Public broadcaster promotes Maddie’s story

MADDIE Fogarty found an outlet and a community in the Ballarat arts scene.

Studying speech and drama, she’s a writer, a storyteller and a performer, but she may not have had the opportunity to find these passions, had she stayed in northern Victoria.

Encouraged by her aunty to enter the ABC Heywire writing competition, open to youths from 16 to 22, Maddie got to ‘tell it like it is,’ and was announced one of 37 national winners.

“The ad was calling for youth to share their stories from regional Australia,” she said. “I was born in Kerang. I have cerebral palsy in all four limbs.

“The only things to do in a small country town is play sport. You’re either part of the football club, the netball club or you’re not in with the community.

“It wasn’t going to be a good place for me to grow up, and it was going to be a detriment on my mental health because I couldn’t fit in.”

Moving to Geelong, Maddie then settled in Ballarat at the age of 10 and opportunities opened up for for her get creative. But the presence of sport and activity was still huge, and her difference of ability would surprise.

“I can’t do some small things like tie up my shoelaces, but then on the other end, some people also get surprised when I say I can’t swim or ride a bicycle, because they don’t understand the use of the limbs and balance,” she said.

Maddie has used ABC Heywire as a vehicle to share her story because she thinks sometimes people forget disabled people exist.

“I know it’s hard to be aware all the time, but even in the supermarket when people push, or they’re not aware, it affects my balance and ability to walk safely,” she said.

“I’m hoping I can increase people’s awareness of disabled people in their surroundings, but also tell them how important it is for disabled people to be included in things and in the community.

“I think that sport is a good thing, and it’s nice to offer people with disabilities a role in sport, if they’re willing. Disabled people can be an asset in sport.”

She said she has been lucky the arts gave her a community and chances to delve into exciting projects.

“The arts is a great place for expression. In Kerang, the only opportunity I would have had to be involved in the community was sport. It’s a really deep-rooted tradition, but it doesn’t work for everyone.”

Looking to 2020, 17-year-old Maddie is heading into year 12, and as a result of her ABC Heywire win, to the ACT.

“I’m having my story recorded for the radio and going to a youth summit in Canberra in February.

“We’ll be focussing on leadership and talking about issues in regional Australia, including the acceptance of LGBTQI+ people, drought, adequate health care facilities…

“Because there’s 37 of us going, we all have something different to offer and will work to come up with solutions that might solve these problems,” she said.