Jerusha Mather

Jerusha Mather is an activist, writer, poet, and PhD candidate in biomedical science.

Growing up living with cerebral palsy, Jerusha developed a passion for inclusion at a young age, writing to major companies from food manufacturers to fashion houses asking them to make their products accessible. Her desire for people with disability to be represented in decision-making prompted her to pursue a career in medical research, becoming one of the Australian Academy of Science’s STEM Women Changemakers.

Jerusha’s commentary on education, accessibility and disability has been published in national publications including the Sydney Morning Herald and Women’s Agenda. Her first book of poetry, Burnt Bones and Beautiful Butterflies, was published in September 2020.

You don’t understand me

You haven’t walked in my shoes

You haven’t had a heart as loud as lions

And a soul full of broken shiny stars

That light up all the dark places 

Jerusha Mather, Soft