Interview with Sunyal Maroo: World Cerebral Palsy Day
Hi Sunyal, can you tell us a bit about yourself?
I am 31 years old. I am an IT Risk and Assurance Analyst in the Digital Technology & Solutions (DTS) team. I am proud to be a Curtin alumni member; I graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce degree, majoring in Business Information Systems and Business Information.
I love electronic music, especially progressive house and trance. I DJ and produce in my spare time. I also enjoy catching up with friends and sharing my love of music, movies, and documentaries. Keeping up with news and current affairs is important to me, especially technology news.
I always use person-first language: I am a person living with ataxic cerebral palsy and chronic pain in one knee.
What led you to study at Curtin?
My parents are both qualified accountants, so I was interested in Commerce and Business courses. In Year 12, I was offered a place in a program where I did my first Commerce unit. Upon graduation, I decided to come to Curtin as it was the only WA university that offered the majors that I wanted to take.
How was your experience as a university student living with cerebral palsy?
Overall, I felt very supported. The first year was a bit daunting because of the large numbers of enrolled students in the core units. Curtin helped out by providing me with a scribe for my classes as well as extra time for assessments.
Things got better once I started the units for my majors. Business Information Systems comprised of a smaller cohort of students, so it was easier to reach out to teaching staff if I had any issues. Health reasons led to a 5-year absence in my degree, though I did not feel pressured to come back until I was ready. I finished my degree with a professional placement in DTS which paved the way for employment at Curtin.
Speaking of employment, what drew you to the field of IT Risk and Assurance Analysis?
I’ve always wanted to work in IT. Risk management is something that comes naturally to me; I’ve had to apply it throughout my life to manage medical symptoms and accessibility challenges. I often look at the big picture and analyse situations in my personal life. I am grateful that these skillsets and approaches have come to serve me well professionally!
It’s rewarding to see how this line of work is important; I enjoy working with a great team, investigating and learning about new discoveries and helping stakeholders to identify any issues and risks. Leveraging on my lived experience, I can move fluidly between being risk adverse and aware as well as thinking out-of-the-box to find solutions.
How many years have you worked at Curtin? What were some of the challenges you faced as a person living with cerebral palsy in the Curtin community?
I have worked three and a half years at Curtin (1 year in People and Culture and the rest in DTS).
My medical condition is associated with limited mobility, pain, and increased fatigue. I also face challenges with accessibility in the physical environment.
I have experienced stigma especially when people meet me for the first time. The biggest misconception about people living with cerebral palsy is that we are not as intellectually capable as other people. Cerebral palsy is caused by injury or damage to the brain; some people may have secondary disabilities, such as learning, sensory or neurodiverse disabilities.
But the truth is each person living with cerebral palsy is unique and their abilities can vary. We don’t need to be pitied. We just want people to get to know us and see us as a whole person.
How do you address these challenges?
These challenges stem from the lack of disability confidence. I have a good rapport with my line managers and colleagues and build understanding of the nuances of the medical symptoms I live with. Through communication and consultation with my line managers and the Employee Wellbeing team, some workplace adjustments have been set up including a 34-hour week, having access to a mobility scooter and two laptops, and time to self-administer medication. I am grateful as they make a world of difference.
In addition, I am a founding member of the Abilities Collective @ Curtin (AC@C) employee reference group and now serve as the Chairperson.
Can you tell me more about what you do at the AC@C?
The AC@C is an employee reference group founded in 2021. Membership is open for all staff; anyone is welcome to join us to build awareness, understanding and advocacy for employees with disability. I aspire for it to be a friendly and safe space; a network offering support, guidance, and advocacy to work with stakeholders and help Curtin realise its Disability Access and Inclusion Plan (DAIP) commitments.
If you are interested in getting involved, please email us at abilitiescollective@curtin.edu.au, and feel free to join our events including social catch-ups to meet more friends.
Thank you. I am very glad I could learn more about your lived experiences and your advocacy. Can you share any tips for anyone living with a disability or health condition?
1. Don’t be too hard on yourself.
2. Try not to compare yourself to others.
3. Lean on your support network; there is no shame in seeking professional support.
4. Asking for help is not easy but it is necessary to get adjustments people with disabilities may require. Students can reach out to the teaching staff at Curtin and AccessAbility Services. Employees can sound out their line manager or the Employee Wellbeing team.
5. Utilise Assistive Technologies to make your life easier.
6. Stay positive.