Who we are
CheckUP works with partner organisations and health providers to create healthier communities and reduce health inequities through a range of initiatives.
View allWhat we do
CheckUP works with partner organisations and health providers to create healthier communities and reduce health inequities through a range of initiatives.
View allPartner with us
There are so many ways you can support the work of CheckUP and our vision of better health for the people and communities that need it most.
View all
It was 1991 and I was six years old, standing next to my mother in her favourite jewellery store in our small suburban town when a woman told her that I would struggle academically. “You will have to come to terms with it”, the woman told her. “She’s not smart. You will have to make plans for this. It’s not fair to you and it’s not fair to her.” My speech was delayed until I was eight years old. I have encountered numerous levels of stigma throughout my life – yet this comment, when I was six years old… never left me. Never underestimate the power of words.
I have only recently started discussing my synaesthesia. I work in diabetes and metabolic health – everything is graphs and numbers. My singular focus allowed me to achieve high marks in my post-graduation qualifications, start multiple businesses and run clinics across half of Australia. People living with autism or neurodivergence are more than their list of perceived deficits. When understood, we contribute greatly to the world around us.
Inspired by reducing stigma, I’ve chosen to reveal my autism journey, driven by my son’s diagnosis and the desire to reduce the stigma for him and others like us in accessing healthcare. This transformative decision has allowed me to unmask my struggles while celebrating the strengths that arise from my neurodivergence.
As a business owner living with autism, ADHD, and dyslexia, I recognise that individuals with firsthand knowledge of their conditions are the true experts in their lives. Sharing my experiences with disability can help me help others overcome stigma – creating more inclusivity and compassion. Openness fosters understanding and acceptance and empowers others to share their stories. Together, we can build healthier, more vibrant communities that celebrate and support disability and neurodiversity.
Access for All
Approximately 18% of Australia’s population is estimated to have a disability, with around 10% experiencing profound discrimination that hinders their day-to-day activities, including medical visits. This discrimination has tangible effects on their health and mental wellbeing. The healthcare system still struggles with addressing the historical and present stigma surrounding disability.
CheckUP’s Access for All training course bridges gaps in knowledge and experience that healthcare providers face in delivering patient-centred, culturally safe care to people with disability. This initiative, funded by the NDIA, equips healthcare providers like Macintyre Health with vital tools and resources for delivering person-centred care.
Find out moreArticle originally shared in CheckUP’s IMPACT Magazine Vol. 1o