Zoe Simmons

Medical gaslighting and medical misogyny has NO place in our healthcare system–and yet, people experience it every single day, particularly to those of us with a uterus, and indivisible disabilities and chronic illnesses. prevalence This is despite the fact that of the 4.4 million Australians who are disabled, 90% have an invisible disability. Despite its prevalence, TWO IN THREE women have experienced gender bias or discrimination. And that’s not even getting into the experiences of gender-diverse and transgender people who might also happen to have a uterus. It’s so common for us to be told our symptoms are in our head. Or to have them dismissed, or not investigated. We often have to beg for tests, and beg to be heard: and this delay or lack of healthcare has HUGE impacts on our health. A few months ago, I asked people to share their experiences with medical gaslighting and medical misogyny. I had HUNDREDS of people respond with their stories. It was honestly devastating to see how widespread this issue is, particularly for conditions like endometriosis, adenomyosis, fibromyalgia, myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), POTS and EDS. Conditions that either largely or exclusively impact those with a uterus–conditions that are (surprise surprise) underresearched, underfunded, underrecognised, and chock-full of ableism. It’s 2025, and it’s not fucking good enough for our healthcare system to cause SO much harm–which is ironic, given the oath of “do no harm”. Healthcare services can’t just stick their heads in the sand. We need recognition. We need action. And we need proper healthcare. We deserve BETTER. PS thank you to everyone who shared their story with me! Even if I wasn't able to include your story, I appreciate your time so much. Our voices MATTER. And hopefully together, we can create change! Special thanks to @amelia.viviennesuying , @elizacharley , @emergeaustraliainc and @newscomauhq <3 #ChronicIllness #ChronicIllenssAwareness #InvisibleDisability #MedicalGaslighting #medicalmysogyny #GenderBias #DisabilityAdvocate #Fibromyalgia #Endometriosis #Adenomyosis #EDS #POTS #MECFS #ME #MyalgicEncephalomyelitis #MillionsMissing #spoonie #SpoonieCommunity

My latest @bodyandsoul_au article is out! This was a really difficult one to write—because it’s taken me a long time to accept mobility aids into my life. I felt like I wasn’t disabled enough to use them. I felt like others had it worse. I felt like I didn’t deserve them, and like I should push through my pain—despite the fact that pushing through has only ever led me to intense pain. It really is a challenging, complicated thing to become a mobility aid user, especially when your disability is dynamic or invisible. But mobility aids have had such a wonderful impact on my life. From my walking stick, to my shower chair, to my wheelchair. It allows me to exist in the world with a little more freedom, and a little less pain. So I really hope these words help anyone else going through these mental gymnastics. Use the mobility aid if you need it ♥️ you are valid. I wrote these words because they’re the words I needed when I started this journey… so I hope they help you too. Thanks to the lovely @ali__izzo for letting me write this ♥️ I needed to get these words out. Link: .au/health/its-complicated-a-love-letter-to-my-mobility-aids/news-story/d63f1072e759a3db57e1092aaadef289?fbclid=IwAR3vfDJPVq7oRPvWRh1a4kCUqmwBXoOw9_ibhl9MXvrn4Rj5jZlxtU16wqA&nk=fac313e869e904e6fbd746fa98247a2e-1645589264 (Or google “Zoe Simmons, a love letter to my mobility aids”.) Image: a yellow background with black text that says “‘It’s complicated.’ A love letter to my mobility aids”, which is the article title. Above is an image of me in a lavender field. I have pale skin, red lips, and long pink and blue hair. I’m wearing a knee-length red floral dress with a black cardigan, and I’m holding a pretty dark floral walking stick with pink and red roses. #Disability #DisabilityAwareness #DisabilityAdvocate #Disabled #DisabledBlogger #MobilityAids #Wheelchair #WalkingStick #BabeWithAMobilityAid #ChronicPain #ChronicPainAwareness #ChronicPainAdvocate #ChronicPainWarrior #ChronicIllness #ChronicIllnessAwareness #ChronicIllnessWarrior #Spoonie #Writer #WritingCommunity #WritersOfInstagram

