Growing up, Louise Weekley was told she might never have the same opportunities as her peers. Today, she is proving those expectations wrong.
Louise is a disability support worker, university student, mother of 2 and footballer selected to represent South Australia.
Louise was 7 years old when she first ran onto the football field. Living with cerebral palsy, she says the love and support she had at home gave her the confidence to pick up a football.
‘I was always supported by my family to do what I wanted. I’m very lucky in that sense.’
As a child, she was often the only girl and the only player with disability on her AFL team. While she loved the game, football wasn’t always easy.
‘I faced a lot of discrimination playing football with disability. I’ve had years where I didn’t really want to do it anymore,’ she says.
Louise came to realise football wasn’t about proving herself to other people.
‘As I got older, I realised I was never going to be as good as I might have hoped. If I kept trying to meet that high expectation, I was going to lose the love of footy.’
‘At the end of the day, I’m not there to be the best player. I’m there because I want to have fun and I love football.’
Louise now plays disability football. ‘It has given me a dream I never thought possible,’ she says.
‘I remember when I was playing at 15 and saw so many teammates represent their state. I always had this desire to do the same, but never thought I’d have the opportunity.’
‘This year, I’ve been selected to represent South Australia in the first women’s inclusive team going to the AFL Open in October.’
Football is just one part of Louise’s full life. She also works as a disability support worker and is studying a Bachelor of Disability and Developmental Education.
Louise originally studied social work but decided to focus on disability. She draws on her experience and studies to support other people with disability.
‘I think I understand a lot more as a support worker who lives with disability.’
‘I also think the trust people give me is because of my lived experience. I make sure I take my time to listen and that goes a long way in building trust.’
Louise’s lived experience also shapes the conversations she has at home. As a mother of 2, she wants her children to understand that disability is not something to be afraid of or avoid.
‘Kids are always learning. They’re always wanting to know more and it’s up to us to be honest with them. It’s up to us to teach them disability is not a scary word.’
Louise wants her kids and others to understand the importance of giving people with disability the right support.
‘When I was younger, I was told that I probably wouldn’t amount to much and I’d probably never have the same life as my peers. I’m now 26 years old, at university, married, have 2 children and play football.’
‘Cerebral palsy is still part of who I am, but it hasn’t stopped me.’