The Palsy Podcast

The Palsy Podcast concludes with a turning of the tables. Previous guest Liv Woodward interviews regular host Ciaran Fitzgerald about his life, career and The Palsy Podcast. Ciaran is an RTS Cymru Award Winning Playwright and Screenwriter. His TV series 'BWMP' is the first in the Welsh language with a Disabled Protagonist. He has also written for the Sherman Theatre, Theatr Clwyd, and been a part of the WriteWild development scheme for underrepresented writers. www.ciaranfitzgerald.co.uk 

Ciaran is joined on the penultimate episode of The Palsy Podcast by Jade Owen. Jade talks about her experiences growing up with Cerebral Palsy, and having surgeries as a child. Jade and Ciaran discuss disability advocacy and what can be done to curb the recent rise in disability hate crime. Jade's SDR GoFundMe Page

Ciaran is joined on Episode 29 of The Palsy Podcast by Matt Stabb. Matt is an author and disability advocate, who has worked as a Peer link worker for Wiltshire Council, supporting disabled people to better live independently. He has also written his autobiography 'Keep On Keeping On' about living with Cerebral Palsy, which is available now. Matt's Book

Playwright Tom Wentworth joins Ciaran on episode 28 of the Palsy Podcast. Tom is a playwright and screenwriter. Tom has written for Pentabus and Jermyn Street Theatre, and is also the co-chair of the equality and diversity comity for the Writer's Guild of Great Britain. Tom talks to Ciaran about his career and lived experience with Cerebral Palsy 

Ciaran is joined on episode 27 of The Palsy Podcast by Richard Luke. Richard is Scope's Cerebral Palsy Specialist. Richard talks about his experience growing up with CP, and forming relationships and starting a family. Richard talks about his experience in becoming a dad, and the internalised ableism he felt. Richard is the programme lead for Cerebral Palsy at Scope, and has set up support groups for adults with CP. https://www.scope.org.uk/cerebral-palsy-networkhttps://www.scope.org.uk/helplinehttps://forum.scope.org.uk/ 

 Ciaran is joined on episode 26 of 'The Palsy Podcast' by Chelsie Jones. Chelsie is a journalist, presenter and social media influencer. On her channel 'Beauty is My Duty,' she shares beauty tips and accessibility hacks for disabled people. Chelsie has also completed her PGCE, and works as a teaching assistant, helping other disabled children. Chelsie also makes travel videos on how to make travel more accessible for Disabled people @chelsie_jones_models 

Ciaran is joined on this episode of the Palsy Podcast by Mark Phillips. Mark is the Fan Engagement and Enquiry Officer for Level Playing Field. LPF ensure better access for disabled sports fans by working together with clubs and DSAs. Mark studied law at Aberystwyth University, before starting his career in football. Mark talks about his experiences and how to better engage disabled fans in football. Level Playing FieldSwansea City Disabled Supporters Association

Ciaran is joined on today's episode of The Palsy Podcast by Abbie Hills. Abbie is an actor and talent agent, and founder of The Dazey Hills Company. Abbie quit her job at 23, and started her own talent agency, she now represents maybe clients in the acting industry. Abbie has also written and directed several of her own short films. https://www.abbiehills.uk/@itsabbiehills

Ciaran is joined on episode 23 of 'The Palsy Podcast' by fitness professional Sam James. Sam is a fitness instructor passionate about making fitness more accessible for people who attend her classes and PT sessions. Inclusfit

Ciaran is joined on episode 22 of The Palsy Podcast by Ellis Palmer. Ellis is a journalist who's worked for BBC World Service. Ellis studied Spanish and politics at University, and talks about his experience at uni, and how it led into his career. Ellis also loves sport, and talks about how he got into power hockey. Listen to learn more!https://worldabilitysport.org/sports/international-federation/powerchair-hockey/

As we enter the the latter stages of the month of March, Ciaran is joined on Episode 21 of 'The Palsy Podcast' by Karen Watson. Karen set up the Facebook Group 'Cerebral Palsy Adult Advice UK,' which gives help and support to adults with CP. Karen also speaks about her education and working life. 

Ciaran is joined on Episode 20 of The Palsy Podcast by Mary-Elaine McCavert. Mary-Elaine talks about her experience growing up with Cerebral Palsy and her route in Psychology. Mary-Elaine is currently studying a PhD looking at sleep in people with Cerebral Palsy, and how she has worked with families to gather that research. Sleep resources for familiesMary-Elaine’s research paperAdults with Cerebral Palsy in Northern Ireland Group

Ciaran is joined on episode 19 of The Palsy Podcast by John R Wilkinson. John is a theatre director, and talks to Ciaran about his career, and growing up with Cerebral Palsy. John was an Agent For Change at Leeds Playhouse as part of Ramps on the Moon, and has directed plays including 'The Last Picture' by Catherine Dyson. John speaks here about his life and career. 

 Ciaran is joined on episode 18 of The Palsy Podcast by Ricky Sneddon. Ricky talks about his experience at school, having first gone to a special school, and then moved to mainstream. Ricky has been a youth worker, and supported young people in the Merthyr Tudful. He is also a prolific sportsman, having competed in darts, football, and has now started wheelchair tennis. He is currently working in sports development in partnership with Merthyr council to help other disabled people to get involved in sport. 

Ciaran is joined on today's episode of The Palsy Podcast by Etienne LeSage. Etienne is an ICF-Trained life coach and minister from Canada. Etienne talks about his work as a minister, and growing older with Cerebral Palsy. Etienne talks about his experience of post-impairment syndrome and how he came to work as a life coach. You can find out more about Etienne here https://risingdisabled.com. https://www.skool.com/rebuilding-with-disability-1432/about @risingdisabled 

Ciaran is joined on episode 16 of The Palsy Podcast by Charlotte Houlton. Charlotte talks about her experiences growing up with CP, going to university, moving out and learning to drive. Charlotte is also a bit of an adrenaline junkie, having taking part in adaptive skiing and WMX. Charlotte hope to plan a sky dive for later this year. 

