Carly Findlay Explained

Carly Findlay
Occupation:Writer; speaker
Nationality:Australian
Spouse:Adam Morrow
Parents:Roger & Jeanette Findlay
Birth Place:Albury, New South Wales
Education:Murray High School, Lavington
Alma Mater:La Trobe University
RMIT University

Carly Findlay (born 1981) is an Australian writer, speaker, and online influencer. Findlay describes herself as an 'appearance activist', and has been outspoken on a number of disability-related issues.[1] [2] [3] She has been particularly vocal on the right to privacy of children with a disability as well as the importance of representation and inclusion of disabled people both in general life, and particularly in fashion.[4] Findlay makes use of social media to document her love of fashion, food, as well as the treatment and ableism she faces because she has ichthyosis, a genetic disorder that affects her skin and hair.[5] She has built a business and personal brand around being disabled

Biography

Early life

Findlay's parents courted illegally for four years in South Africa during the Apartheid and moved to Australia in order to marry in 1981.[6] [7] [8] Her mother Jeanette was classified as coloured South African, while her father Roger was an Englishman.

Findlay was born on 8 December 1981 in Albury, New South Wales, three weeks pre-mature and was diagnosed with a form of the genetic disease ichthyosis: congenital ichthyosiform erythroderma.[9] [10] [11]

Education

The Findlay family moved from Albury to a small village Walla Walla before she started preschool. Findlay attended Walla Walla Primary School and when she was 10 years old was diagnosed with a different form of ichthyosis, Netherton syndrome through genetic testing.[12]

Findlay attended Murray High School in Albury and, during her final year, started working at a local Kmart department store.[13] Findlay recalls feeling more comfortable with hospital staff than her fellow students.[10]

Findlay studied at La Trobe University in Wodonga and in 2002 graduated with a Bachelor of eCommerce.[14] She moved to Melbourne in 2003 to work for the Australian Public Service and completed her Masters of Communication from RMIT University from 2005 to 2012.

Career

From February 2003 to November 2017, Findlay was employed by the Australian Tax Department[15] and from September 2016 to May 2017, held the position of Communication Coordinator for People with Disability Australia Inc.

In 2012 and 2013, Findlay had three encounters with taxi drivers which led her to make a complaint to the Victorian Taxi Commission and the Australian Human Rights Commission.[16] [17] [18] The drivers in questions refused to transport Findlay, making comments on her appearance, alleged intoxication, and smell, and claiming she would damage their vehicle.

After the third incident, Findlay lodged a complaint with the taxi company as did the hotel concierge who booked the taxi for her. When no action was taken, she complained to the Victorian Taxi Commission and the Australian Human Rights Commission.

Findlay has had a number of speaking gigs, both individually and as a part of event panels including Women of Letters, opening for Julia Gillard at Layne Beachley's Women in Leadership luncheon, Progress 2017, University of Western England, ProBlogger, Melbourne Writers Festival, Emerging Writers Festival, Dangerous Ideas around Disability and the Royal Melbourne Hospital. Findlay also regularly appears on podcasts and radio programs.[19] [20] [21]

Findlay has made a number of media appearances that placed her in the spotlight. In 2017 Findlay appeared on the ABC television series You Can't Ask That and Cyber Hate with Tara Moss, and in 2018 she appeared on Channel Ten's The Project in response to an interview with Jon Faine on ABC Radio.[22] [23] On 28 March 2018, Findlay had appeared on ABC Radio's morning show to discuss microaggressions and disability.[24] During the interview, the host Jon Faine described Findlay as looking like a “burns victim” and having a face that wouldn't “be good at Halloween”, before asking about her sex life.[25] [26]

Faine's line of questioning has been described by commentators and the public as “offensive”, “disrespectful” and “inappropriate”, while they described Findlay's reaction as “composed” and “polite”. Faine later apologised. The incident was later cited by former ABC boss Michelle Guthrie as causative to her being sacked by the ABC Board.[27] Guthrie appealed the decision to fire her and reached an out of court settlement with the ABC.https://www.theguardian.com/media/2019/mar/01/abc-and-michelle-guthrie-reach-settlement-over-unfair-dismissal-claim

Findlay attributes most of her success to her appearance on You Can't Ask That.

