For Stephanie, filmmaking and storytelling aren’t just a way for her to express creativity, they are a way to change how disability is portrayed in mainstream society. For the International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD), Stephanie talks about falling in love with all things creative, advocacy and improving the representation of disability in the media.

“I absolutely love telling emotive stories that can connect with audiences, giving them a sense of belonging and feeling understood. I also love how the screen can give audiences a sense of wonder in the world around them, shining a light on the joyful moments in a world that can often feel dark,” she says.

Stephanie first studied film and television in high school — it’s where her lifelong passion for storytelling began. She continued to pursue it through university. Today, she’s a well-known freelance producer, writer and editor with her own production company, Dower Productions.

As he says in her interview, “I want to use stories to re-frame how disability is portrayed and work towards normalising the experience of disability in mainstream society.”

How support from Mable has helped

For Stephanie, having choice and control by the way of support through Mable, has been key to empowerment, both professional and personal. Stephanie travels a lot for her work, nationally and internationally, for instance.

“Support workers help me pack my luggage and shop for any last minute necessities. I travel with a power wheelchair and have to prepare it and my wheelchair kit if I am needing to travel by air. My support workers also help me adjust my wheelchair and ensure I have all the bits and pieces I need to dismantle my chair at the airport to get it on the plane.”

Stephanie also talks about advocating for more representation of people with disability in mainstream media and fighting stereotypes surrounding disability — Read the full story published on Women’s Agenda.

Also read

Read some of our other incredible stories for IDPwD 2022:

1. Penny: IDPwD 2022: “Yes, I’m a person with disability. Yes, I hike”

2. Caitlin: IDPwD 2022: “I think I’m as smart and talented as anyone else”

3. Tim: IDPwD 2022: Tim Ragg on how sports rescued him

4. Kathy: IDPwD 2022: “Autistic adults are everywhere, they are creative, have relationships, and run businesses”

5. Angela: IDPwD 2022: “Life didn’t end, I just had to adjust to my differently-abled body”Check out our Facebook and Instagram pages to see how Mable is celebrating the International Day of People with Disability.