesses, schools and
community organisationscontribute to more inclusive
language and support for peoplewith disabilities?
Wendi Czislowski (22:49):
The way businesses and schools can
contribute.
Maybe programs in schools,campaign programs, programs to
just.
You know, education aroundpeople with disabilities.
You know education aroundpeople with disabilities.
People with disabilities couldwork in businesses, in local
communities, in cafes or theshops, retail, having more
(23:14):
inclusivity in our community, inour society.
Leon Goltsman (23:18):
And perhaps the cafes might be able to employ
more people with special needs.
You know, as you mentioned, theindependent man can make coffee
.
I think it would actually drawmore people to a business, and
not only does it help the people, it's actually good for the
business.
Wendi Czislowski (23:34):
It's so good for the business.
Can you imagine being servedyour coffee by this smiling,
gorgeous person with adisability?
All your first world problemswill disappear in that one cup
of coffee, that one transaction.
Leon Goltsman (23:51):
And coffees are meant to be bringing people
closer together and sparkconversations, so what better
way, absolutely?
For anyone considering a careerin disability support?
What advice would you give themon both respecting their
clients and advocating for themwithin their communities?
Wendi Czislowski (24:08):
I think a career in disability is a
wonderful career and it can takeyou into many different
branches.
I think we need to be mindfulthat it is more than just taking
care of somebody or cooking ameal for them.
Our role is bigger than that,greater than that, and the
(24:28):
importance of empathy is huge,and I've actually created some
empathy training myself, whichI've done with my team, and I
paired them and I blindfoldedone person and put that person
in a hoist and hoisted them intobed.
(24:49):
I put another person and thisis my staff blindfold them, put
them in the car, in a wheelchair, like just so they can really
get a tiny bit of a feel aboutwhat it may be like for someone
who's visually impaired in awheelchair and just being taken.
They don't even know wherethey're going, and so the
(25:10):
communicating with a person witha disability is really, really,
really important.
So if you're putting somebodyin a hoist, for instance, to go
into bed from their wheelchair,tell them what they're doing
every step of the, what you'redoing every step of the way so
they know what's coming, becausea lot of anxiety and mental
health comes from not knowingwhat's coming next, and when
(25:35):
you've got a disability, you'reprocessing things a lot
differently.
Or you can't see, or you can'thear.
You don't know what's happening.
Leon Goltsman (25:43):
Our listeners are probably thinking oh, you're
blindfolding them and you'retying them up and hoisting them
away somewhere that they don'tknow where they're going.
The rationale behind that isthat you're giving a person an
opportunity to experience whatit's like in other people's
shoes absolutely that's what itis.
Wendi Czislowski (26:01):
It's giving a tiny bit of a taste like we'll
never know what it's like to bein anyone else's body but our
own, but it gives them a bit ofan understanding to go okay.
Well, yeah, I didn't know wherewe were going, so maybe when
I'm supporting a person inthat's visually impaired or in a
wheel, uses a wheelchair, Iwill communicate with that
(26:21):
person more.
I'll give them more choice aswell to where we're going or
what we're doing.
I'll just it does highlightmore empathy and a better way of
supporting a person with adisability.
Leon Goltsman (26:36):
You're providing people a sense of security or a
sense of trust.
Wendi Czislowski (26:42):
A sense of trust and a sense of safety and
a sense of security.
Leon Goltsman (26:46):
And they're all the sort of things that will put
people at ease.
Wendi Czislowski (26:50):
Yes, we should all use respectful language
around people with disabilities.
Leon Goltsman (26:55):
I actually think we should be using respectful
language around everybody.
Wendi Czislowski (27:00):
Around everybody, yes, but we've done
it in other sectors of thecommunity, whether it be
Indigenous or our LGBT community.
Now we need to focus on thedisability sector and doing that
better, using better languagearound people with disabilities.
Leon Goltsman (27:20):
And what better place to start than right now?
Wendi Czislowski (27:23):
Right now.
Now, before I let you go, I wantto look ahead and I want to
know what your vision is, Wendistronger, more inclusive
community, involving a lot moreeducation with our children and
(27:47):
adults and community initiatives, but to also just keep moving
forward and keep doing whatwe're all doing, what I'm doing,
what you're doing.
The future generations need tojust continue to grow and be
mindful, be empathetic, beinclusive and hold each other to
(28:09):
account.
Pull people up if they're usingthe wrong, outdated language,
include people with disabilitiesin our conversations in the
community.
So every action hasconsequences and what we do
today impacts what happenstomorrow.
Leon Goltsman (28:24):
Wendi, I couldn't have said it better myself.
Thank you very much for yourtime.
Wendi Czislowski (28:28):
Thank you so much.
Leon Goltsman (28:31):
Well, that's a wrap.
What an inspiring andthought-provoking conversation
we've just had with WendiShelofsky.
Wendi is a shining example ofwhat it means to be a true
advocate, not just for peoplewith disabilities, but for
anyone who needs a voice.
Her dedication to inclusion andher thoughtful approach to
language reminds us all theprofound impact of words and
(28:52):
actions can have on others.
When we support and upliftthose around us, we're not just
helping them, we're enrichingour own lives, creating a cycle
of happiness and fulfillmentthat ripples through our
communities.
Wendi work is a powerful callto action.
We all have a part to play instrengthening our communities,
and when we do so with kindnessand intention, we help ourselves
(29:14):
live more connected andmeaningful lives.
If you're inspired by whatWendi shared today and want to
learn more about her incrediblework, if you'd like to connect
with her directly her contactdetails are in the show notes
she's the perfect guy to helpyou discover more ways to get
involved and make a difference.
Now let me introduce you to nextweek's guest, someone who's
(29:37):
truly revolutionising the way wework.
Brad Woollett, the founder ofdifiniti, is a leader in AI
automation and productivitysolutions.
His innovative technology isall about creating more time
time you can use to focus onwhat truly matters, and I'm
thrilled to share Brad'sinsights and vision with you in
the next episode, and I promiseit's one you won't want to miss.
(30:00):
As always, if you havequestions for Wendi or any of
the previous guests, check outthe show notes for ways to
connect.
I'm Leon Goltsman and I lookforward to having you join us
again next week.
Until then, stay engaged, stayconnected and let's keep making
a difference together.
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