[Script Info]
Title: 
[Events]
Format: Layer, Start, End, Style, Name, MarginL, MarginR, MarginV, Effect, Text
Dialogue: 0,0:00:16.46,0:00:20.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This right here is a photo of me\Nwhen I was 14 years old.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:20.30,0:00:22.03,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now, I know what you're thinking,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:22.03,0:00:24.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,'Dylan, mate,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:24.51,0:00:26.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,are you sure that's not Ryan Gosling?'
Dialogue: 0,0:00:26.82,0:00:28.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:00:28.51,0:00:31.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But, unfortunately, no,\Nthis is a photo of me.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:31.51,0:00:34.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now, for a long time, I tried to delete\Nthis photo from my memory,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:35.25,0:00:37.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and to be honest, do you blame me?
Dialogue: 0,0:00:37.76,0:00:40.79,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Firstly, what the hell\Nis going on with my hair there?
Dialogue: 0,0:00:40.79,0:00:42.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I remember my mum's a hairdresser.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:42.44,0:00:46.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I used to sit in the front seat of her car\Nwith a tub of gel and a hairbrush,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:46.08,0:00:48.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and on the way to school every day,\NI'd sit there thinking,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:48.84,0:00:50.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,'Dylan, you have absolutely nailed it!'
Dialogue: 0,0:00:50.72,0:00:52.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:00:52.33,0:00:55.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I still don't understand\Nwhy she let me leave the car.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:55.33,0:00:56.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Also, secondly,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:57.58,0:00:59.17,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,where the hell are my eyebrows?
Dialogue: 0,0:00:59.17,0:01:01.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:01:02.55,0:01:03.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:04.21,0:01:07.00,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,unfortunately for me,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:07.00,0:01:09.69,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I didn't grow any eyebrows\Nuntil I was 17 years old.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:09.69,0:01:12.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now, I understand that I had\Ncompletely no control over that,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:12.96,0:01:16.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but, as you can imagine,\Nit wasn't really helping my cause, was it?
Dialogue: 0,0:01:16.87,0:01:18.19,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I also had braces.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:18.56,0:01:20.31,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I also had my bed in the pantry,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:20.31,0:01:22.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and I was a little bit\Non the overweight side.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:22.94,0:01:24.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This was really the first time in my life
Dialogue: 0,0:01:24.89,0:01:27.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that I was really struggling\Nwith my disability.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:27.86,0:01:32.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Up until this age, I'd never really cared\Nabout the fact that I was in a wheelchair.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:32.39,0:01:35.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Everybody was young,\Nnobody really noticed it,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:35.10,0:01:37.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and everything just\Nwent along pretty smoothly.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:37.56,0:01:42.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But, at this time,\Nthings started to change.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:42.12,0:01:44.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,People started going to house parties.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:44.21,0:01:47.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Boys started kissing girls,\Ngirls started kissing boys.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:47.60,0:01:49.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Girls starting kissing girls,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:49.01,0:01:51.83,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and occasionally,\Nboys started kissing boys.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:51.83,0:01:54.45,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But, absolutely nobody was kissing Dylan,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:54.45,0:01:55.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I can tell you that much.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:56.28,0:01:58.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And it was also about the first time
Dialogue: 0,0:01:58.12,0:02:03.53,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that I really thought about myself\Nas being weird because I had a disability.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:03.54,0:02:05.63,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And, to be honest, that really sucked,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:05.63,0:02:09.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and had a really big effect\Non absolutely everything that I did.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:09.56,0:02:11.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I started having a crap time at school.\N
Dialogue: 0,0:02:11.72,0:02:14.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It really started affecting\Nmy sporting career as well.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:14.40,0:02:17.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,For the first time in my life,\NI was really, really down on myself.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:17.88,0:02:21.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And then, the next year, in Year 9,\Nsomething happened.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:21.24,0:02:23.17,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,A mate of mine was having a house party.\N
Dialogue: 0,0:02:23.17,0:02:25.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now, this was a really good mate of mine.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:25.81,0:02:29.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And previously, I'd never really been\Ninvited to that many house parties,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:29.23,0:02:32.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and I thought, 'What a perfect opportunity\Nto go to your first one.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:32.38,0:02:33.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I'm absolutely going to kill it,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:33.92,0:02:37.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and everybody will invite me\Nto all the parties coming up ever since'.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:37.35,0:02:41.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now, the invites for the party came out,\Nand what do you reckon happened?
