2025 Brenda Gabe Leadership Award

By Liel Bridgford [2 minutes read]

“When I was a kid, my time in the health system was filled with trauma. 

My mission is to change the way we do healthcare - so that disabled people have the power and access they deserve and need to have the best healthcare and life.”

This was the start of my acceptance speech of the Brenda Gabe Leadership Award on Tuesday 27 May 2025.

WDV said “Liel has been improving the lives of women and gender diverse people with disability as a proud disabled psychologist, and by establishing a disability-specific psychological practice. Liel continues to improve access and acceptance of disabled women in mental healthcare through advocacy, education, writing, podcasting, interviews and social media presence.”

I continued, speaking to the crowd of the Members event of Women with Disabilities Victoria (WDV):

“This award is a proof that we can do it.

There are still many barriers, violence and even abuse of disabled women and gender diverse people in our healthcare system and I aim to be a small part of the wave of change to make the healthcare system safe and accessible for all. 

Being here today reminds me of the power of our community to make sure disabled girls, women and gender diverse people are not left behind.  

Thank you to WDV and the disability community that I am so proud to be a part of. I feel so honoured and privileged to have this opportunity. 

I want to acknowledge my fellow nominees, all of whom do incredible work to make our lives better.”

My commitment to re-creating the healthcare system has started when I was a kid, and winning this award fills me with hopes, and fuels my dream of a safer, more accessible future for us all.

Liel Bridgford

Psychologist | Writer | Educator

Kultivate Founder & Director