I don't blog here anymore. I write at carlyfindlay.com.au. Yes, I've grown up and bought a dot com (dot au). I need to figure out how to redirect traffic from here to there - can anyone help? You can still catch me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter between blogs, and to find out where else I'm writing. Thanks! Pop over to carlyfindlay.com.au from now on ..read more

  (Photo of woman in wheelchair, playing sport. She is smiling.  Text reads: "Inspiration and objectification of people with disability -  a resource for teachers and parents.") A few weeks ago I received a message from a regular blog reader, Sue.  Sue asked me if I knew of any resources for parents and teachers that teaches young people about the impact of inspiration and objectification on people with disability. She and a friend wanted to see something written from the perspective of a disabled person, that was "informy, rather than blamey". She wanted it to be in pa ..read more

I haven't blogged for ages, I'm sorry. I've done a lot in the media, though - that's why it's been so busy. This weekend I'm working on a big blog, and another secret project, so keep an eye out for those.  Tonight I wrote this for Facebook and thought I'd publish it here.  This is what ichthyosis looks like.       It's not often I show off my body - in photos or in real life. It's not that I am embarrassed of my body - of  the redness or super dry skin. I'm not embarrassed or ashamed. I cover up because I am often sore, want to protect myself from ..read more

This post contains some ableist language that might be triggering  Yesterday I engaged with two people who excused their ableism by saying they work with children and adults with disability. No. That's like saying you know a black person so you can be racist. Knowing a disabled person, or working with them is not a free pass to be ableist or discriminatory.  One person admitted to not wanting disabled people represented in media and advertising, and the other admitted to using "fucktard" around friends with disability. Both said they work with disabled people. You are not a goo ..read more

  Because I'm about changing the narrative of disability and appearance diversity in mainstream media, and also a freelance writer and need to pay the bills, I wrote Adam and my wedding story for New Idea  I wrote it in third person, and now New Idea claims me as their "favourite appearance activist". (Who's their second favourite?) I'm two pages behind Osher Gunsberg's wedding spread, so I guess a spot on commercial radio is next for me.  The paper edition is out in Australia this week, or you can read a preview here. I chose New Idea because I already had a relat ..read more

    I have set up a private Facebook support group for Australian and New Zealamd women (and people who identify as women) who have Ichthyosis.  If you fall into this category, you are welcome to join. Women can discuss sensitive topics they might not feel comfortable discussing elsewhere.  Here is the link to join the group. I've limited the group to Australian and NZ women living with Ichthyosis for a number of reasons - treatments like creams and tablets that are often only available in Australia and NZ and suggestions of creams in USA/UK/EU/Asia might not be availab ..read more

  If we measure life's worth by social media reactions, which we shouldn't but we do, 10 year old me feels more loved, valued and visible in the last few days of 2016 than I did when that photo was taken in 1992. I snapped a photo of the 24 year old picture in a frame on my parents' very vintage hifi speaker yesterday. I cropped it and uploaded it to Instagram and Facebook, not foreseeing the impact the response would have on me. I didn't plan to think about it so deeply. As I write this, the picture has received more than 200 likes on each platform, and dozens of complim ..read more

    You know when you have a crush on someone and somehow you magic your life so your worlds collide and you do something together? Well that hadn't happened to me until I was asked to be on the Just a Spoonful podcast with Kaitlyn Plyley earlier in the year. I had SUCH a giddy crush on this podcast. I remember listening to all of the previous episodes the week I discovered the podcast. I loved the interviews with chronically ill and disabled guests. And I love the theme song, which is often stuck in my head for hours after listening. But my biggest crush was on Kaitlyn's ..read more

  A couple of weeks ago I was interviewed for the Neighbuzz podcast. It was a special bonus episode focused on disability.  Neighbuzz is hosted and produced by Vaya Pashos, who I've been chatting to on Twitter for years. It was so good to finally meet in real life! I love Neighbuzz because it's more than just recapping the show. It's bloody funny, and Vaya and her team often talk about serious current affairs such as consent, victim blaming and of course, diverse casting. It's also really well produced. I put Vaya and my friend Kate Hood in touch - Kate recently joined ..read more

This post mentions violence toward women with disability.    I went to see Silent Tears at MAMA - Murray Art Museum Albury in Albury on the weekend. It was moving and heartfelt and the stories of the women show bravery and endurance. Silent Tears is an exhibition showing photos of women with disability who have survived violence. The photos have been taken by Belinda Mason. I am featured in Silent Tears - Belinda asked me because I've been the subject of online abuse as well as regular micro-aggressions about my appearance. There is a transparent large photo which hangs ..read more