61. S5, Ep6: Empowering labels, navigating relationships and advocating for neurodivergent and disabled people

Marie Ralph is an autistic, disabled single mum to two neurodivergent sons. She is 48 and was diagnosed five years ago. She lives in Newquay, Cornwall in the UK, where as well as being a full time carer, she is Director of Youth Art Connect and Cornwall Tourettes and Tic Disorder Group.  Marie has spent countless hours fighting for equality, promoting anti ableism in education and organisations, and provide training and support in all things neurodivergent. She strives to change perceptions of what neurodiversity is, and to show that hidden disabilities are no less disabling than more obvious physical ones.  In our conversation we talk about: ➡ Meltdowns, eye contact and difficulties navigating friendships and romantic relationships ➡ How working in care settings with autistic young people helped her realise she was autistic ➡ Her experience of advocating for her neurodivergent sons, and for other neurodivergent people in her community ➡ Attitudes towards disability, accessibility and accommodations Squarepeg is a podcast in which neurodivergent women, and trans and nonbinary people, explore navigating a neurotypical world and share their insights, challenges and successes. I hope that these conversations will be inspiring and thought provoking, open you up to new ways of thinking about being neurodivergent, and help you feel more connected to a worldwide community of people with similar experiences. I’m Amy Richards, and after being diagnosed autistic at the age of 37 I’m now on a mission to learn more about different perspectives and issues around being a neurodivergent adult in a world that feels like it doesn’t quite fit.   EPISODE LINKS: Marie’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marie-ralph-b82456a4/  Youth Art Connect website: https://youthartconnect.org/ Youth Art Connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YouthArtConnect/  Cornwall tourette syndrome and tic disorder support group: https://www.facebook.com/Cornwall-Tourette-Syndrome-Support-Group-323546645067794/ If you'd like to connect or get in touch with Squarepeg, you can find me on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/squarepeg.community/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/squarepegautism  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/squarepegautism/  Or on my website: https://squarepeg.community/    THANK YOU TO MY PATRONS! A HUGE thank you to my amazing patrons, who support my work on the podcast: Abi Hunter, Amy Adler, Amy-Beth Mellor, Abigail J Moore, Ben Davies, Benita Borchard-Thierbach, Caroline, Cat Preston, Catrin Green, Cindy Bailey, Corinne Cariad, Danielle Warby, Elizabeth Williams, Elise, Jackie Allen, Jeff Goldman, Kate Faust, Katharine Richards, Katherine Lynch, Lea Li, Lilli Simmons, Mandy Allen, Pete Burke, Rebecca Kemp, Sarah Jeffery, Sarah Swanton, Susan Millington, Suzanna Chen, Tree Hall, Una Walkenhorst, Vera Cady, Vicki Temple and Victoria Routledge. If you’re enjoying the Squarepeg podcast and would like to help me carry on making new episodes, you can become a member of the Squarepeg community on Patreon from just £3 per month: https://www.patreon.com/squarepegpodcast