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Cassie Gardner - Ability West

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Dubbo, NSW
Cassie Gardner - Ability West

Ability West is growing. We support all people to help them identify and fulfill their dreams.

My services now include:
*Life Coaching for women, people with disability and supporters
*Mentoring People with disability
*Micro business/enterprise

08/03/2026

In the upcoming episode of the Inclusion Project, Freya talks with Nick Gleeson, a Paralympian, author and adventurer.

Nick has such an inspiring story and has achieved so many amazing things despite the obstacles he has faced. Nick’s life changed forever at age seven when an electronic swinging supermarket door hit him on the side of his head, causing a retinal detachment and blindness.

Despite this adversity, Nick has gone onto achieve some incredible things👇

✨Nick has represented Australia at the Paralympic Games
✨Nick was also chosen to carry the Olympic Torch for the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.
✨Nick represented his state and country in blind cricket for almost 20 seasons, using an audible ball in the game.
✨Crossed the finish line in the New York City Marathon three times,
✨Completed the gruelling 90km from Durban to Pietermaritzburg in the Comrades Marathon.
✨Nick put together a group named Blind Ambition to climb Africa’s highest mountain; four members of the expedition reached the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. Nick and Blind Ambition then went on to conquer Everest Base Camp.

These incredible accomplishments highlight Nick’s determination, drive and how despite the adversities he has faced, he is still making the most out of life🙌

05/03/2026

Introducing Nick Gleeson, our guest for Episode 5 of The Inclusion Project 🎙

⛰️Nick has climbed mountains.
✨Competed at the Paralympics.
📚Written books.

But embodied dance?

That was something completely new.

In this months podcast episode, Nick steps into unfamiliar territory, sharing what it felt like to move without performance. Just presence, curiosity and experience.

It’s a powerful reminder that growth sometimes happens in the quiet courage of trying something different and stepping outside your comfort zone 🙌

Episode 5 drops on March 12th!

🎙 Access all podcast episodes here 👇
https://fitproject.learnworlds.com/podcasts

03/03/2026

Connection, inclusion, and purpose don’t happen by accident. They’re created when people come together with openness, respect, and genuine care 💚

At Ability West, community sits at the heart of everything we do. We believe meaningful connection is built intentionally, through supportive environments where people feel valued, heard, and empowered to be themselves.

Our values are simple, but powerful 👇
Connect. Grow. Achieve.

Every day, we see the positive impact of having the right support in place. When people are encouraged to try new things, build relationships, and work toward their goals, incredible things can happen.

If you’re looking to feel more connected, meet new people, or take the next step toward your goals, Ability West is here to walk alongside you.

✨ Find your community. Reach out today.

02/03/2026

Cassie will be joining Merryn Anderson & Carer Gateway in leading the Every Women Circle on Thursday 5th of March at 6pm ✨

✨Cassie Gardner is university qualified and has over 30 years’ experience working with Disability organizations. She was Regional Team Leader for the Orana Far West NSW Ability Links program, helping people prepare for the NDIS. Cassie is well known in her local community for her leadership, empathy, passion and drive. Cassie leads our life coaching and mentoring service. She works 1 on 1 with NDIS participants to build capacity, grow new skills and achieve meaningful goals and women going through transitions and life’s hurdles.

✨ Merryn Anderson is an experienced Speech Pathologist with over 28 years of working alongside children and families across NSW, the ACT, Queensland, and overseas. She joined Orana Early Childhood Intervention in 2007 and in 2021 became Service Manager. She is a champion of family centred services and families as they navigate the challenges and celebrate achievements, both big and small.

✨ Carer Gateway is an Australian Government program providing free services and support for carers.

Join us for an evening of connection, shared stories, community and meaningful conversations that celebrate and support women who have children with additional needs.

Register here 👉 https://events.humanitix.com/every-woman-circle-my-child-has-extra-needs

01/03/2026

What is embodied movement? 👇

Embodied practices create space for people to connect with their bodies, emotions, and experiences without pressure or judgement.

For many people with disability, spaces like this can offer:
✨ Confidence
✨ Self-expression
✨ Community connection
✨ A sense of belonging

At Ability West, we believe inclusive spaces should allow people to show up exactly as they are, no masking, no pretending.

That’s where real growth happens 🙌

27/02/2026

Caring for a child with additional needs can be deeply meaningful, and quietly exhausting.

