We’ve Got This: Stories by Disabled Parents

Jax Brown (they/them) is an esteemed disability and LGBTQIA+ rights activist, writer, educator and consultant. Their tireless commitment to LGBTIQA+ disability human rights and advocacy has been recognised with a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM). Jax utilises their experience as a queer, trans wheelchair user to explore intersectional identities. They view disability as a socio-political issue of intersectional equality, access, and human rights. Jax also runs their own business in LGBTIQA+ disability rights and inclusion where they provide sought after guest speaking, education, workshops and training for community members and allies. Jax is the co-chair of Inclusive Rainbow Voices: a new organisation for LGBTIQA+ people with disabilities. They have served on the Victorian Disability Advisory Council, Victorian Government’s LGBTI Taskforce Health and Human Services Working Group, and the Victorian Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission’s Disability Reference Group. Jax’s work has been published widely online and in several anthologies: Queer Disability Anthology (2015), QueerStories: Reflections on Lives Well Lived from Some of Australia's Finest LGBTIQA+ Writers (2018), Kindred: 12 Queer #LoveOzYA Stories (2019), Growing up Queer in Australia (2019) and We've Got This: Stories by Disabled Parents (2022). Their memoir in the making, ‘Exile and Pride’ received Runner Up in the category 'Self Told Stories by Writers with a Disability' in the Lord Mayor's Creative Writing Awards 2022.

Mandy McCracken is a writer, speaker, disability advocate and regular face in Australia's media.

In 2021 Mandy was the recipient of the ABC Regional Storyteller Scholarship and released the fun and insightful podcast series called "Look Mum, No Hands". She presented the ABC's Saturday Afternoon digital radio program and has featured on numerous radio and tv programs sharing her experience of living without hands and feet.

Mandy co-founded The Quad Squad, an international support group for quadruple amputees. She facilitates their bi-annual Quad Squad Muster, bringing together multiple limb amputees from around the world and is working on setting up a disability support program that she hopes to run Australia wide. Mandy also volunteers regularly as a peer supporter to other new amputees and with La Trobe University's Prosthetic department, helping their students learn how to build prosthetic limbs.

Never one stop let anything stop her, Mandy has just returned to rock climbing and is determined to live a vibrant and fun filled life with her husband and three daughters.

Shakira Hussein is a writer and researcher based at the University of Melbourne. She is the author of From Victims to Suspects: Muslim women since 9/11 (Yale University Press/New South) and her work has been published in a wide range of academic, literary and media publications.

Eliza Hull is an award-winning musician, writer and disability advocate. Eliza is a disabled woman, with a physical disability ‘Charcot Marie Tooth.’ Eliza is the editor and creator of the book We’ve Got This: Stories by Disabled Parents. She has been a guest on The Today Show, The Drum, ABC News Breakfast, ABC’S Q&A and is on ABC Radio regularly. She recently presented 'Stir it up' on Double J. She is a contributor in Growing Up Disabled in Australia and has a children’s book titled Come Over to My House co-written with children’s author Sally Rippin. Eliza Hull has spoken at the Human Rights Convention ‘Free and Equal’, for the NDIS, DARU, Brunswick Music Festival, The Wheeler Centre and the Changes Music Conference. Recently Eliza was awarded the Music Victoria ‘Amplify’ award, the APRA mentorship and the National Leadership Award from the Australia Council and Arts Access Australia.