 Ciaran is joined on episode 15 of the Palsy Podcast by Shahd Zorob. Shahd is a disability advocate, who has been part of the Local Motion assembly in Carmarthenshire, and been mentored by The Princes Trust. Shahd runs disability awareness training in order to help people better understand disability. Shahd also discusses her experience as a disabled Muslim. 

Ciaran is joined on Episode 14 of The Palsy Podcast by playwright and actor Athena Stevens. Athena is an American playwright, author and actor currently based in London. Athena talks about her experience as a writer, not only of plays, but also her memoir 'What's Done Cannot Be Undone.' She is currently studying for a Masters in Psychology at Havard University. What's Done Cannot Be Undone

Ciaran is joined on Episode 13 of The Palsy Podcast by Teya Humphris. Teya is a fitness professional and personal trainer, who talks about her experiences in the industry, and her relationship with sport and exercise as a disabled person. Teya is a personal trainer working in the Surrey area, but also offers online sessions. Here are her details https://www.trainingwithteya.com/ 

Ciaran is joined on episode 12 of The Palsy Podcast by author Samantha Maxwell. Sam talks about her writing career, and the three books that she's had published. Sam also speaks openly about her experiences of mental illness, and how she's begun to overcome this. You can purchase Sam's books via the links below. https://wrexhamauthors.co.uk/authors/samantha-maxwell 

Paralympic Boccia Champion David Smith is Ciaran's guest for this episode of The Palsy Podcast. David studied aerospace engineering at Swansea University, but has gone on to have career in the sport of Boccia. David competed at his first Paralympics in Beijing in 2008, and has gone on to compete at 5 Paralympic Games, winning 5 Paralympic medals. David is also the founder of Swansea Boccia club, and an advocate for independent living for disabled people.  

Ciaran is joined on episode 10 of the Palsy Podcast by Liv Woodward. Liv is a writer and producer from Yorkshire, who has been part of the 4Skills Paralympics Training Programme and the WriteWild Scheme run by WildChild. Liv is the founder of Pitchdeck Productions, a production company which aims to amplify underrepresented voices in the industry. 

Actor Amy Knott joins Ciaran on Episode 9 of The Palsy Podcast. Amy talks about how she began to pursue a career in the arts, and her experiences as a young person with Cerebral Palsy. Amy talks about her experiences on auditioning for drama school, and how she thinks actor training can be made more accessible for disabled performers. Amy is the producer of the Breaking Barriers Cabaret, which is a showcase of D/deaf, Disabled and Neurodiverse performers, which takes place at The Other Palace Theatre in the West End on the 21st of March. https://theotherpalace.co.uk/breaking-barriers/ 

Ciaran is joined on episode 8 of The Palsy Podcast by Rebecca Taylor. Rebecca studied a BSc in Psychology, and is now studying for her PhD. Rebecca is specifically looking at pain management in adults with Cerebral Palsy, and the physical and psychological affects that has. Here are some links that Rebecca mentions in her interview.  https://upmovement.org.uk/ https://www.scope.org.uk/cerebral-palsy-network 

Lauren Whitington joins Ciaran for episode 7 of The Palsy Podcast. Lauren is a photographer for Sussex in the South East of England. Lauren talks about her love of photography, her creative process and her hopes for her career in the future. You can see Lauren's work and book her for events in the South East of England via her website https://www.whitington-services.com/about 

 Ciaran is joined on this episode of The Palsy Podcast by actor and professional wrestler Dan Edge. Dan is an actor, model, pro wrestler and circus aerialist, and has performed in various theatre productions, including the London 2012 Paralympic Games Opening Ceremony. Here Dan talks about his experience as a performer, and living with Cerebral Palsy. 

Ciaran is joined on episode 5 of the Palsy Podcast by Sofia Brizio. Sofia is an Italian para-swimmer, and is also currently studying for her PhD in Media Diversity at Birmingham University. She is also a writer, translator and disability rights activist. She recently starred in 'The Power of the Current,' made by Alexia Barrett, a documentary about her life as a para-swimmer and activist. You read her writing in The Waters That Raised Us and Beyond/Tu Hwnt

Sara Edwards joins Ciaran for episode 4 of The Palsy Podcast. Sara is CP specialist for the charity Scope, and talks about her experiences growing up, forming relationships and starting a family. Sara has started the Wales Cerebral Palsy network, and is keen for people with CP across Wales to get involved. https://www.scope.org.uk/cerebral-palsy-network 

Ciaran is joined on the third episode of The Palsy Podcast by Bradleigh Way. Bradleigh is an actor and disability advocate from Pontyclun in South Wales. Bradleigh talks about his experiences as an actor, and how having CP has shaped what he's doing now. Please continue to stay tuned for more episodes throughout March. American Arts Film & Television School - https://aafta.us/ American School of Arts - Summer School FundraiserReason's Not to Love You - Short Film Fundraiser

Charlie is University Student currently studying health and social care, working towards becoming a disability advocate, amplifying the voices of young disabled people. She is the Co-Founder of Cerebral Palsy Youth Voice Wales, enabling people with Cerebral Palsy to become active participants in society. 

In the first episode of The Palsy Podcast, playwright and screenwriter Ciaran Fitzgerald interviews actor Tia Chapman. Tia voices the character of Hannah Sparkes in Fireman Sam, and has also appeared in two short films directed by Rhys Miles Thomas. Tia talks about her experience as an actor, and growing up with Cerebral Palsy Tia is represented by Zebedee Talent