We are stronger as a community than alone.

The old adage of something being bigger as a whole than the sum of its parts is never more evident than when we talk about peer support in the disabled community.

Peer support is broadly defined as ‘an initiative consisting of trained supporters, and can take a number of forms such as peer mentoring, reflective listening, or counseling’. However pure words don’t do the concept justice. 

Recently Invacares’ sports orientated brand Top End put on a come and try day, a chance for the young and the young at heart to experience equipment they may not have had the opportunity to try before. But the day turned into so much more than this.

Peer support was the true show stopper. From seasoned Invacare athletes like Rheed McCracken and Eliza Ault-Connell AM to those who are not only new to sport but in some cases new to the disability community everyone was there to learn from each other. 

Not only learning about sport but learning how to navigate life as a disabled person. How to be the best possible version of yourself. How have you navigated the school system? The health system? How have you ensured that your disability has not been an impediment to you taking part in the workforce? In short, how have you ensured your disability is simply a difference not necessarily a positive or a negative. What equipment choices have worked for you? How are you able to be you?

Each and every disabled person has their own journey. But that doesn’t mean we travel alone. With disabled people making up around 20% of the population we do tend to spend a large amount of time educating the 80% on what makes a community accepting. However, we must remember what the 20% has within themselves to teach each other.  

About the Author:

Geoff Trappett OAM is a former Paralympic Athlete. With a career that spanned two world championships, two paralympic games, a gold medal in Sydney 2000 and a world record. Following on from sport Geoff has transitioned to working professionally in multiple senior executive roles in the disability sector both within disability service providers and disabled person run advocacy organisations. Now leading his own social policy change organisation Inclusion Moves developing inclusion and diversity plans in the corporate world and speaking out on human rights and disability inclusion related issues.