Why I am freed by my chair, not bound – by Tyrone Cook
Every time I hear the words “wheelchair-bound”, I cringe as I get this vision of someone in their wheelchair with rope literally binding them to it and never getting out of it. I picture a little bucket under them to toilet in, the seat being waterproof because well, they would have to be able to have a shower and a place to put their pillow to sleep.
A Letter to my Younger Self – by Jessica Cochran
Dear Younger Self,
You are going to face challenges in your life that you’ve never imagined, at times it will be hard, and times your life will hang in the balance and fear will surround you. It is going to be a rough road but I’m here to tell you that despite those challenges you have it within you to grow into someone strong, kind, determined, and beautiful.
Demystifying disabled sport – by Geoff Trappett OAM
Back when I was competing in the Paralympics there was simply disabled sport. We were disabled athletes. Paralympians if we have reached that level. Now though in 2021 the landscape and the terms we use have changed. Changed for the better we hope but let's demystify some of the terms you may now hear.
First things first one part of the Paralympics that still comes as a surprise to some is that the ‘Para’ doesn’t actually derive from Paraplegic. Instead, it actually comes from Parallel. Meant to signify that it sits in parallel with the Olympic movement.
Meet Krishna Prasad, Invacare Country Manager in India and South Asia.
Krishna’s role at Invacare provides him with many opportunities to engage with our customers, where he identifies products that both improve their lives and delight them. “My clients feel very comfortable sharing their challenges and pain points as I am able to make their lives better. I really enjoy developing a strong rapport and relationship with customers. It’s a favourite part of my job.”
Is every disabled person really inspirational? – by Eliza Ault-Connell AM
These days you don’t have to look too far in the world of social media to find a picture of someone with a disability accompanied by an inspirational quote.
Many people share these posts in the hope that it makes themselves and others feel better about their lives and in the hope that they can draw inspiration for their own gratification. Have you ever considered the other side?
Meet Kevin Chan, Invacare’s Business Development Manager in New Zealand.
What Kevin loves most about his role at Invacare is that it allows him to help people and to improve their wellbeing. “I’m very lucky - my direct manager (Nicolette) believes in me and cuts me loose to follow through with ideas so we can drive positive change for ourselves, customers and the real people at the end of it the end users.”
Accepting Differences – by Alicia Kapa
Nothing is the same in this world and that includes people. Everyone is different which is what makes us unique, even twins! Differences make the world go round as everyone has different strengths, weaknesses, opinions and beliefs that all have a role to play. In saying this, a lot of people find it really hard to accept people who are different to them but it’s very important to accept people even if you don’t believe the same thing or have the same abilities.
Friends vs Workers - by Marlena Katene
“It's not what we have in life, but whom we have in life that matters”
Meet Rattanakorn Bunpatothamrong, Invacare’s Business Development Manager in Thailand.
Rattanakorn Bunpatothamrong loves her dynamic work team in Thailand. Her role involves finding new products and managing sales to customers as well as keeping them updated. Rattanakorn helps her clients match products that will achieve their desired lifestyle and fit within their budgets.
A degree in Humanities with a major in English helped Rattanakorn enter the medical equipment industry 10 years ago and her experience is largely working in sales with products such as wheelchairs, hospital beds, mattresses and patient lifters.
LIFE COACHING – TO IMPROVE AND ACHIEVE – By Ian Walker
Toward the end of every year, countless numbers of us set ourselves new year’s resolutions. These are usually aspects of our lives that we believe changes, positive changes would improve our ‘lot’. But how many of us actually do something about adopting these resolutions? Actually make them work for us to achieve what we want out of our life? How many of us truly look at our lives, seriously enough to set a course of direction to achieve the things we really want? Life coaching can be the answer to these questions we pose ourselves.