Meriel Stranger gives a very practical sometimes humorous and insightful insight of how issues shouldnt but often do for those using a wheelchshair
Often or in fact usually these are just ordinary taken-for granted matters which become obsacles in a wheelchair
Accessibility is a key phrase in her story. We will see how obviously it is a right often denied
Australia does not always do well but read through and see how we where every we are might to better to level the playing field
Personally I am a very ‘bolshie’ person, now whether I was always like that before my accident I don’t remember but since acquiring my disability in March 1995 from a fall from a horse, resulting in me being an incomplete quadriplegic and legally blind, I have developed into the person I am now – and I wouldn’t change a thing.
I’m in a wheelchair, it is not who I am, it is just how I get around. I simplyuse a wheelchair for mobility. March 2015 I’ll be celebrating 20 years of living and being alive. I amblessed to have found my passion and that is improving the lives of people with disability.
Access is so important both physically and psychologically. In fact, it is a passion of mine. I know if I can’t access the place, I can only imaginehow one feels who is new to the world of disability?! How my heart goesout to a person’s first experience with inaccessibility. It destroys one’s self worth and confidence. This is one battle I find hard to refuse when itcomes to others. I figure that I am big enough and ugly enough to take the battle on.
Since having my voice returned after an operation in March 2005, after10 years of being confused with being thought of as a man, I now usemy voice in improving accessibility within my community. There are times when I miss my deep husky voice! I didn’t waste those years Icouldn’t talk, instead I improved my writing skills.
I know that I have said this on numerous occasions before, the one thing I have learnt is to pick my battles – yes I notice things are not quite right
with a premise and a simple adjustment would make it perfect but instead I just choose not to go there again. Sometimes you are just too
exhausted to keep fighting the good fight.
It does not make good business sense when one third of the population is excluded from your business because of lack of access.
Meriel Stanger
July 2014 Brisbane