On Thursday the 5th of March, there will be a free, catered evening circle, led by Cassie Gardner (Ability West) and Merryn Anderson (Orana Early Childhood Intervention), with support from LiveBetter Carer Gateway. This Evening Circle offers mums of children with additional needs a genuine night off, creating space for connection, practical support, and quiet restoration as part of the Every Woman Circles at the Greens.

This circle has a simple but powerful intention: to give women permission to pause, feel supported, and connect not only with community but with themselves.

Date: Thu, 5 Mar
Time: 6pm - 8pm AEDT
Where: The Greens - Festival Venue of Orana Every Woman Festival, Dubbo.

Register here 👉 https://events.humanitix.com/every-woman-circle-my-child-has-extra-needs

26/02/2026

Are you new to The Inclusion Project podcast?

Or are you an individual or organisation looking for practical, disability-inclusive resources?

You can access both Series 1 and Series 2 of the podcast directly through our website. Simply create a free login to unlock all podcast recordings and start listening at your own pace 🙌

Whether you’re a person with disability, a family member, a support professional, or part of an organisation wanting to strengthen inclusive practice, there’s something valuable waiting for you.

Alongside the podcast, you’ll also find a range of inclusion resources designed to support individuals and organisations to build more accessible, respectful, and welcoming communities.

🎙 Access the podcasts and resources here👇
https://fitproject.learnworlds.com/podcasts

26/02/2026

✨Exciting News✨

In celebration of International Women's Day, Cassie will be leading the women's circle for the Orana Every Women Festival on Thursday the 5th of March at 6pm.

This Women's circle is a space for mums with children that have additional needs, to connect, gain practical support and restore.

Date: Thursday 5th of March
Time: 6pm - 8pm AEDT
Where: The Greens - Festival Venue of Orana Every Woman Festival, Dubbo

Register here for the free event: https://events.humanitix.com/every-woman-circle-my-child-has-extra-needs

24/02/2026

Let’s talk about connection 💬

Feeling connected can look different for everyone. For some, it’s deep friendships. For others, it’s shared activities, routine, or simply feeling comfortable being yourself.

We’d love to know...

Share in the comments, what helps you feel most connected to others? 👇

22/02/2026

Stories like Ronan’s remind us why inclusion matters.

When people are given space to share their experiences, it builds understanding, empathy, and stronger communities.

At Ability West, we’re committed to amplifying voices that inspire change and encourage meaningful connection, both online and in our local community.

💛 Thank you to Ronan for sharing his story and wisdom so generously, on the Inclusion Project.

19/02/2026

Ronan’s dating advice 💌

In the Inclusion Project, Episode 4, Ronan shared with us:
“You never know what is just around the corner.”
“Be yourself and have lots of fun with that person.”

Ronan reminds us that dating doesn’t have to be perfect or pressured. Showing up as yourself, enjoying the moment, and staying open to new experiences can lead to meaningful connections, sometimes when you least expect it.

Whether you’re meeting someone new, building a relationship, or just starting to put yourself out there, Ronan’s advice is a gentle reminder to stay curious, be authentic, and enjoy the journey. Because being yourself is always enough.

17/02/2026

Freya is the owner of and is currently interviewing guests for The Inclusion Project podcast.

Freya has previously shared how embodiment supported her through a deeply challenging period in her life, navigating vision loss, burnout at work, and adjusting to life as a blind person. Through this experience, embodiment became more than movement; it became a place of safety and connection.

“Embodiment is my safe space,” Freya shares.

“Even when it’s not always easy to dance in a sea of people I can’t see, only moving shapes and energies.”

Freya also speaks to the power of embodiment practice as a space where nothing needs to be hidden. In these moments, there is no pressure to mask any part of your experience or identity, especially when embodiment is practiced within a disability community.

Her story is a beautiful reminder of the importance of creating inclusive spaces where people are free to move, express, and show up exactly as they are.

Address

Dubbo, NSW
2830

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 4pm
Tuesday	9am - 4pm
Wednesday	9am - 4pm
Thursday	9am - 4pm
Friday	9am - 4pm

Telephone

+61419091939

Website

http://www.abilitywest.org.au/, https://events.humanitix.com/strength-in-self-and-community-a-free-3-part-online-embodie

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