Dialogue: 0,0:02:42.12,0:02:43.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I didn't get one.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:43.79,0:02:45.25,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I didn't get an invite.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:45.54,0:02:47.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And I remember thinking to myself,\N
Dialogue: 0,0:02:47.35,0:02:49.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,'That is bullshit.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:49.04,0:02:51.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Like, I'm actually\Nreally good friends with this guy,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:51.52,0:02:54.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,how could I not be invited to his party?'
Dialogue: 0,0:02:54.47,0:02:56.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I was sitting at home\Nthe day of the party,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:56.46,0:03:00.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and I went to myself,\N'I just really, really want to go'.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:00.54,0:03:05.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now, back in the day when you're 15,16,\Nit was super uncool and lame
Dialogue: 0,0:03:05.10,0:03:07.69,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to text the person to ask\Nif you can come to the party.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:07.94,0:03:11.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The far more badass thing to do\Nwas simply turn up and jump the fence.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:11.94,0:03:13.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:03:13.36,0:03:15.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now, as you could imagine,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:15.75,0:03:18.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,jumping, it's not really my forte.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:18.48,0:03:21.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And unless I had some kind of crane\Nor, like, trampoline device ...
Dialogue: 0,0:03:21.81,0:03:22.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:03:22.87,0:03:25.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,there was no way in hell\Nthat I was getting over that fence.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:25.92,0:03:26.97,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The only way to get in
Dialogue: 0,0:03:26.97,0:03:29.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,was to knock on the door\Nand go through the front.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:29.30,0:03:31.49,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Anyway, I sat at home\Nand I'm like, 'Stuff it.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:31.49,0:03:33.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I'm going to go and see what happens'.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:33.30,0:03:36.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I go to the front door, knocked\Non the door, and my mate answered.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:36.44,0:03:40.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And he had this really weird, shocked look\Non his face, like I was there.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:40.22,0:03:42.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I remember thinking to myself,\Nlike, 'What have I done?
Dialogue: 0,0:03:42.85,0:03:46.59,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Why didn't I sit at home and play N64,\Nlike I did every other Saturday night?'
Dialogue: 0,0:03:46.59,0:03:48.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Anyway, he looked at me, and he said,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:48.35,0:03:51.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,'Dyl, mate, I'm so glad that you came.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:51.26,0:03:54.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I didn't know if you could\Nget in my house because of the stairs,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:54.43,0:03:56.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,so I didn't invite you'.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:56.06,0:03:58.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I remember thinking\Nto myself, 'Is that it?
Dialogue: 0,0:03:58.41,0:04:01.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Is that genuinely the only reason\Nthat I wasn't invited?'
Dialogue: 0,0:04:01.92,0:04:03.61,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Anyway, I went in that house party,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:03.61,0:04:05.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,absolutely crushed it,\Nhad an awesome time.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:05.99,0:04:07.57,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:04:08.19,0:04:12.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I remember the next day, I woke up,\Nand I was really bloody mad at myself.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:13.02,0:04:14.29,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I was really mad at myself
Dialogue: 0,0:04:14.29,0:04:18.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that I let my insecurities\Nand my embarrassment about my disability
Dialogue: 0,0:04:18.06,0:04:20.57,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,\Ndictate the previous year of my life.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:20.57,0:04:23.29,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I was really mad at myself\Nthat I believed this thing,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:23.29,0:04:25.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,this negative stigma\Nthat having a disability
Dialogue: 0,0:04:25.60,0:04:27.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,makes you weird, makes you different,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:27.67,0:04:30.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and that's the only reason\Npeople don't want to hang out with you.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:30.77,0:04:34.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I'm really mad at myself\Nthat I didn't just grow a set of balls,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:34.55,0:04:38.71,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,have some confidence, talk to my friends\Nand educate them about my disability.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:38.71,0:04:40.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now, the only reason\NI wasn't invited that night
