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Blog by Jordan Kinniburgh
I have cerebral palsy. It’s part of my life, but it isn’t the whole story.
Growing up, I went to mainstream school. I wanted the same things as other kids: to make friends, join in, try new things and feel that I belonged. My friends made a huge difference. They were amazing at including me and making me feel part of the group. They saw me as their friend, not just as someone with a disability. That meant a lot.
Inclusion can sound like a big idea, but sometimes it starts with simple things: inviting someone along, making space for them and treating them like they belong. My friends showed me how powerful that can be. Their support helped me feel more confident and gave me the chance to be part of shared experiences.
Sport became another important place for connection. I play wheelchair Australian rules football, and being part of a team has given me a strong sense of belonging. I’m there because I love the game, want to compete and improve, and enjoy being a teammate. Disability sport isn’t just about having access to equipment or a place to play. It’s also about being welcomed, taken seriously and given the chance to contribute.
Those experiences helped shape my children’s book, Jordan’s Big Dream. The story draws on my life with cerebral palsy, mainstream schooling and wheelchair football. I hope young readers with disability can recognise parts of themselves in Jordan, and that other readers might better understand what inclusion can mean.
Representation matters. When children see people with disability taking part in everyday life, sport and their communities, it can help broaden what they imagine is possible. But representation needs to go alongside action: listening to people with disability, making spaces accessible and creating real opportunities to participate.
Writing the book has also been a way of sharing something personal. My dad, Robert, meant a lot to me, and I dedicate the story to him. As I prepare to share Jordan’s Big Dream with readers, I carry his memory with me and hope the book encourages children to believe in their goals.
Everyone’s experience of disability is different, and there’s no single story that speaks for us all. Mine includes the friends who made sure I felt included, the teammates who share my love of football, and the people who have encouraged me to keep pursuing my goals.
I hope readers take this with them: inclusion can start with how we treat one another. Invite someone in, listen, and give them the chance to take part. My friends did that for me, and it helped me feel that I belonged.