In 2018, Findlay started promoting her upcoming book at a number of writers festivals across Australia, including the Feminist Writers Festival, Bendigo Writers Festival and at five events during the Melbourne Writers Festival, including a spoken word performance as part of the Quippings: Disability unleashed theatre group.[28] [29]

Findlay is currently employed in the role of Access and Inclusion Coordinator for the Melbourne Fringe Festival one day a week as well as providing customised disability awareness, social media and blogging training to organisations.[30] [3] She co-hosts a podcast called Refreshments Provided with Jason Scott Watkins.

Access to Fashion

As a self-proclaimed fashion lover, Findlay was unhappy with the lack of representation people with disabilities have in the media and fashion landscape.[31] Propelled by her own experience of exclusion and elitism in fashion, in July 2018 she announced the first-ever disability-inclusive event to be held as part of Melbourne Fashion Week which was staged away from the main event.[32] [33] [34]

"We're not treated the same when we go into stores. For me, I am sometimes not even spoken to. They think I am not going to want their clothes or their service, or they might be embarrassed to be seen with me,” Findlay said.

'Access to Fashion - Disability on the Runway: an Exploration of Disability Inclusion in the Fashion Industry' was held on 1 September 2018, and included a panel discussion as well as a runway show. It featured a number of models and fashion designers with disabilities.

Writing

Findlay was a writer from a young age, and started her self-titled blog in 2009.[35] Findlay's blog details significant events in her life, her experience of life with ichthyosis, and her commentary as an appearance activist.

Findlay has written for a variety of online and traditional media, including the ABC, SBS, Sydney Morning Herald, The Guardian, The Age, Essential Baby, Kidspot, Ravishly, Frankie Magazine, and Mamamia. After a journalist dubbed Findlay an appearance activist, she claimed the title and has since written on a range of topics related to appearance diversity and disabilities in general. Her writing also appears in anthologies - Growing Up African in Australia (edited by Maxine Beneba Clarke), Women of a Certain Rage, and Me Too - Stories from the Australian Movement; as well as in Bec Sparrow's Ask Me Anything and Tara Moss' Speaking Out. She was also included in 200 women who will change the way you will see the world.[36]

Representation

A common theme of Findlay's work is the importance of representation of people of diverse appearance in the media, fashion, and general life.[37] She takes “back the [ableist] gaze through social media”[38] [39] and her blog, using them as a platform to promote her brand, her love of fashion, ableism and the treatment and pain she experiences in association with her condition.

Part of Findlay's push for representation is the need for disabled people to control how their stories are told, stopping disability being a tragedy or a burden to be overcome, and a push against so-called inspiration porn, a term coined by the late Stella Young.

“In fairy tales, the characters who look different are often cast as the villain or monsters. It's only when they shed their unconventional skin that they are seen as 'good' or less frightening. There are very few stories where the character that looks different is the hero of the story ... I've been the hero of my story - telling it on my own terms, proud about my facial difference and disability, not wanting a cure for my rare, severe and sometimes confronting skin condition, and knowing that I am beautiful even though I don't have beauty privilege.”

Privacy

The right to privacy for both children and adults with disability is an important facet of Findlay's writing.[40] Findlay has said she is grateful to her parents for not sharing her story without her consent and has taken issue with individual parents and parenting groups who have “overshared” their children's stories. She explored this topic in one of her performances at the 2018 Melbourne Writers Festival.

Identity

For Findlay, disability is a more central aspect of her identity than her racial background and she embraces the term 'disabled person' rather than 'person with a disability'.

“Often when I write about disability and use the term 'disabled', people (strangers) correct me. They do so as they see disability as a bad thing ... Many disabled people see disability as part of our identity - just like race, sexuality, religion, gender etc. and that's ok. And many disabled people don't, and that's ok too. We can choose how to identify. And 'disabled' and 'disability' are not bad words.”

Findlay says that she did not identify as having a disability until her mid-twenties, but doing so has given her a platform on which to build her brand, a sense of confidence and a community.

“Giving myself the labels of 'disabled' and 'chronically ill' has been very empowering. I feel great sense of belonging – and that's as big a relief as a diagnosis is. It's given me pride. I am proud to belong to an amazing, talented, diverse, passionate community that's committed to selflessly improving the lives of others.”

