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Do you have memories of people in your life who have contributed to your lifelong learning?

This week I was strongly reminded of two people who had contributed significantly to my own learning . Albeit they have no idea!

Stella Young and Dr Charlie Teo are two people I had seen, heard, but not met. Yet they were two people who challenged and changed (and continue to challenge and change) my thinking.

I clearly remember my first introduction to both, and my most recent reminder.

It all happened on Monday.

Stella Young

I woke up Monday morning switched on my technology. I was shocked, speechlessly shocked, to discover Stella Young had died. It seemed impossible that a person with such a huge personality and so many talents, could no longer be around to hold a mirror (and often a very bitingly, funny mirror) up to our world.

What randomly sprang to my mind was the ‘A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius’ – to steal the title of a book by Dave Eggers – thinking about the impact Stella has had, and the gap that will be left.

If you don’t know of Stella’s work, or you want to relive the strength one power-packed woman can have, here are a few links from recent days to remind you – and me – of Stella’s legacy.

Stella Young – Political Asylum 14 March 2010 a standup comedy sketch by Stella in 2010. A comedian – just one of Stella’s many talents.

‘Dear Stella Young The World Has Lost its Fizz Without You Love Benjamin Law’  a letter from Benjamin Law, a fellow writer about his friendship with Stella

Stella Young’s Letter to Herself at 80 Years Old  excerpts from a letter Stella wrote for the book ‘Between Us: Words and wisdom from Women of Letters’

Stella was the main motivation for a recent article here, on the use of the word Inspirational and Disability – Cliche, Demeaning, or Fact?

17 Things Stella Young Wanted You to Know a series of quotes Stella has made. This also provides links to other articles if you would like to read more.

The TED talk Stella Young made about “Inspiration Porn”

My own introduction was in 2002 when Stella spoke at the launch of the Victorian State Disability Plan (Australia) launch. Not the “we are grateful”, “this is wonderful”, speech that was usually given. This young woman got up and laid out quite clearly the accountability and measures she would be using to ensure this plan was made real. I no longer remember the words but I long remember the wake-up I got about what accessibility REALLY meant. Not the token kind. Accessibility and support that enables everyone to really live in the world.

Dr Charlie Teo

Later on that Monday I was listening to ‘Midday’  a new favourite radio show of mine on ABC Classic FM. ‘Midday’ is a program where interviewer Margaret Throsby brings you “an interview with a guest who shares their life stories and a selection of music that means the most to them. “

Back to Monday. This was a replay of an interview with Dr Charlie Teo Director of The Centre for Minimally Invasive Neurosurgery and renowned Neurosurgeon. He has also established an organisation Cure Brain Cancer, raising funds for research into brain cancer.

He has been responsible for increasing my own understanding of the brain, brain function, and the importance of living life and following your passions.

My introduction to Charlie Teo was the book “Life in His Hands” by Susan Wyndham. This is the story of Aaron McMillan; “In 2001, at the age of 24, McMillan was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive brain tumour. He underwent 12 hours of surgery. Two days later he was back playing the piano, preparing to record and perform.”

Years later I heard Charlie Teo speak at the Mind and Its Potential conference in Sydney Australia where he presented ‘A Users Guide to the Brain’

Back to the ‘Midday’ interview on Monday.

I am hoping you are able to listen to this interview through one of the links below as it covers topics such as the complexity of the brain, the intricacies of brain surgery, and the drive of following a life passion. It also touches on the tricky subject of the boundaries, and the role of Doctor or paid supporter – friend or not.

[ilink url=”http://mpegmedia.abc.net.au/classic/midday/201412/miv-2014-12-08.mp3″]Midday interview with Margaret Throsby and Dr Charlie Teo[/ilink]

[ilink url=”http://www.abc.net.au/classic/content/2014/12/08/4144281.htm”]Midday Interview with Margaret Throsby and Dr Charlie Teo Version 2[/ilink]

Life Long Learning from Stella Young and Charlie Teo

It seems Stella was a strong woman. She was no saint, no angel and did not want to be. She was a strong woman whose critical thinking skills could turn our thinking on its ear. Jolting us at times to ensure we thought carefully about our views and actions.

When talking with my daughter about Stella’s contribution we were discussing how “disability advocate” didn’t cut it. My daughter said “Mum she was really a true humanitarian, looking at all people”. Stella did not always take the popular or easy route but I reckon she really was a “true humanitarian” among many other talents.

Dr Charlie Teo is a person committed to pushing the boundaries of surgery on the brain, of eliminating brain cancer. His views and techniques have challenged others in this field. Charlie, like Stella does not always take the easy way.

Both Stella and Charlie have gone after what they believed in, despite opposition, despite people at times strongly disagreeing with them. I am not suggesting they have similar views – I don’t know.

Both have influenced me, more than that, they have made me think deeply and consider perspectives different to my own. Both in different spheres have changed my thinking for the better I believe.

Life Long Lessons To Be Learned –

Discrimination because of difference comes in many forms, which both Stella and Charlie described in their lives. Examining our own responses, fears, and prejudices, can be a first step to understanding and accepting our similarities and differences.

Stella herself freely gave tips on being with a person who might be different to you. Here is an article The Wheel Perspective  from Ramp Up giving pointers on using a wheelchair for those of us who don’t.  Things such as  – “We don’t mind if you ask us to go for a walk. Seriously, there’s no need to avoid saying things like “I must be running along,” or “Let’s go for a walk.” Those kinds of phrases are a part of everyday language, and because we live in the real world too, we’re really not that sensitive. I have a blind friend who once told me that the most annoying thing that ever happens to her is people apologising for asking her if she sees their point. Touche.”

Imagine if we all dared to be:

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• real – Oh I know that sounds all hippie and fluffy, but I mean really REAL, to be ourselves with everybody.
• open and honest,
• not patronising,
• talk straight,
• unafraid to make mistakes,
• unafraid to try and understand people who seem different to us,
• fearless about questioning what is happening,
• and not afraid to follow the path you believe to be right even if it is unpopular.

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and maybe most of all to do it now.