So, surprise surprise. Now my story has made multiple news outlets and been shared by thousands of people, Qantas are singing a very different tune. I got a call last night, with them offering to pay for repairs or reimburse me. They claim it was an internal error, and that my case should always have been escalated to their advocacy team (who were lovely, by the way). But seeing as I’d been dealing with the customer care team and got the same answer “no we won’t help” TWICE, I am dubious. Would this outcome have been achieved, had I not made a fuss? Would it have been achieved if thousands of people hadn’t of supported me? What about everyone who doesn’t have that capacity? It makes me sad. Almost don’t want to accept their offer, but I’m not really in a position to turn it down. I want to thank EVERYONE who has supported me. I appreciate it so much. This situation has been very stressful and exhausting, and I feel relief that it’s over. By the way: Qantas told me that they allegedly always repair or reimburse for broken mobility aids. So if you’re battling Qantas, feel free to DM me and I will pass you onto the advocacy team. Hell, if your mobility aids were damaged by ANY airline, let me know. Maybe I can cause a fuss about that for you, too. Thanks to the wonderful @newscomauhq team for letting me share my own story. You can read it by googling “Zoe Simmons news wheelchair”, or this link: .au/travel/travel-advice/flights/disability-advocate-lashes-qantas-over-broken-wheelchair/news-story/72ae759ca7960ab607610c5ebd6c8bca?amp Also shout out to @emmaveness.photography for the gorgeous pic of my chair before it was broken, @jamila_main for letting me share their airline wheelchair horror story, and @akii_ngo , who I also mention. I shouldn’t have to hope to be the exception to the norm. The norm should be that disabled people are treated well, and able to get the same resolution I have. Image: Zoe is wearing a pink dress. She has long pink hair, red lipstick, and dramatic, bright pink makeup. She’s sitting in a wheelchair adorned with flowers, with words “disability advocate Zoe Simmons lashes Qantas over broken wheelchair”.

The blatant violence and abuse disabled people experience just for advocating for our rights and lives is HORRENDOUS. I'm not new to experiencing awful people on the internet. But in the past few months, there has definitely been a huge shift. It's become almost the norm to have hatred towards us; towards our supports. And it was DONE ON PURPOSE. The government says the NDIS has "lost its social license ", which was literally their plan. The Redbridge Report back in 2023. It's the reason they're using terminology like "rort" and "fraud". All these people have so much hatred because it was CREATED. ON PURPOSE. So that people would want these cuts, even though they will cause harm and death. Genuinely evil. It's not okay. Disabled people deserve better. ID: picture of Zoe with long pink hair, wearing a black gown, using her walker, in front of a garden with flowers. On top are the words: It genuinely makes me feel sick to my stomach that there is so much hatred towards NDIS participants, and disabled people in general. I've been copping so much abuse, including having people literally yelling in the streets. It’s not okay. It shouldn’t be controversial to say disabled people deserve good, safe lives. But it is. We deserve better. #NDIS #ProtectOurNDIS #KeepThePromise #DefendOurNDIS #NDISCuts #DisabiltyRights #Budget

Thousands of people gathered across the weekend to protest the cruel proposed NDIS cuts that will cause mass suffering, harm and even death to the disabled community. Most plans will be cut, and 160,000 people will be cut entirely, while anyone else who becomes disabled also won’t be able to access support, due to limiting who is acceped. People already lose their lives from previous cuts; this will only cause more suffering. But the disabled community an our allies are fighting fiercely. With protests. With calls and emails to MPs. With petitions. With everyday action. Because the NDIS is not a luxury: it funds people to live ordinary, safe lives. And we all deserve that. Thank you C31 and @LanewayCTVNews for supporting me and covering this. When legacy media fails, independent and community media is there to share the voices we won’t otherwise hear. Thank you to the Protect Our NDIS organisers, speakers, and those who do an interview with me! (So sorry to all the great things people said that we couldn’t fit in!). @c31melbourne @lanewayctvnews @neurosparklysaffy @willowcwb_insta @andrewbretherton @protectourndis.naarm @protectourndis Let’s defend our NDIS and defend disability rights Video description: Zoe Simmons has pale skin, purple hair, a black jumpsuit and fluffy hot pink jacket, sitting in a bedazzled wheelchair. She’s holding a mic and talking about the protests. You can then see shots of protests, snippets of speakers and interviewees. #ProtectOurNDIS #NDIS #DisabilityRights #NDISAustralia #KeepThePromise

