Family, Whanau and Disability

22. Ali Beasley, ‘Emilias Colours’, Parenting and Family life with a Special Needs Child (part 1)

• Louise Ratcliffe • Season 2019 • Episode 1022

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Research and co-ordination: Lisa Pirihi and Carolyn Jury
Presenters: Louise Ratcliffe
Produced by Louise Ratcliffe and FreeFM89.0

Guests: Ali Beasley

Ali Beasley lives in Nelson with her husband Keith and their two teenage children, George and Emilia.
Emilia was diagnosed with autism at the age of seven, which had a profound impact on the whole family.
Ali has recently written a book, Emilia’s Colours, which shares the highs and lows of living with a child with a major disability in words that are frank, touching and ultimately hopeful.
Ali is an English graduate, with a background in residential social work with deaf adults in the UK, and has also worked as a Grant writer for Whenua Iti (an outward bound charity) in the Nelson region. She is a lover of the natural world (walking, yoga and Qigong) and also reading and poetry.
Ali is a fierce advocate for disability issues, and in writing Emilia’s Colours hopes to support other parents who may be struggling to cope with the unpredictable nature of life with an autistic child. She also aims to raise awareness and a better understanding of this ‘invisible’ disability.

Programme Synopsis

  • Ali tells Louise all about their family journey to Emilia’s diagnosis and how it has impacted their lives

Music

True Colours by Cyndi Lauper
Rainbow Connection version by Gwen Stefanie

Tune in to Parent to Parent's podcast Connect, Inform, Support

Connect, Inform, Support features interviews with professionals and specialists on disability-related topics, and is a source of information and resources for families and whānau caring for people with disabilities.

Discussion topics cover a range of subjects related to disability and special needs, such as inclusive education, supporting someone with special needs, and the challenges and triumphs of living with disability.

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