CPActive is there for Hannah Diviney’s National Press Club Address
On December 4, writer, actress, and advocate Hannah Diviney spoke at National Press Club, delivering a powerful address that resonated deeply with our CPActive community. It was a groundbreaking moment, as Hannah was the first woman with a visible disability to grace the iconic stage in Canberra. About time!
For many of us in the CP community, Hannah’s address was a landmark moment—one where we felt truly seen. She was fearless and honest, and shared deeply personal stories about her mental health and what it was like growing up with a disability.
“I didn’t just want to exist in the world—I wanted to change it,” Hannah declared, her voice unwavering. “I wanted to take up space, to be loud enough that people couldn’t ignore us anymore.”
Hannah spoke candidly about the barriers she has faced—from the physical to the systemic—but her focus remained steadfast on the future we can build together. A future where people with disabilities are not only seen but heard, valued, and empowered to lead.
She made the most out of the opportunity to share her personal experience, call out issues of discrimination, and advocate for people with disability to be at the highest levels of government, including the newly vacant position of NDIS Minister.
At CPActive, we believe in the power of storytelling for creating community and creating meaningful change, and this was one of those moments when a story’s power was palpable. No moment was taken for granted – allies were listening, and people with disabilities were being heard.
“Our stories matter,” she said. “We deserve to have our lives reflected back at us in books, in movies, in leadership, in spaces of power.”
Among the live audience were three young disability advocates from CPActive, who told us that seeing Hannahs address was validation to their own experiences.
“Hannah’s storytelling is the kind which draws you in and takes you on a journey where you feel the pain and the jubilation; one minute you’ll be crying the next you’ll be grinning from ear to ear. It was a fantastic listen!”
Luther Hare, CPActive Champion
“As a young person growing up with CP, it was truly insightful to hear her thoughts and her activism methods. It resonated with me on a large scale and was very inspiring.”
Eleanor Dyne, CPActive Champion
“For the first time I felt like I wasn’t alone and can relate to Hannah with her experience of mental health struggles”
Eireann Wood, CPActive Champion
Their reflections, much like Hannah’s words, centred around what it feels like to be represented in spaces that have historically overlooked or excluded people with disabilities.
You can watch Hannah’s full National Press Club speech here: https://youtu.be/nARt4wxCOkU?feature=shared
