The hardest part about being in a wheelchair is that I’m constantly robbed of choice. Now these choices are ones any able bodied person would probably take for granted. See, I do really well in all of my classes. I love to write and read. I listen to an eclectic bunch of music. I love movies and TV.
In all those things, I match with any teenager in most ways right? But the thing is, I happen to have a disability. A disability called Cerebral Palsy for which we know not the cause or the cure. Having CP affects my mobility. It means that I use a wheelchair to get around as my main mode of transport. Having CP affects the way my BODY works. It doesn’t affect my brain or my heart and soul. They work as well as any able-bodied person’s.
It means that this morning to get out of bed, I had to get my mum’s help. It means that every time I want to move from my wheelchair, I need an adult’s assistance or supervision. It means that as a little kid, a lot of people with physical disabilities could really do was watch from the sidelines as others played and had fun, too absorbed in their worlds of make believe as a child should be, to notice that we were being left out.
Stella Young was a fierce disability advocate. Watch her beautiful chat with Mamamia. (Post continues after video.)
Top Comments
Thank you Hannah for this important perspective. I had my light bulb moment about this nearly 5 years ago when my Mum had to start using a wheelchair for her ever worsening MND. As her movement slowed and her words disappeared, I knew my same beautiful funny wise Mum was still in there, and she just wanted to be spoken to and involved in our lives the same as before. As before, Mum was just delivering another life lesson, based on treating others with respect and dignity. Hannah, I hope more people in your life have their light bulb moment soon. Best wishes to you
Thank you for your articulate insight, it is educational for me to read this and has certainly given me something to think about. I realise what I'm about to say is not entirely related, but as I get older and experience the odd ache avid pain eg sore back, legs etc, it makes me notice how bad the facilities are for disabled people as sometimes I'm somewhere and my legs ache but there is only stairs etc. it's not a big problem for me but it does make me wonder how disabled people manage.
Not enough is being done about disability issues in this country, and I don't know that any political party is fully addressing it, though I am aware that the Labor Party brought in the NDIS.
Anyway thank you for your story.