I got to see @antoinette_lattouf again! I went to @melbwritersfest to see Breaking News: The Rise of Independent Media, and it was fantastic. It was affirming, especially as a freelance journalist and someone looking to work more in media. The panel included Antionette, as well as @antoun.issa from @deepcutnews , @pyjamapolitics from the Australia Institute and @oz_faruqi from @lamestreampod It honestly brought me hope. Media is SUCH a hard industry to crack into, especially for someone with multiple disabilities and chronic illnesses. Because of the many barriers and the competitive nature of the industry, I couldn't work in legacy media, other than freelancing. It often made me feel like I wasn't enough, or was missing something. Hearing these icons talk about their experiences was really empowering. It gives me courage to speak louder! To keep creating. That our work matters--and that our words are powerful. Hearing how they deal with trolls, hatred and abuse was also really helpful, because I'm experiencing a ridiculous amount of that right now! Also, I think Antionette's new book is exactly the kind of content I need right now. That we all need, really! Super excited to read Women Who Win! @ette.media Image description: Zoe and Antionette are both smiling at the camera. Zoe is pale with long purple hair, and is sitting in an electric wheelchair, wearing black boots, a black and white dress, and a bright pink fluffy jacket. Antionette is standing next to the wheelchair, crouched down slightly. She has long dark hair and brown skin, and is wearing a white skirt, white heels, and a black and white Press, commemorating the lives of journalists who've been killed in Israel's war. #MWF #WomenWhoWin #WomenWhoWin

If you are angry at the NDIS, you have been MANIPULATED by the government and the media. They have been PLANNING THIS since 2023. They consulted with a political consultancy firm Redbridge, to see how they could sell these cuts to everyday people. Taxpayer money was spent on testing what narratives would manage people's perceptions of the cuts. That's why we're seeing words like "budget blowout", why we're seeing a focus on "fraud and rorts", which makes people think it's absolutely rampant in the NDIS. Because it is purposeful and strategic to make people angry at the NDIS. To blame participants for the economy, as if Australia can't afford it. But that isn't remotely true. The NDIS, even with its problems, brings a net economic gain of 2.5 times for every dollar spent. It creates jobs. It allows parents to be able to work. It allows disabled people to work, to live. And yes, there are problems. Some people and businesses are doing the wrong thing. There's a huge problem with price-gouging. But it's an EXTREMELY small per cent. The vast majority are NOT doing the wrong thing. The vast majority have had their lives changed and saved by the NDIS. The vast majority actually probably need more support: not to mention the MANY disabled people who simply can't get any support, despite having significant need. It's a broken system. But it is one we can fix. Please recognise the government is manipulating you! And so are the handful of rich people who own the bulk of Australia's media. If you're angry at the #NDIS, you're playing right into their hands. Look at the facts. Look at the debunkings of the ridiculous myths. (No, the NDIS is not paying for any holidays!!!!!!). Follow disabled people. Listen to us. Contact your MPs. Sign the petitions. Because disability can impact anyone at any time. You don't get to choose. We're fighting for your future, too. ID: A pic of Zoe with the words: “I want people to know that they're being manipulated by the government, to think these cuts are inevitable and need to happen when they don't. Disabled lives should never be on the chopping block, and we can save money in other places