Say Hello

After receiving five publication offers, on 3 July 2017, Findlay signed a book deal with Harper Collins. 'Say Hello' was launched in January 2019.

Findlay wrote that “Say Hello will be the book I needed to read when I was younger. I didn't have any role models with my condition until I searched the internet in my teens. There were no memoirs on ichthyosis – only medical textbooks with people's faces blacked out.”

The book is expected to be a memoir of Findlay's life experience as a woman with ichthyosis as well as her journey to identifying as a disabled person and the struggles and confusion she experienced before reaching that point. Findlay hopes the book helps those who also have ichthyosis, their parents, young women and teachers.

“There was no one in media or books who looked like me, or to tell me it's ok to not want to change my appearance, and I didn't know whether I'd find love – love with another or love for myself. It's time to write that book. To be the person Little Carly needed.”

Growing Up Disabled in Australia

Findlay edited Growing Up Disabled in Australia - part of Black Inc Books' 'Growing Up...' anthology series. It was released on 2 February 2021. Growing Up Disabled in Australia is the fifth book in the highly acclaimed, bestselling Growing Up series. It includes interviews with prominent Australians such as Senator Jordon Steele-John and Paralympian Isis Holt, poetry and graphic art, as well as more than 40 original pieces by writers with a disability or chronic illness.

Awards

Findlay was awarded the Order of Australia Medal in the 2020 Australia Day Honours for "service to people with a disability".[41]

Other awards:

