New Year Goal Setting for Athletes and Fitness Enthusiasts - by Paralympian, Susan Seipel
The new year has arrived! Time to reflect on the past 12 months and start to plan for the future. January is the start of the domestic competition season for my sport of Paracanoe. So, it is the perfect time to set goals for the coming year and the next Paralympic cycle. Goal setting is an important part of being an athlete and I thought I would share some of my tips.
Working Class Man – by Tyrone Cook
The last time I was employed ended in 2010 after I was unfairly dismissed, this of course added to the PTSD I already had. I lost my confidence and wasn’t sure I could work again, other than advocacy work… until that is, I moved into residential care services and the Regional Manager for our service decided she wanted to employ service users and pay them.
At the time there was no administration at the office and so they created the role of Casual Administrator specifically for me as they knew I had the skills from previous roles and that I was eager to learn new skills.
Music as Therapy - an update - by Jessica Cochran
Sometimes I hear a song on the radio and it hits me like a wave, the wall comes crashing down and I feel the emotion run through me, and this isn't necessarily a bad thing. (Cochran, 2020)
The constant worry of discrimination – by Geoff Trappett OAM
Every disabled person knows outright discrimination. From not being allowed into a space ‘because you are a fire hazard’, not providing communication in applicable formats, to refusing entry to a space due to a guide or assistance animal. These acts of discrimination are abhorrent and must be stopped through every avenue both legal and social we have at our disposal as a society.
How I cope with lockdowns – by Alicia Kapa
Lockdown has become the new normal for life these days as we struggle to keep Covid-19 under control. It has come with a lot of mixed emotions, feelings and discovery of things we did not know existed before.
There are many ways people have dealt with hard times during this pandemic. Here in New Zealand, we are currently in our 4th lockdown, so we have figured out what works best for us! I’d like to share with you what has helped me during this current lockdown and hopefully, it might help you!
Job hunting as a person with a disability – by Eliza Ault-Connell AM
There are many challenges around employment for people living with a disability. The statistics show that 48% of people with a disability are employed compared to 80% of people ages 16-64 without a disability. Sadly, what these statistics show is that people without a disability are twice as likely to be employed as their disabled counterparts.
There are many reasons that contribute to these numbers.
- Physical Barriers. These can take the form of structural issues in the environment that impede function.
Queen of the castle: Access at its best! – by Marlena Katene
When is a home truly a home?
The Honour of Being an Invacare Ambassador - by Ian Walker
Hey everybody!
This year I was invited to give a talk about my journey recovering from two separate spinal cord injuries (SCI) by Geoff Purtill, Invacare Vice President Global Strategy and General Manager Asia Pacific, at the recent 2021 ATSNZ Disability Expo held in Auckland, New Zealand.
At the event I was talking with Sankesh Chetty, Invacare Business Manager New Zealand and Marketing Manager Australia New Zealand, when he made the first exciting and humbling suggestion of appointing me an Invacare Ambassador.
Don’t call me an Olympian – by Susan Seipel
I am a proud Paralympian, by calling me an Olympian you dismiss the rich history of the Paralympic movement and the pioneering figures that stood up against injustice and prejudice to transform society’s views on people with disabilities through sport.
Those who have inspired me to be me – by Tyrone Cook
As disabled people, we often feel we are different and think “who can I look up to, there is no one like me in the media, or who is famous”, we forget that throughout history there have been many disabled people who have made a true impact. I am going to talk about 4 well-known people, who are not only disabled but who inspire me to stay true to myself.