430: What if you were poisoned? [Rebroadcast #304]
Summary
In this episode, Ashley recounts being poisoned with methanol during a backpacking trip to Bali, which resulted in permanent blindness. She details the immediate medical crisis, her struggle with denial and depression, and the isolation of navigating life as a newly disabled person. The narrative follows her journey toward acceptance, including a suicide attempt and eventually returning to her passion for acting. The story concludes with her advocacy work to raise awareness about the dangers of counterfeit alcohol in tourist destinations.
Topics discussed
Intro, sponsor, and episode context
Family background and parents' marriage
Divorce, abuse, and high school theater
Bullying and decision to skip university
Backpacking in Australia and Byron Bay
Traveling to Bali and arriving in Kuta
Life in Kuta and feeling unsafe in Bali
The night of the incident at a bar
Flight to New Zealand and customs issues
Arrival in Christchurch and lost luggage
Kindness from locals and hostel stay
Waking up unable to breathe
Hospital diagnosis: methanol poisoning
Treatment with vodka and ICU stay
Mother's arrival and initial reassurance
Loss of eyesight and grief
Medical explanation and isolation
Denial, anger, and lack of rehabilitation
Depression and suicide attempt
Going public and media attention
How methanol poisoning occurs in tourism
Recovery, travel, and new relationships
Return to acting and accessibility work
Reflections on identity and disability
Outro, sponsor, and credits
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