On this podcast that shares all things poetry, that delves deep into the minds of poets and allows their words to flow freely into each of your earphones or smart devices, wherever you may be...we are celebrating all things neurodiversity!
April is Autism Acceptance month, with today in particular being world Autism Awareness Day. I have been so lucky to meet so many amazing poets who are also on the spectrum and wanted to use this episode to celebrate and raise awareness for the Neurodiverse community as a whole. I wanted this episode to be about celebrating our differences and putting them out into the world for everyone to see how colourful we are. All of the poets that have submitted for this episode are, or have contact with those who are neurodiverse. So come and step into the minds of these incredible poets.
Brand new to the podcast, please welcome:
Alison Wilkinson
Alison is a 60 something Mum of a 38 year old son on the Autistic Spectrum. As well as dabbling with poetry, as she does beautifully, Alison also runs Jades Jars, a jam and chutney business, alongside her husband Dave, (a keen poet himself). The poem that Alison submitted is a brief insight into what life was like when her son was a child.
Lauren Ruddock
Lauren (they/them) is an agender, autistic, neurodivergent published poet born and
raised in York. They have been around the ‘poetry scene’ for what feels like a long time, (at least to them!) now, but only began writing poetry in mid-2020…which feels like an absolute lifetime ago. Often found appearing at York Spoken Word, Prickly Pear, and various online open mics, Lauren has additionally co-hosted open mic events for York Ending Stigma, and has been a supporting poet at Poetry for All in November 2023. They also had
their pamphlet, ‘Scenes of Silent Horror’, published in 2023 with prettytatteredsoul,
themed around their own experiences of emotional abuse and trauma.
Ashley Edge
Ashley is a non-binary, autistic poet from Staffordshire, with a Cheshire twang and Spanish heart. They take great pleasure in opening the rusty can full of phobic critters, shining a laser on them and beating them with a poetic hammer. Prone to tugging at your soul with their tales, Ashley is also able to produce the odd happy poem. Usually about cats or dragons and faeries!
They have been published in many anthologies over the years and won multiple slams. A fan of trying all poetic styles, on the stage and on the page. Ashley's debut collection, "Those Days, These Days", is out now, available on Amazon or direct from them. This is an exploration of their life as a loud and proud genderfluid queer, and the passions that keep them sane and fighting.
Courtney Ward
Courtney is a neurodivergent writer, artist, music and charmed fan and advocate for others. She speaks the truth loud and clear, turning the heartache into heart-make.
She’s a published poet featuring in many places including In anthologies: “our time and space” and “rhyme and reason” by writing East Midlands.
She’s performed at festivals such as Kettfest multiple times, and also at AGM’s for local charities in Northamptonshire supporting young people that are autistic and also with mental health.
Returning poets:
Charlotte Faulconbrige
Emily Hustwick
Robert Punton
Genevieve Ray
Feel free to check them out on their socials and support their work!
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