Dialogue: 0,0:04:40.96,0:04:42.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,wasn't because they didn't like me,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:42.74,0:04:45.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but it was because I didn't tell them\Nabout my disability.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:45.46,0:04:47.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I didn't tell them\NI could get up the stairs,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:47.58,0:04:48.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and it'll all be fine.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:48.72,0:04:52.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I sat at home for a whole year\Nthinking these people didn't like me.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:52.22,0:04:56.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The only reason that they did was because\Nthey weren't educated about disability,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:56.21,0:04:58.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and I really didn't do anything\Nto educate them on it.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:58.85,0:05:01.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, after that night,\Nthings really changed for me.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:01.94,0:05:03.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I started being more social,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:03.56,0:05:05.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I started getting a lot fitter,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:05.06,0:05:06.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I started going out a lot more,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:06.73,0:05:09.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and I even started kissing\Nthe odd girl or two.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:09.33,0:05:11.19,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:05:11.50,0:05:13.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,After that night,\NI made a pact with myself.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:13.73,0:05:14.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I made a pact with myself
Dialogue: 0,0:05:14.98,0:05:19.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to never, ever let my disability\Nget in the way of what I wanted to do.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:19.72,0:05:22.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I made a pact with myself\Nto not be scared of my disability,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:22.81,0:05:25.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but rather to embrace it\Nin everything that I did.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:25.84,0:05:30.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Because of that, I've been able to live\Na truly, incredibly awesome life.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:30.50,0:05:32.05,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In 2008, I was lucky enough
Dialogue: 0,0:05:32.05,0:05:34.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to win a gold medal\Nat the Paralympic games,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:34.74,0:05:38.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,playing basketball for Australia -\Nwheelchair basketball, believe it or not.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:38.70,0:05:40.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This was incredible for me.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:40.24,0:05:43.19,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Ever since I was a kid, I wanted to go\Nto the Paralympic games.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:43.19,0:05:45.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The Paralympics -\Nfor those who don't know -
Dialogue: 0,0:05:45.24,0:05:48.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is the pinnacle of elite sport\Nfor people with disabilities.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:48.11,0:05:49.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But a lot of people
Dialogue: 0,0:05:49.50,0:05:52.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,don't know the true meaning\Nof the word 'Paralympic'.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:52.60,0:05:54.25,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The word is actually split in two:
Dialogue: 0,0:05:54.25,0:05:56.63,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the 'Olympic' part -\Nwhich represents the Olympics,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:56.63,0:05:57.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the pinnacle of sport -
Dialogue: 0,0:05:57.84,0:05:59.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and the 'Para' part.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:59.39,0:06:00.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,There's a common misconception
Dialogue: 0,0:06:00.82,0:06:04.71,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that the 'Para' part\Nactually means paraplegic or paralysed,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:04.71,0:06:06.19,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but this isn't the case.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:06.19,0:06:09.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The 'Para' actually represents 'parallel',
Dialogue: 0,0:06:09.10,0:06:12.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,meaning the Paralympics runs parallel,\Nor alongside, the Olympics.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:12.93,0:06:17.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Same gold medals, same venues,\Nsame elite athletes, same time.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:17.22,0:06:20.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The only difference is obviously we all\Nhave disabilities at the Paralympics.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:20.84,0:06:23.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now, this was awesome in Beijing for me.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:23.10,0:06:24.87,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I was 17 years old at the time,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:24.87,0:06:29.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,so I was still doing my HSC or VCE\Nwhile I was over there.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:29.25,0:06:33.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,To be 17 years old and sit on top\Nof the podium with 12 of your best mates -
Dialogue: 0,0:06:33.50,0:06:36.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,guys that had lost limbs to cancer,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:36.01,0:06:38.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,other guys that had horrific accidents\Non their worksites
Dialogue: 0,0:06:38.72,0:06:40.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,so were left up in wheelchairs.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:40.33,0:06:43.29,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Other guys who had car crashes\Nand never be able to walk again
Dialogue: 0,0:06:43.29,0:06:45.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and lost loved ones in the process.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:45.28,0:06:49.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,To sit on top of that podium\Nand so proud of what we had done,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:49.18,0:06:51.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,singing that national anthem\Nwith tears in our eyes -
Dialogue: 0,0:06:51.68,0:06:53.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,it was the best thing\Nthat ever happened to me.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:53.86,0:06:56.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It really was incredible\Nand something I'll cherish forever.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:56.68,0:06:58.59,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I've also got a bit of a name for myself
Dialogue: 0,0:06:58.59,0:07:01.65,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,as the dude that crowd surfs \Nin his wheelchair at festivals.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:01.67,0:07:03.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:07:03.18,0:07:05.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I've been very lucky\Nto travel around the world
Dialogue: 0,0:07:05.38,0:07:07.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,attending different music festivals.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:07.20,0:07:08.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Everybody knows me as,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:08.26,0:07:10.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,'You're the guy that\Ncrowd surfs in his wheelchair!'