Thank you @joe_attanasio @yahoonewsau . When so much of the media is fueling this hate, it's so good to have allies who are helping to dispel the hatred and misinformation. It should NOT be controversial to say disabled people deserve to live safe, good lives, especially those who require support. Some people say things like: "they're only going to kick the scammers out" or "if you really need it, they won't take it away", but that's unfortunately not true. People with high support needs are often the ones who get cut: and they are the ones whose lives are at risk most. We've seen it happen. We've seen KIDS lose their lives to this on the NDIS. Like 4-year-old Koa Gibson and 22-year-old Noah Johnston, who both required 24/7 care, but had it cut. Their parents fought like hell. But it wasn't enough. And they had to experience THE MOST HEARTBREAKING THING a parent can experience. These cuts will cause mass suffering, to so many more people and families. Hundreds and thousands will also lose their jobs. And it's not like our country doesn't have the money. We do. It's just being used instead to give big businesses and industries and billionaires tax cuts. Looking after the 1%, while the rest of us suffer: and worse--you make disabled people the target, so they're angry at us, not you. Anyone can become disabled at any time and suddenly need support. #NDIS growth is not unreasonable. It's doing what it was built for. And it's changing and saving lives, while delivering 2.5 times the economic benefits for every dollar spent, EVEN with the flaws in the system. 160,000 people. And hundreds and thousands of others who desperately need support but won't get it. When did people become so cruel? Disabled lives matter. ID: An article from Yahoo News: disability advocate criticises revolting changes to the NDIS. There is a picture of Zoe at Parliament holding a sign that says NDIS cuts kill us, next to a pic of Mark Buttler. Below are the words:A leading Australian disability advocate has branded the government's proposed cuts to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) “revolting” and “beyond cruel”, warning “lives will be lost” #DisabilityAdvocate

The NDIS saves lives. And these cuts will cause harm, suffering and even death. People have already died from these cuts. Including kids. We need everyday people to recognise the media and those in charge are purposefully manipulating them, so these cuts are more palatable. They’ve spewed so much misinformation and hatred, that people can’t tell fact from fiction. And as a result, they hate us even more. I’m literally getting people yelling at me in the streets. This is not okay. Disabled lives and rights matter. #DisabilityAdvocate #DisabilityRights #NDIS #NDISCuts #ProtectOurNDIS

Zoe Simmons writes about untangling compulsory heterosexuality, and realising one’s queerness later than others. @somethingbeginningwithz

So I was on my way to the NDIS rally on the weekend, and this happened Can people not? Gah! #NDIS Video description: Zoe has pale skin, and long purple hair, with dramatic purple eye makeup and red lipstick. She talks about the NDIS cuts rally, and how on the way, some guy kept yelling at her about it being a scam. #NDISAustralia #DisabilityAdvocate #ProtectOurNDIS #DefendTheNDIS

I went to the NDIS rally in Naarm on Saturday. On one hand, it was amazing to be around community: all of us fighting for better, fighting for our rights. It's not often you get to be surrounded by community. That itself was so beautiful, and powerful. But it was also devastating. Looking around at the crowd. Seeing the fear. The worry. It's not an exaggeration to say NDIS cuts kill us, because they do. We've seen it already. Koa. Noah. Countless others, and names we'll never know. So many of us are afraid. We spoke about this. One little boy next to me asked his mum: "Am I going to die?" THAT destroyed me. She had to assure him no, he wasn't going to die. And if that's not a reason for us to fight, I don't know what is. Thank you to all the speakers, all the organisers, all those who came, and all those who couldn't, but wanted to. Together, we are so strong. We WILL fight this. They WILL listen to us, and #KeepThePromise @protectourndis.naarm @protectourndis Image description: Zoe is sitting in an electric wheelchair covered in sparkles. She is wearing a black jumpsuit and a fluffy pink jacket, holding a sign that says "NDIS CUTS KILL US". #NDIS #NDISProtest #DefendOurNDIS #StopTheCuts #DisabilityRights #Budget