Hello again; I hope your week gets off to or has already gotten off to a great start.
As promised here is my first interview with one of the primary presenters from Mobility Matters 2022
In fact this first conversation is with The keynote speaker Áine Kelly-Costello
Áine is a former Paralympian, a journalist, an activist, and podcaster who happens to be blind.
She is currently living with the long-term effects of Covid. Which include relocating to be with her family so she could get help with daily living tasks.
We spoke very little about her vision loss or how she dealt with losing her vision. We focused more on living with vision loss and long-haul Covid.
We talked about the whole concept of vision loss or disability as inspiration.
She is a very good advocate because she had me questioning whether or not I should continue to call myself The Blind Blogger or if I should keep using the What's Your Excuse brand.
We talked about blind people and others with disabilities advocating for themselves. We also talked about one of my favorite subjects asking for help.
She shared when she first started feeling the need to campaign for addressing the effects of climate change. And surprisingly she made me understand how an inclusive universal approach to designing our public spaces can help people with disabilities and help protect the environment at the same time.
I was really impressed with how open she is about the strain of living with long-haul covid. Including having to limit interviews, public speaking events, and other opportunities due to becoming easily fatigued.
And we both agreed that Covid is removing some of the stigma of asking for help.
We did talk about how even now most people with disabilities do still have to expend effort to be heard. And she finds this especially true when dealing with the medical profession.
She finishes by giving you a look at what she plans to present at the conference on March 3rd.
I think you will learn a lot from our conversation.
Now On To The Show
About Áine
I am a blind and chronically ill campaigner, writer/podcaster, musician, a Paralympian and a lover of languages. I'm passionate about furthering climate justice and creating an accessible, inclusive world, especially by harnessing the perspectives of disabled people.
In Aotearoa/New Zealand, I've primarily worked as a community organizer for thee Access Matters campaign for accessibility law, and also as a Digital Producer intern for media provider Newshub.
In 2021, I completed a Masters in Investigative Journalism from Gothenburg University, and am currently based near Bodø, in northern Norway. Based on interviews with journalists working in Aotearoa NZ, my Masters thesis is a qualitative analysis on the practice of climate change journalism.
Currently, I host and produce a podcast and blog called Disability Crosses Borders, featuring stories where disability, migration and culture meet.
I advocate for more inclusion of disability-related perspectives and considerations within political processes and policy in New Zealand, especially within climate action and immigration.
I also volunteer with the European Network on Independent Living where I coordinate the redevelopment of ENIL's website.
Website: www.aframeonlife.com
Podcast: www.disabilitycrossesborders.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/aine.kellycostello
Linked in: www.linkedin.com/in/áine-kelly-costello-4029a8122
Twitter:: https://www.twitter.com/ainekc95?lang=en">www.twitter.com/ainekc95?lang=en
We had a great conversation. It went a little longer than my usual episodes, but it is well worth the time.
But I can't believe I spent all this time with her and never talked about being a musician. She's a really great woman, so I'm going to assume she liked my singing on the intro.
I do hope you will listen to our conversation, check out her life & work,