top of page




Noell Ratapu
Jun 15, 20244 min read
Equality isn’t Enough
The concept of equality is treating everyone with the same status, rights and opportunities. But how does equality actually affect those...
174 views0 comments


Noell Ratapu
Dec 1, 20234 min read
Me Too.
This blog includes a trigger warning as it discusses sexual assault and rape. I want to address a topic rarely talked about: over 80...
221 views0 comments


Noell Ratapu
Aug 4, 20234 min read
Finding Acceptance
Since it’s SMA Awareness Month, I thought I would talk about my disability for those who are new to my blogs, as well as learning the...
208 views0 comments


Noell Ratapu
Jul 5, 20236 min read
Breaking Barriers: A Journey Through The History of Disability Rights
Throughout my life, multiple people have asked me a question that can provide a glimpse into someone's personality or simply serve as a...
179 views0 comments


Noell Ratapu
May 31, 20232 min read
Embracing Queerness & Shattering Societal Constraints
During the pandemic, something significant happened: I embraced my Queer identity. Two years of isolation gave me time to reflect on my...
196 views0 comments

Noell Ratapu
May 9, 20233 min read
Grief, Adaptation & Resilience
Grief has followed me throughout my life. I actually remember the exact moment when I first felt that feeling of loss, something I didn’t...
221 views0 comments




Noell Ratapu
Mar 11, 20234 min read
I am proud to be a Disabled Māori woman.
Growing up mixed race, as well as being disabled on top of that, was extremely challenging. Especially growing up in Tūranga-nui-a-Kiwa...
588 views1 comment


Noell Ratapu
Sep 17, 20226 min read
Pharmac Do Better!
I feel as if I should talk more about the treatment I am on. Especially since it hugely contributed to me living a better quality of...
403 views0 comments


Noell Ratapu
Aug 12, 20225 min read
Don't Be A Trashy Human, Be Inclusive
I’ve never had a positive school experience, and sadly this is actually very common for Disabled children and teens - in fact, Disabled...
214 views0 comments


Noell Ratapu
Jul 29, 20223 min read
Awareness Is Change
For those who don’t know me - I was diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy at 18 months old and have been in a wheelchair since the age...
281 views0 comments


Noell Ratapu
Jul 20, 20224 min read
The Aftermath
When the documentary ‘Noel in Focus’ was filmed in 2014, it followed my life as a 14-15 year old. I’m now 23. At that time. I was very...
325 views0 comments


Noell Ratapu
Jun 15, 20244 min read
Equality isn’t Enough
The concept of equality is treating everyone with the same status, rights and opportunities. But how does equality actually affect those...
174 views0 comments


Noell Ratapu
Dec 1, 20234 min read
Me Too.
This blog includes a trigger warning as it discusses sexual assault and rape. I want to address a topic rarely talked about: over 80...
221 views0 comments


Noell Ratapu
Aug 4, 20234 min read
Finding Acceptance
Since it’s SMA Awareness Month, I thought I would talk about my disability for those who are new to my blogs, as well as learning the...
208 views0 comments


Noell Ratapu
Jul 5, 20236 min read
Breaking Barriers: A Journey Through The History of Disability Rights
Throughout my life, multiple people have asked me a question that can provide a glimpse into someone's personality or simply serve as a...
179 views0 comments


Noell Ratapu
May 31, 20232 min read
Embracing Queerness & Shattering Societal Constraints
During the pandemic, something significant happened: I embraced my Queer identity. Two years of isolation gave me time to reflect on my...
196 views0 comments

Noell Ratapu
May 9, 20233 min read
Grief, Adaptation & Resilience
Grief has followed me throughout my life. I actually remember the exact moment when I first felt that feeling of loss, something I didn’t...
221 views0 comments




Noell Ratapu
Mar 11, 20234 min read
I am proud to be a Disabled Māori woman.
Growing up mixed race, as well as being disabled on top of that, was extremely challenging. Especially growing up in Tūranga-nui-a-Kiwa...
588 views1 comment


Noell Ratapu
Sep 17, 20226 min read
Pharmac Do Better!
I feel as if I should talk more about the treatment I am on. Especially since it hugely contributed to me living a better quality of...
403 views0 comments


Noell Ratapu
Aug 12, 20225 min read
Don't Be A Trashy Human, Be Inclusive
I’ve never had a positive school experience, and sadly this is actually very common for Disabled children and teens - in fact, Disabled...
214 views0 comments
bottom of page