Welcome to Volume 5 of the Lightkeeper’s List. 

This is a list of all the people and things that are my Lightkeeper’s – shining out there, keeping the light on for me.  

“Provided the kind of environment where teenagers could be teenagers without all the stereotypes and labels… We realised the problem did not exist with people with disabilities. The problem existed with people that didn’t have disabilities. It was our [the non-disabled] problem so it was important for us to change.”

– Larry Allisopn – Jened Camp Director

• Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution (Netflix)
  
  Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution documentary introduces us to a summer camp especially designed for disabled teenagers, and they discover the freedoms away from conventions of society and a new solidarity among people who experience the world in a similar way that they do. The interviews and discussions they have at Camp Jened about their life experiences are fascinating and it is so wonderful to see people light up in a way that they have never been allowed to before.
  
  Judith Heumann’s life journey fighting for disability rights was incredible to watch and I was glad to see more of her after I was in a webinar with her last year for the launch of her new book Rolling Warrior (it is high on my list of books to read)!
  
  The whole documentary is so compelling and I have so much admiration and gratitude for the efforts to improve disability rights, which then lead to an ongoing international movement. We still have a way to go! Plus the music soundtrack is era-perfect and empowering!
  
  A must watch documentary for anyone and everyone! 

• Dylan Alcott named as Australian of The Year
  
  Dylan Alcott is one of my favourite Australians and I was beyond thrilled that he has been announced as the Australian of The Year! I was cheering so hard when his name was called and tearing up with his moving speech (watch or read it here).
  
  I’ve been following his journey for a few years now, always excited to watch him play Quad Wheelchair tennis – I am at the point now that I’ve forgotten the rules to normal tennis and love the suspense of the incredible multi-coordination effort to get to the ball in time!
  
  Dylan is also the author of Able: Gold Medals, Grand Slams and Smashing Glass Ceilings, his memoir released in 2018. I read along and listened to Dylan narrate the audiobook a few months after it’s release and it was a wonderful, enjoyable and hilarious experience. He explained the experiences of his childhood and how his world opened up as a teenager with sport. Since then he has advocated for disability rights and created accessible options for people with disability, including the Dylan Alcott Foundation to support young people with disability with grants, starting an NDIS ready-made meals provider, Able Foods, and a disability inclusive music festival, Ability Fest. There are no limits to what Dylan has envisioned for all disabled people and I’m sure that he will drive us forward, and create a better future for everybody along the way.
  
  Australian of the Year award is granted to people who go above and beyond for their communities, contribute and advocate for change. It allows the recipient a platform for media coverage, access to government and members of parliament, and sponsorship funding for their cause. Dylan is an incredible nominee and recipient, and has already started sharing his story and advocating for change for disability perceptions in society in only a few short weeks (to be honest, he never stops advocating whenever he gets to speak). I can’t wait to see the powerful movement that Dylan drives forward anytime he speaks and what change will come from it. I’m so glad he has an even bigger platform to work with now. 

• Iuliastration
  
  One of my favourite illustrators on Instagram lately is Iulia Bochis of @iuliastration. Her digital illustrations are simplistic but make an impact, and are accompanied by an uplifting quote or message. There are a lot of similar illustrators on Instagram but Iulia’s work is beautifully consistent and always hits a deep spot within. Plus a few good motivational Monday coffee illustrations for good measure! Check Iulia’s illustrations out on her Instagram or Twitter pages and if you would like to purchase her work, browse her online shop on her website!   

Have you discovered something lately that has brought light to your world? Please leave me a comment below and share the goodness!

Take good care, Readers. I’ll keep the light on.