I'm Bell (short for Isabella) and I'm a young adult who is on a journey of self understanding and discovery.

I proudly and comfortably identify as a neurodivergent (autistic & ADHD) Greek (CALD) queer/asexual empath with binge eating disorder (BED), learning and psychosocial (permanent & ongoing anxiety & depression) disabilities. I've lived in the Bayside (southeast) area of Melbourne all my life and have experience with the diverse local culture, schools (public & private), and communities. 

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My identity journey began I was diagnosed with autism in September 2020 (during the covid pandemic) and later with ADHD. By receiving a formal diagnosis, I was able to fully understand myself from a range of different perspectives and comprehend my past. I was also able to eventually gain access to Centrelink's Disability Support Pension and to the National Disability Insurance Scheme as a participant of the scheme.

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Reflecting on this, I remember in primary school that I always struggled with both learning and socialising which only got worse with age. At the age of 12 it became clear that I was struggling with my mental health because of several problems I was dealing with at school with learning, at home (family violence) and with friends (bullying). After repetitive loss of friendships/being kicked out of friend groups, unstable mental health, online learning and toxic family, I finally had enough. This made me feel absolutely confused, destroyed and lonely so after talking to my psychologist, they briefly mentioned the potential of autism. I decided to find out more which is where my journey began but for me it all truly changed after my formal diagnosis due to prior feeling of imposter syndrome.

 

Presently, I passionately work and volunteer in the intersectional community fields of the youth, disability and mental health sectors where I focus on all three levels of advocacy. I do this by sharing my own lived experiences and stories and listening to community and individuals. I aim to empower and bring confidence to others to share their own experiences because I believe in the power of authentic storytelling. I know there is strength in our voices working as one to create change in our world to address accessibility, inclusion, diversity, equity and education.

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My lived experiences include struggles with mental ill health, education/learning difficulties, bullying, family violence, period issues, ableism, exclusion, discrimination, self-love (fat phobia), misdiagnosis and more...