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Meet four dedicated Australian women changing the face of activism. Alexander. Lindy. 2 June 2017. The Sydney Morning Herald. en. 24 October 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181024112912/https://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/meet-four-dedicated-australian-women-changing-the-face-of-activism-20170531-gwh3gh.html. 24 October 2018. live.
  2. Web site: Alternative film festival finds a rare beauty in difference. Webb. Carolyn. 19 September 2012. The Sydney Morning Herald. en. 24 October 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180503035741/https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/movies/alternative-film-festival-finds-a-rare-beauty-in-difference-20120919-2672r.html. 3 May 2018. live.
  3. News: Are Australia's arts failing artists with disability?. 30 April 2018. ABC News. 24 October 2018. en-AU. https://web.archive.org/web/20181022091316/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-04-30/performers-with-disability-state-of-access-australia-arts/9710572. 22 October 2018. live.
  4. News: Disability blogger takes control of her story. 3 December 2013. ABC News. 24 October 2018. en-AU. https://web.archive.org/web/20180503035635/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-12-03/disability-blogger-takes-control-of-her-story/5126834. 3 May 2018. live.
  5. Web site: Carly Findlay. www.facebook.com. en. 24 October 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20170226002058/https://www.facebook.com/Tune.into.Radio.Carly. 26 February 2017. live.
  6. News: A difficult letter to my unborn daughter. Daily Life. 24 October 2018. en-au. https://web.archive.org/web/20180401102720/http://www.dailylife.com.au/life-and-love/real-life/a-difficult-letter-to-my-unborn-daughter-20150623-ghvr2h.html. 1 April 2018. live.
  7. News: How Can I Be Black If My Skin Is Red? Navigating Race With Ichthyosis. Ravishly Media Company. 24 October 2018. en. https://web.archive.org/web/20170731133307/http://www.ravishly.com/2017/03/20/how-can-i-be-black-if-my-skin-red-navigating-race-ichthyosis. 31 July 2017. live.
  8. News: Australians tell Mamamia what it is about this country they love.. Mamamia. 24 October 2018. en-US. https://web.archive.org/web/20171125235350/https://www.mamamia.com.au/australians-tell-mamamia-what-it-is-about-this-country-they-love/. 25 November 2017. live.
  9. News: Life with a chronic illness. Findlay. Carly. 6 June 2013. Essential Baby. 24 October 2018. en-US. https://web.archive.org/web/20180503035947/http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/just-for-you/mind-body-fitness/life-with-a-chronic-illness-20130606-2nruf. 3 May 2018. live.
  10. News: I'm not a doctor but I know how to live with my disability. 3 December 2016. ABC News. 24 October 2018. by Carly Findlay. en-AU. https://web.archive.org/web/20180512223922/http://www.abc.net.au/news/health/2016-12-03/lived-experience-disability-in-health-system/8089086. 12 May 2018. live.
  11. News: Carly Findlay weds: Meet my husband. New Idea Magazine. 24 October 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180423070747/https://www.newidea.com.au/carly-findlay-weds-meet-my-husband. 23 April 2018. live.
  12. News: Woman fights the internet, wins. NewsComAu. 24 October 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180320203006/http://www.news.com.au/technology/online/carly-findlay-suffers-skin-condition-wins-internet-after-copping-abuse-on-internet-site-reddit/news-story/062a7d78b197eacebfa2d38fef2bd041. 20 March 2018. live.
  13. News: I Never Want to Blend In By Carly Findlay - Don't Hide It, Flaunt It. 25 July 2015. Don't Hide It, Flaunt It. 24 October 2018. en-US. https://web.archive.org/web/20181024113227/http://www.donthideitflauntit.com/i-never-want-to-blend-in-by-carly-findlay/. 24 October 2018. live.
  14. Web site: Carly Findlay. Findlay. Carly. LinkedIn. 24 October 2018.
  15. Web site: 2018-08-10. Carly Findlay: How she teaches us respect & empathy. 2021-07-14. Capstone Editing. en.
  16. News: 'We're sorry': Apology for taxi abuse. NewsComAu. 24 October 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180503035852/http://www.news.com.au/national/activist-carly-findlay-receives-apology-for-abuse-from-taxi-driver/news-story/110a556d3d35d5830f3dfaade392b3f4. 3 May 2018. live.
  17. News: Refused a ride because of her disability. Daily Life. 24 October 2018. en-au. https://web.archive.org/web/20180328010000/http://www.dailylife.com.au/news-and-views/dl-opinion/refused-a-ride-because-of-her-disability-20130707-2pk1r.html. 28 March 2018. live.
  18. Web site: The best mistake I've made was no longer being 'nice' about my disability. Findlay. Carly. 5 July 2017. The Sydney Morning Herald. en. 24 October 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180408154057/https://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/the-best-mistake-ive-made-was-no-longer-being-nice-about-my-disability-20170703-gx3pg6.html. 8 April 2018. live.
  19. News: Say Hello Harper Collins Australia. HarperCollins Australia. 24 October 2018. en-GB. https://web.archive.org/web/20181024113040/https://www.harpercollins.com.au/9781460755037/. 24 October 2018. live.
  20. News: Say Hello! I have a book deal with Harper Collins!. 3 July 2017. Carly Findlay. 24 October 2018. en-AU. https://web.archive.org/web/20180105194247/http://carlyfindlay.com.au/2017/07/03/say-hello-i-have-a-book-deal-with-harper-collins/. 5 January 2018. live.
  21. Web site: Excitement, encouragement and expectations. Alex. 1 November 2017. writersvictoria.org.au. en. 24 October 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180403212953/https://writersvictoria.org.au/writing-life/on-writing/excitement-encouragement-and-expectations. 3 April 2018. live.
