Journey to a wheelchair 5 – Independence, Elevators, and P Plates – by Ferris Knight
Ernest Hemingway once wrote about how things happen ‘gradually, then suddenly’. That’s how this (literal) ride has been.
Ignorance vs awareness - by Alicia Kapa
Living with a disability has many challenges. These can be made harder or easier with how people react and treat you. Ignorance vs awareness is very easy to recognise and I am going to share some of my experiences throughout my life that will always stand out.
A cruise ship holiday – how well do they work for a person with a disability? – by Lindsay Nott
With the summer holidays fast approaching, having a disability always amplifies our concerns and requirements for an easy, relaxing holiday.
Travelling with a chair or three – by Marlena Katene
In June I embarked on an amazing journey now nearing the end, some three and half months later.
On this trip, I started with one electric wheelchair (TDX ), a commode chair, a manual chair and 3 bags. As the song says “They see me rolling……they hating …. They wanna see me riding dirty”. Europe here I come!
But I try to remember “No shopping Marlena no Shopping!” I am a woman, and this idea was never going to be a reality. Don’t judge me I like to shop and to be honest that was a Bert (my travel companion and luggage handler/ packer) problem, not mine.
THE MESSAGE I TOOK FROM THE PARIS 2024 PARALYMPICS – by Ian Walker
The recently completed Paris 2024 Paralympics was an amazing showcase for those living with a disability and how they, despite their disability, are still able to compete in an ever-competitive sporting environment globally. Wearing my wheelchair user hat in particular, I found the Paris Paralympics principally beneficial for wheelchair users for several reasons:
Clinically Perfecting Self-Propel Using the Add-On Benefit Of Power Assist – by Juliette Lee
Some of the most satisfying days in my role are when I can set-up E-Motion power-assist wheels for a person who has never used them before. The pushrim-activated, lithium battery powered wheels greatly help the wheelchair user to enjoy more endurance for socializing, work or campus travel; to preserve their upper limb girdle strength to train/compete in sport;and to prevent spine, shoulders, elbows or wrists from injuries that might otherwise affect their independence.
The Power of Sharing your story – by Natasha Astill
Why is it important to share your story? How you can share your story safely?
I share my story safely by sharing as much information as I can without breaching my own confidentiality by being honest and real about situations.
It is important because you never know what someone else is experiencing. As not all disabilities are visible.
Sharing your stories makes others feel less alone and it makes those who are sharing confident within themselves it is also empowering.
Some tips I would recommend are:
A LESSON FROM NATURE – by Bill Fuller
I am a person who suffers from high anxiety and my anxiety levels are never higher than when I am driving, or at least they use to be (just ask my long suffering wife!)
Making Change for the Disability Community from the Bottom Up – by Anja Christoffersen
I have lived with a disability, diagnosed during my mother’s pregnancy, my entire life. Yet, like many who have a disability, the ‘label’ didn’t resonate with me for a long time. People may assume that it was simply because I don’t look disabled.
Finding a New Norm Living with Disability – by Natasha Price
Probably one of the hardest things about acquiring a disability is the loss of self.
Everything that has been your reality until that point, suddenly becomes foreign. Becomes difficult. Maybe even impossible.
And very few people truly understand how it feels to lose their identity, their independence and their autonomy. In this situation, you have two choices.
You can simply allow the situation to control you.
Or, you can take control and learn a new norm.
Easier said than done though, right?