The Extraordinary Life of Tom Nash aka DJ Hookie

At the age of 19, Tom Nash contracted meningococcal disease. This life-threatening condition caused severe septicaemia, necessitating the amputation of both his legs below the knee and both arms through the elbow, and left him with severe tissue damage and scarring over large parts of his body and face. Following a two-year period of painful treatments, Nash rebuilt his life: first, by learning to walk on prosthetic legs and use metal hooks instead of hands; and then, by forging a career as first a DJ and event manager and then an international keynote speaker. His life story is a testament to the human capacity for creative adaptability, and it’s told with irreverent and occasionally savage humour.
Read a review of his new book Hook, Line & Sinner here: quillette.com/2023/10/17/the-...
00:00 📖 Intro: Quillette is an independent platform for heterodox ideas.
01:11 📚 "Hook, Line, and Sinner" by Tom Nash explores life after meningococcal disease.
03:44 🍀 Tom's resilience stems from disability.
11:28 💪 Overcoming pain shaped Tom's positive outlook.
21:02 🤝 Tom's stoicism.
23:44 🧠 Disabilities can develop unique problem-solving skills.
25:19 🚫 Avoiding victimhood mentality.
36:09 🔄 Reframing challenges.
48:11 🎁 "Curb cut effect"
50:45 🚀 Precursory tech from disabilities fuels innovations.
52:24 🌍 Designing for specific needs can aid an aging population.
01:00:38 📚 The book explores post-traumatic growth and adaptation.
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Quillette is an Australian-based online magazine that focuses on long-form analysis and cultural commentary. It is politically non-partisan, but relies on reason, science, and humanism as its guiding values.
Quillette was founded in 2015 by Australian writer Claire Lehmann. It is a platform for free thought and a space for open discussion and debate on a wide range of topics, including politics, culture, science, and technology.
Quillette has gained attention for publishing articles and essays that challenge modern heterodoxy on a variety of topics, including gender and sexuality, race and identity politics, and free speech and censorship.
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[@hookie]

Thanks Iona & Quillette

[@drionaitalia]

My pleasure.