The Independent is looking back at our best feature stories of last year, and this is one of them.
A new YouTube show is looking to inspire inclusion and remove negativity surrounding people living with autism.
Darcy Gaynor created the YouTube talk show series Unique Equality for people on the Autism Spectrum and the neurodiverse community to have a platform to share their stories.
“I did a pilot with myself, just to introduce the show and what it was going to be about and examine up my life and I want others to express theirs as well,” he said.
“It took me time to embrace the individuality, and that’s why I do this stuff because there are people out there that might grow up with this.
“I want neurotypical people to treat us like equals, get respect and just look at us like we matter and stop looking at us like we don’t matter.”
Darcy said he has battled with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), neurodiversity (a difference in the human brain and cognition) and cystic fibrosis from a young age.
“Cystic fibrosis impacts on the lungs and digestion system,” he said.
“I was born with it, so I’ve got to take enzymes before I eat anything except for fruits, and I do a lot of exercises to get me going.
“I used to have masks growing up because I coughed a lot when I was younger, and growing up at school, I struggled to fit in a bit.
“I had seven operations and had to take tablets. I also had constant pain in the back and kept coughing out.
“I used to have speech and language problems, so I said the wrong things or lost track of listening.
“It took me time to find the right people, and sometimes I have trouble reading people’s emotions, whether they’re being sincere or if they’re mocking.
“I started to get more intelligent, focused, confident, improve my social life and my learning.”
Darcy said he took regular acting classes at Screenactors Geelong and helped out as a teacher’s assistant during the studio’s adult classes.
“With my students and me, we’ve been through a lot in our lives,” he said.
“We thought we might express it with everyone else and try to help people get back on track, get equality out of it, and find what makes us unique in our own way, which we’re all different.
“I thought it would be a good idea for a talk show, trying to change people’s lives and help those struggling to get back on track.”
Darcy said he was initially nervous about being the show’s presenter but eventually got used to being in the role.
“I felt nervous at the start, it took me a few takes to do the pilot and it took me two days to find the right one to do,” he said.
“It’s a really good experience. I get to direct and everything.
“I just hope people watch the show and get inspired.”
Darcy said he hoped the show would remove some harsh stereotypes associated with the autism and disabled community.
“It’s been a positive experience for myself and hopefully my wonderful guests and those who have viewed the videos,” he said.
“It’s about inspiring neurotypical people to treat the neurodiverse people like equals and encourage them to embrace their capabilities.
“We should be out there and treated as normal, have good access to opportunities, and break down the physical and stereotypical barriers.
“I think people should be treated like equals and not be excluded.”
Darcy said he was still deciding whether he would do a season two of the show but had some guest ideas in mind encase the show continued.
“I just want to see you know how it goes. I had a few people in mind I might ask,” he said.
“I got some people I know who are on the spectrum, a councillor who is, and a friend who is.
“I did also join a community group called the My Story project (a group that allows people with lived disability experience to share their stories) which is full of people that are on the spectrum, and I think I have them in mind if they’re interested.”
Darcy said he was also an aspiring actor and has had roles as an extra in television shows and movies Nitram, Wentworth, Liars and a Sports Bet advertisement that he sourced through his talent agency Real People.
“I’m trying to make a career through my acting because I’ve been here (Screenactors) for eight years learning,” he said.
“I’m an artist as well, I get my artwork out there, and I’m a writer.
“I draw every night at home. I like to draw illustrations for my books, and sometimes I draw cartoons that I make up.”
Darcy said he wanted to thank guests Kara Stephenson, Nicholas Walsh, Maree McGlynn, Luke Ryan, Kate Law, and Lochie Campbell, who agreed to appear in his weekly videos.
He said his main goal behind the show was to help channel inner peace within others.
“We’re all human,” he said.
“I want to remind people to stay strong and to keep putting themselves out there.
“Do some meditation or find something to take your mind off what is affecting you.
“It teaches us that we’re all different and it depends on our personalities, not our appearance.
“I’ve learned that we’re all unique in our own ways.”
People can watch Unique Equality free on YouTube or check out Darcy’s artwork on Instagram at darcygaynor18 or Facebook at FineLinesD.G.
