How to endure pain – by Ian Walker
Discomfort, ache, agony, soreness are all words that mean the same thing. Pain!
Now pain is something that generally I try to avoid, however, this is not always possible because as many who also suffer from an incomplete spinal cord injury as I do will know, we endure pain every single day.
However, I discovered ways to ease the pain, to soften it, to pad it with something, so I don’t have to feel the full impact of it:
Dreaming of Tokyo – by Susan Seipel
The Summer Paralympics in Tokyo should be on right now, August 23rd- September 6th. The Games were, of course, postponed for the first time in history because of the coronavirus outbreak.
In early March this year, the WHO called Covid-19 a pandemic, that same week I was competing at the Paracanoe selection trials. Having satisfied all the selection criteria by winning both my kayak and outrigger canoe races, I was excitedly awaiting the official announcement of my selection onto the Australian Paralympic Team.
What living with a disability has taught me about self-care and connecting during isolation - by Jess Cochran
No matter who you are or where you’re from we are all finding ourselves in a truly unique situation of a globally shared journey and challenge. COVID-19 has impacted everyone around the world, there isn’t a place or person it hasn’t affected in some way. Although it’s definitely a scary and uncertain time we have also learnt just how important it is to connect and practice self-care.
Having your say on public policy and affects you – by Geoff Trappett OAM
How do you go about having your say on public policy decisions that are important to you as a disabled person? Why should you?
Whether it be commenting on the development of a new National Disability Strategy, the Australian Building Codes Board consultation on accessible housing or reviews of the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport (DSAPT) there are many pieces of work underway that will have a direct effect on how you as a disabled person interact with the world as an Australian citizen.
Speaking your language – by Charlotte Palmer, Physiotherapist
Upgrading the equipment of a hospital or rest home could make staff and patients’ lives easier, or make a normal task more of a chore. We have recently won the tender to replace the Canterbury District Health Board’s mattresses. This includes training on the Softform Premier Active 2 mattress and pump for 12 hospitals, all of which are different sizes and have different patient demographics.
Meet Thepdanuj Danswasvong (Kare), Invacare Asia’s Marketing Associate
Thepdanuj Danswasvong (Kare), Invacare Asia’s Marketing Associate, loves the culture of his workplace and the working environment of the company, saying that, “we help and support each other.”
Meet Josh Brass – by Eliza Ault-Connell AM
Josh Brass is a pocket rocket of dynamo proportions. When asked about just how many sports he participates in he says “I just do heaps, I can't keep track!'
Josh, who is originally from New Zealand but now resides in Queensland Australia, goes on to name track, tennis, obstacle course racing, triathlons, swimming and personal training to name a few. His attitude towards life and being active
is insatiable. When asked about his dream sport to get involved in he is quick to answer ice hockey, because he adores being on the ice and loves going fast.
Becoming Independent - by Alicia Kapa
Life has changed a lot this year for the entire world but it is about to change a whole lot more for my family and I. For the last year I have wanted to go flatting as every 21 year old wants to do but I discovered that it’s not that easy to find a house that is accessible. This means that I am staying at home and my parents are moving out, this is happening next weekend. To be exact, the 4th of July, Independence Day which is ironic.
11-year-old Lucas Pedersen tells us about his experience with wheelchair racing
Hi, my name is Lucas and I am 11 years old. I was born with spina bifida, I am a full-time wheelchair user. I am a member of Parafed Waikato and part of their Youth Club.
My favourite sport is push rim wheelchair racing. I love it because it is fun and you can get some speed up, also I am with other people who are like me.
Reframing the meaning of disability – by Marlena Katene
The other day my flatmate went outside and found his car with a flat tyre. After around 20 minutes of struggling to get the wheel off, he came in swearing and blaming not having the right equipment rather than admit his “inability” to change the wheel.