Skye High

Skye on Dulgubarra-Yidinji Country (credit: Chloe Padmore)

I gave myself permission to fail…

Skye is a proud queer, neurodivergent, First Nations person with mental and physical disabilities.

Skye is more than that, though. At the age of 27, she has founded her own creative advocacy agency, is working with Magabala Books to publish her debut novel, has her own podcast, and is also a reporter for the ABC.

“I decided to stop subscribing to this societal notion that tells people with disability that we have to work hard and excel to make up for our ‘deficits’.”

“I gave myself permission to fail. I gave myself permission to prove myself wrong. I was messy, silly, determined, driven and followed my entrepreneurial itch. I just did it.”

“There were a lot of times people, or the community, or my own internal thoughts, told me I couldn’t do things. And I was just like…I’m going to prove everyone, and myself, wrong.”

Throughout Skye’s late teens and early 20s, she was not only going through health battles but also battling internalised ableism. She had a lot of pride and fought against being labelled as ‘disabled’ in a world where it can be hard to be perceived as such.

A therapist helped her shed the ‘victim mentality’ she felt early on. “Therapy helped me realise my disabilities and health battles are shared by many other people every single day.

“Realising that I’m not unique or alone gave me the humbling I needed. It made me realise there are a lot of people experiencing these challenges and they exist all over the country. I’m not special, I am part of a community.”

Then there was the internalised racism. Skye had little connection to her Indigenous culture.

When she first started working for Blak & Bright – an organisation dedicated to showcasing First Nations literary voices – she didn’t even know what words like ‘mob’ and ‘yarn’ and ‘deadly’ meant.

Cut to today, she is learning what it means to be prouder of her Dulgubarra-Yidinji heritage.

In fact, Skye is now a strong advocate and immerses herself in these communities. This includes connecting with First Nations advocacy organisations through her creative advocacy agency, and writing content that champions members of the disability and Indigenous communities at the ABC.

Skye said she was an ‘L-plater’ not long ago in these areas. Luckily, she had people who inspired her and opened her eyes to everything these communities offer.

“There’s this thing I’ve noticed in drivers. The second they get their P’s or full licence they forget what it’s like to be an L-plater. I’ve noticed people can be like that in activism as well and I’m determined to never be like that.”

“I’ve worked hard to never forget what it feels like to be a beginner. It’s easy to lose empathy once you gain the privilege of experience and knowledge.”

At her creative advocacy agency, and in her podcast and writing, Skye has found a place to “just be me.”

“All I want is for people who feel disconnected or disempowered to know that they can find their place too.”