  22. News: The Project. 29 March 2018. 24 October 2018.
  23. Web site: I am tired of people being scared of my face, which is why I'm putting it on TV. Findlay. Carly. 2 May 2017. The Sydney Morning Herald. en. 24 October 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180408152325/https://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/i-am-tired-of-people-being-scared-of-my-face-which-is-why-im-putting-it-on-tv-20170501-gvwb31.html. 8 April 2018. live.
  24. News: Jon Faine slammed for 'inappropriate' talk with disabled guest. 29 March 2018. The New Daily. 24 October 2018. en-GB. https://web.archive.org/web/20181024192416/https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/people/2018/03/29/abc-radio-jon-faine-disability/. 24 October 2018. live.
  25. News: Most offensive interview ever. CQ News. 24 October 2018. en. https://web.archive.org/web/20180514120251/https://www.cqnews.com.au/news/abc-presenters-bizarre-interview-with-disabled-wo/3374021/. 14 May 2018. live.
  26. Web site: The horror point was when he said my face would be good at Halloween. Carmody. Larissa Ham, Broede. 29 March 2018. The Sydney Morning Herald. en. 24 October 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180717202856/https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/the-horror-point-was-when-he-said-my-face-would-be-good-at-halloween-20180330-p4z71g.html. 17 July 2018. live.
  27. Web site: 2018-11-29. Sacked ABC boss Michelle Guthrie was seen as arrogant by colleagues, inquiry told. 2021-07-14. the Guardian. en.
  28. News: Say Hello: Doing Disability Activism My Own Way. 24 April 2018. Feminist Writers Festival. 24 October 2018. en-US. https://web.archive.org/web/20181024192222/https://feministwritersfestival.com/carly-findlay-say-hello-disability-activism/. 24 October 2018. live.
  29. News: Vicarious trauma – I am you, and you will be me. My performance for the Melbourne Writers Festival. 25 August 2018. Carly Findlay. 24 October 2018. en-AU. https://web.archive.org/web/20180905043435/http://carlyfindlay.com.au/2018/08/25/vicarious-trauma-i-am-you-and-you-will-be-me-my-performance-for-the-melbourne-writers-festival/. 5 September 2018. live.
  30. News: Access and Inclusion Melbourne Fringe. Melbourne Fringe. 24 October 2018. en-US. https://web.archive.org/web/20181024192201/https://melbournefringe.com.au/about/access-and-inclusion/. 24 October 2018. live.
  31. Web site: Access to fashion - disability on the runway: Media release - 1 July 2018. Access to fashion - disability on the runway. 24 October 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181024231936/https://disabilityontherunway.blogspot.com/p/press-release-2-july-2018.html. 24 October 2018. live.
  32. Web site: How losing her sight spurred Nikki to chase her fashion design dream. Singer. Melissa. 1 September 2018. The Sydney Morning Herald. en. 24 October 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180904174633/https://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/fashion/how-losing-her-sight-spurred-nikki-to-chase-her-fashion-design-dream-20180901-p50165.html. 4 September 2018. live.
  33. News: The Aussies retailers pretend don't exist. NewsComAu. 24 October 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180729142031/https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/fashion/fashion-shows/the-group-of-australians-that-retailers-pretend-dont-exist/news-story/ed71382439bd70b0be4e7aa8a795b6d3. 29 July 2018. live.
  34. Web site: 'We're not treated the same when we go into stores'. Singer. Melissa. 7 July 2018. The Sydney Morning Herald. en. 24 October 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180707192219/https://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/fashion/fashion-disability-diversity-findlay-ball-hopkins-20180705-p4zpn4.html. 7 July 2018. live.
  35. News: Voices from the Disability Community: Carly Findlay. 11 January 2017. Meriah Nichols. 24 October 2018. en-US. https://web.archive.org/web/20170117071342/http://www.meriahnichols.com/voices-from-the-disability-community-carly-findlay/. 17 January 2017. live.
  36. Book: Hobday, Ruth. 200 women : who will change the way you see the world. Blackwell, Geoff. 9781760408183. Richmond, Vic. 990141752. October 2017.
  37. News: Positive body image is about ability, disability, scars and colour. Mamamia. 24 October 2018. en-US. https://web.archive.org/web/20180503035447/https://www.mamamia.com.au/positive-body-image/. 3 May 2018. live.
  38. News: The Greatest Showman – upliftspirational exploitation and the able gaze. 18 January 2018. Carly Findlay. 24 October 2018. en-AU. https://web.archive.org/web/20180419162102/http://carlyfindlay.com.au/2018/01/18/the-greatest-showman-upliftspirational-exploitation-and-the-able-gaze/. 19 April 2018. live.
  39. Web site: Having a disability is not a tragedy. Topics. en. 24 October 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180515212015/https://www.sbs.com.au/topics/life/culture/article/2016/06/17/having-disability-not-tragedy. 15 May 2018. live.
  40. Web site: When parents overshare their children's disability. Findlay. Carly. 24 July 2015. The Sydney Morning Herald. en. 24 October 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181024231911/https://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/when-parents-overshare-their-childrens-disability-20150724-gijtw6.html. 24 October 2018. live.
  41. News: Stehle . Mark . Australia Day Honours 2020: Full list of recipients . 25 January 2020 . . Nine Entertainment Co . 25 January 2020.
  42. Web site: And the winners are ... . 2022-03-12 . issuu . en.

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