Sara Shams on Disability Advocacy, Representation & the Evolution of Prosthetics

In this episode of the ListenABLE podcast, hosts Angus and Dylan sit down with Sara Shams — a pharmacist, model, and disability advocate — to share her inspiring journey as a bilateral above-knee amputee living with the rare genetic condition tibial hemimelia. Sara opens up about her early life and multiple surgeries, how advances in prosthetics technology have shaped her independence, and the confidence she’s built through advocacy and representation in media. The conversation dives into cultural perspectives on disability, the impact of the Shift 20 initiative on increasing authentic representation, and how brands can move beyond tokenism to embrace true inclusion. From breaking into the modelling industry to launching consultancy work for accessible runways, Sara shares the importance of personal choice in mobility aids, resilience in the face of stigma, and the power of visibility in changing perceptions. What You’ll Learn: How prosthetic advancements are transforming independence and mobility. Why authentic representation matters for the disability community. The business and social impact of the Shift 20 initiative. How to address tokenism through education and cultural change. The role of confidence, resilience, and personal choice in disability advocacy.   Get in contact with Sara: https://sarashams.au/  Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarashams Watch the Full Episode with Captions Here: https://youtu.be/ux5keqFJjTM  Recorded, edited and produced by Angus' Podcast Company: www.sessioninprogress.com.au   Chapters:00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guests03:00 Sara Shams: A Journey Through Disability05:53 Understanding Tibial Hemimelia and Its Impact08:56 Surgical Journey and Early Life Experiences12:04 Evolution of Prosthetics and Technology15:01 Building Confidence and Embracing Disability17:54 Cultural Perspectives on Disability18:25 The Journey into Modeling21:37 Advocacy through Shift 20 Initiative22:42 Navigating Tokenism and Authentic Representation26:51 Launching her Consultancy30:16 The Balance of Representation and TokenismSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.