
Episode #74
Living with Autism & Muscular Dystrophy: Gila's Story
Send us Fan Mail What is it like living with autism, muscular dystrophy and speech and language difficulties? In this episode of Dis-labled, Gila shares an honest and emotional account of her daily life. She talks about work, friendships, independence, anxiety, using a wheelchair, and the challenges of navigating a world that doesn't always understand disability. Gila also opens up about masking, hiding her true feelings, and the pressure to appear happy when things are difficult. Along the way, she reflects on how far she has come, the obstacles she has overcome, and why learning to accept herself has been such an important journey. This is a powerful conversation about disability, identity, resilience and being yourself. 00:00 Living with Autism & Muscular Dystrophy: Gila's Story 01:00 Meet Gila: Autism, Muscular Dystrophy & Speech and Language Difficulties 02:35 Managing Tiredness, Energy & Everyday Life with Muscular Dystrophy 03:26 Physical Disability: The Things Other People Take for Granted 04:12 Wheelchairs, Stairlifts & Conserving Energy to Stay Independent 05:01 Using a Wheelchair: Staring, Accessibility & Asking for Help 05:38 Physiotherapy, Muscle Tightness & Managing a Physical Disability 06:37 "Why Is She in a Wheelchair if She Can Walk?" Challenging Disability Assumptions 07:33 Everyday Accessibility: Walking, Wheelchairs & Card Payment Machines 08:54 Why Asking for Help Can Be Difficult When You Have a Disability 10:09 Autism & Masking: "You See Me Happy, But Inside I'm Not Okay" 12:12 Trust, Emotions & the Difficulty of Letting People See the Real You 13:17 "I Feel Like I'm Masking With You": An Emotional Moment 14:31 Unmasking, Insecurity & Learning to Be Yourself 15:29 Falling, Mobility & Learning to Live Life on Your Own Terms 16:25 Friendship, Baking, Meditation & Finding Ways to Switch Off 19:22 Carol's Poem "Mind": Feeling Different, Isolated & Wanting to Be Heard 22:19 What Gila Wishes People Understood About Her Disability 23:49 Overcoming Obstacles: "I'm Still Going With My Disability" 25:12 From Masking to "I'm Amazing": Gila Reflects on How Far She's Come 26:30 Self-Acceptance, Positivity & Learning to Love Yourself 28:24 Closing Thoughts | Dis-labled Podcast Project Managers: Andrea Rai & Phil Powell Editor: Phil Powell Huge thanks to the National Lottery Reaching Communities Fund for supporting our Dis-labled podcast. Learn more about their amazing work: https://www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk All enquiries: podcast@communityfocus.co.uk Website: https://www.communityfocus.co.uk/ Theme Music: Rastko Rasic & the students of Community FocusOther Music: Jazzy Frenchy by Benjamin Tissot