Dialogue: 0,0:07:10.75,0:07:13.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,To be honest, the first [time]\Nthat I ever did this
Dialogue: 0,0:07:13.14,0:07:14.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,was completely out of necessity
Dialogue: 0,0:07:14.82,0:07:17.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because I was sick and tired\Nof sitting in the mosh pit
Dialogue: 0,0:07:17.40,0:07:19.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and looking at all your asses all day.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:19.22,0:07:20.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:07:20.32,0:07:22.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You don't understand how much\Nthat sucks after a while.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:22.94,0:07:25.95,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But from the first time I did it,\NI was absolutely hooked.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:25.95,0:07:28.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's an incredible feeling, \Nsitting on top of that crowd
Dialogue: 0,0:07:28.62,0:07:31.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in what I like to call\Nthe best seat in the house.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:31.78,0:07:32.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It really is incredible.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:32.93,0:07:36.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I think it's a really cool metaphor\Nfor people with disabilities as well,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:36.41,0:07:37.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,what they can really do,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:37.56,0:07:40.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,getting out there, breaking the mould,\Ndoing what's unexpected of them.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:40.89,0:07:42.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,On a side note,\NI've only fallen out once.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:42.90,0:07:45.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And don't worry, I didn't get\Nany more disabled from the fall,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:45.85,0:07:46.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,so it's all good.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:46.85,0:07:48.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:07:48.56,0:07:49.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:50.38,0:07:53.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,when I reflect on my life,\NI think back to when -
Dialogue: 0,0:07:53.04,0:07:54.95,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I'm really happy that I can sit here now
Dialogue: 0,0:07:54.95,0:07:59.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and think that all this stuff\Nalmost didn't happen to me.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:59.04,0:08:02.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I remember back when I was 14,\NI think of 14-year-old Dylan, and I think
Dialogue: 0,0:08:02.78,0:08:06.71,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I had these really low expectations\Nof myself of what I could achieve.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:06.71,0:08:09.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And I let that dictate\Nwhat I did in everyday life.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:09.80,0:08:11.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I think back to 14-year-old Dylan
Dialogue: 0,0:08:11.38,0:08:16.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,who thought of his disability\Nas this really shitty burden
Dialogue: 0,0:08:16.01,0:08:18.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that was really hard to overcome.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:18.20,0:08:19.83,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I think back to 14-year-old Dylan,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:19.83,0:08:22.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and I think I'm so lucky doing\Nwhat I'm doing these days.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:22.54,0:08:25.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I'm so glad that I could challenge\Nmy own perception
Dialogue: 0,0:08:25.02,0:08:27.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,about what I thought about disability.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:27.04,0:08:29.95,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And to be honest, I can sit here\Nin front of you all today
Dialogue: 0,0:08:29.95,0:08:31.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and tell you 100% honest truth:
Dialogue: 0,0:08:31.52,0:08:33.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,if I ever had the chance\Nto go back in time
Dialogue: 0,0:08:33.78,0:08:36.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or eat some kind of magic pill\Nand walk again,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:36.34,0:08:39.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,there's no way in hell\Nyou could pay me enough to do it.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:39.04,0:08:41.71,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Because I absolutely love\Neverything in my life,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:41.71,0:08:42.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,wheelchair or not.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:42.72,0:08:44.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I wouldn't change it for the world.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:44.34,0:08:49.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But, unfortunately, there are so many kids\Nacross the world, all around Australia
Dialogue: 0,0:08:49.93,0:08:53.37,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that are really struggling socially\Nbecause of their disabilities.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:53.71,0:08:57.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Disability remains this thing\Nthat nobody wants to talk about.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:57.75,0:08:59.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,There's still this negative stigma
Dialogue: 0,0:08:59.38,0:09:04.87,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that having this disability\Nis this weird, unlucky, really ugly thing.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:05.09,0:09:07.95,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And for kids with disability\Nthat don't have any confidence,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:07.95,0:09:10.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,it's really hard\Nfor them to get over this
Dialogue: 0,0:09:10.06,0:09:12.61,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and get into the world\Nand do what they want to do.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:12.61,0:09:15.69,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And it really restricts everything\Nthat they want to achieve.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:15.69,0:09:17.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,There are heaps of problems in the world:
Dialogue: 0,0:09:17.66,0:09:21.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,poverty, refugees,\Nsame-sex marriage, gender equality.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:21.73,0:09:24.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They're all very, very important things.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:24.33,0:09:27.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But when the hell do you ever\Nhear anything about disability?
