About

Hi, I’m Kat Jolliffe the founder of Urban Life Warriors. I am a passionate advocate for human rights, social justice, and reducing the stigmatization of mental health and physical disabilities. I have a Bachelors degree in Psychology, Qualifications in Disability Work and Community Services.

I work as a Disability Support Worker and Community Services Worker. I work in a acquired brain injury facility, community respite, group homes and facilitate creative group programs for individuals experiencing a range of disabilities. Programs include: Visual Arts: painting, colouring & sculpture; Performing Arts: dance, Cooking & Lifeskill’s (e.g. Newspaper run, meals on wheels & independent living skills); Zumba & yoga; Sports: rock climbing, bowling, bike riding, fishing and trampolines; Social & Cultural Outings: Dinners & museum tours; Therapeutic: Hydrotherapy & swimming. I work with people who have a range of disabilities who come together in a supported and inclusive group environment.

I am currently undertaking a Social Work degree. I anticipate working in the disability sector while simultaneously pursuing my passion for social work.

I am a passionate mental health advocate. After my personal lifelong battle with mental illness and marginalisation I am driven to work with those most marginalised due to disability. Through my work I hope to shine a light on mental health and reach out to those most vulnerable in our society.

Who is an Urban Warrior? Urban Warriors are individuals who have experienced and overcome significant adversities in their lives. Specifically, people fighting to overcome or learning to cope with their experience of mental illness or disability. People struggling against the tsunami wave of systemic discrimination, prejudice, stigmatization, social marginalization and exclusion. We are all Urban Warriors! Fighting to survive in this system!

Urban Warriors is a blogspace dedicated to the experience of psychiatric and physical disabilities. I aim to highlight the inspirational stories and positive character attributes of individuals who have recovered from a mental illness. To illuminate the possible and compare individual narratives. Everyones experience of mental illness is unique and by sharing narratives we can discover alternative treatments and find solace in our shared experiences.

Stay tuned – this blog space will be up and running in late 2017. I endeavour to create a webspace that is open to everyone to share their experiences and engage with one another. I aim to interview locals who have experienced mental and physical disabilities and share their stories on this blog space. Hopefully ultimately creating a forum where people feel free to share their experiences with mental illness or physical disabilities. A place where people can communicate with each other how they overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles and fought until near breaking point invisible battles.

Urban Life Warriors has been significantly delayed over the past few years due to mental health issues and financial constraints. In 2017 I will get back on the horse and work diligently to re-brand, research and develop this idea into fruition.

How I have left this blog paused for so long, hanging openly unfinished in cyberspace encapsulates everything about my mental illness and how many lives are wasted or left hanging by the wayside of life due to relapse. I have lost so many opportunities and find so many of my inherent potentialities written off due to mental illness. It is heartbreaking to know yourself and your potential only to see it dissolve before your eyes as others judge you souly based on your outward performance whilst depressed or anxious – not as yourself. Disabled by depression you are NOT YOUR DISABILITY!

Please checkout my site later in 2017 when it’s finally up and running!! After being hijacked by depression, apathy and mood swings once again!

In the meantime please checkout my other blog: http://www.madeinsydney.net

Inspirational photos relating to the Urban Warriors theme at: http://www.weheartit.com/katjolliffe

Connect via Twitter: @UrbanLWarriors  https://www.twitter.com/UrbanLWarriors