Dialogue: 0,0:09:27.57,0:09:29.19,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Or when do you ever turn on the TV
Dialogue: 0,0:09:29.19,0:09:32.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and see the first news story\Nabout somebody with a disability?
Dialogue: 0,0:09:32.09,0:09:35.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Or when do you turn on your TV\Nand see a wheelchair TV presenter -
Dialogue: 0,0:09:35.24,0:09:37.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,sorry, a presenter in a wheelchair?
Dialogue: 0,0:09:37.44,0:09:39.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Or somebody with cerebral palsy\Nin our parliaments?
Dialogue: 0,0:09:39.92,0:09:43.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Or an actual blind actor\Nplaying a blind actor,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:43.58,0:09:46.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,as opposed to some bloke\Nwho's just closing his eyes?
Dialogue: 0,0:09:46.06,0:09:47.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:09:47.14,0:09:48.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now, I remember when I was a kid,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:48.88,0:09:51.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,when I was struggling, when I was 14,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:51.16,0:09:53.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I just wish I could have\Nturned on my television
Dialogue: 0,0:09:53.50,0:09:55.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and seen a guy in a wheelchair achieving.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:55.78,0:09:57.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Because it would have\Nmade me realise that,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:57.84,0:10:01.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,'You know what? I could do that too!\NThat, one day, could be me'.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:01.94,0:10:04.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I wish I had a positive\Nrole model in the media
Dialogue: 0,0:10:04.13,0:10:06.71,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,where I could have seen somebody\Nabsolutely killing it,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:06.71,0:10:08.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and that would've instilled\Nthe confidence in me
Dialogue: 0,0:10:08.96,0:10:11.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to get out there and do whatever I want.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:11.50,0:10:14.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I think it's really important\Nmoving forward that we, as a society,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:14.98,0:10:17.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,change our perception of disability\Naway from this idea
Dialogue: 0,0:10:17.77,0:10:21.25,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that it's this really bad,\Nunlucky, weird thing,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:21.25,0:10:23.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and stop being so scared to talk about it.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:23.46,0:10:26.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We need to realise that it's okay\Nto have any disability,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:26.82,0:10:31.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and we need to further our expectations\Nof what people with disabilities can do.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:31.12,0:10:33.25,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Moving forward,\NI think in order to do that,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:33.25,0:10:35.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we need to mainstream disability.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:35.14,0:10:38.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Get people with disabilities\Ninto our mainstream media,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:38.35,0:10:41.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and that will increase\Nthe visibility in a positive light.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:41.35,0:10:44.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We need to make disability\Nheaps more commonplace.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:44.35,0:10:46.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We need to start\Nthe conversation about it,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:46.35,0:10:48.83,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,which will go a long way\Nin normalising it.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:48.83,0:10:50.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And then, who knows?
Dialogue: 0,0:10:50.72,0:10:52.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Maybe one day, if we can do that,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:52.64,0:10:55.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,these kids, like me, like I used to be,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:55.26,0:10:57.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,won't be going through such a tough time.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:57.68,0:11:00.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They won't be embarrassed\Nabout their disability ever again.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:00.98,0:11:04.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They'll have the confidence\Nto go out there and do whatever they want.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:04.42,0:11:09.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But, as a society, we really have to hope \Nthey pick a much better haircut than that.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:09.96,0:11:11.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Thank you.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:11.40,0:11:14.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Applause) (Cheers)