Introduction Every four weeks I visit my local GP to get prescriptions for the multitude of medications I take. I’ve had the same Doctor for over a decade, and he has helped me in many ways. I visited the Doctor in an alternative location, rather than where I normally visit. By the time I got back into my van, my wheelchair was damaged, both my hands were hurting, and I felt stressed and angry. Shouldn’t a visit to the Doctor…
RAA wheelchair road service – an introduction Fortunately, my seven-year-old Pride Quantum 6000Z powered wheelchair, has broken down infrequently. Two flat tyres and twice the battery was disconnected, once by Qantas baggage handlers and the other time by me. I exited the footpath and onto the road, and the asphalt was laid too high and caught my footplate. After tilting forward and lifting the drive wheels off the ground, the chair crashed back down, it turned off and wouldn’t turn…
Keep SATSS Taxi Subsidy – introduction SATSS – South Australian Taxi Subsidy Scheme gives freedom to PWD – people with disability to travel. It discounts taxi fares by either 50 or 75%, depending on the disability. Each eligible PWD gets 80 vouchers every six months and saves up to $4,800 a year. Sounds great, but the SATSS taxi subsidy will cease to exist this year. Transition to NDIS As PWD transition to the NDIS – National Disability Insurance Scheme, the…
SCI driving – introduction I acquired a Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) in 2009. During my time in ICU, I received a letter from the Department for Transport. They cancelled my driving licence, and it was upsetting to receive a message like this. I was mentally low and struggling to come to terms with my life and what the future holds. It just added to the list of things that I would never do again, and I added SCI driving to…
Disability Humour – introduction ‘Disability Humour’ – It’s not fun living with a disability, but the humour makes it easier. Before acquiring a disability, my humour, including pranks, would regularly get me into trouble with other people. I took a rubber dog poo into work at Origin Energy and placed it into the filing cabinet of a work colleague. The plan was that they would be shocked, and then realise it was only rubber, and then have a laugh. Instead,…
An introduction Adelaide Fringe Accessibility is a topic which is important to me, as I use a wheelchair to get around. I first attended the Adelaide Fringe in a wheelchair in 2016. And went to seven events including The Naked Magicians, Neel Kolhatkar and Abbot the musical. In 2017 it was only two events including Graeme of Thrones, and 2018 it was seven events including Jackson vs Jackson, Adelaide Wind Orchestra and the Soweto Gospel Choir. In 2019 I attended…
Adelaide Access Taxis – introduction I am fortunate to have a vehicle that I can drive independently, whenever I want, and wherever I choose to go. It is a 2013 Volkswagen Transporter that can take my manual or powered wheelchairs. The underfloor lifter, docking station, 3-way driver’s seat, hand controls and an additional seat belt are the magic that makes it happen. There are times when catching a taxi is beneficial, such as journeys to the City of Adelaide or…
No More Christian Nice Guy – Introduction I feel that I’ve chosen to be nice, rather than good. In 2009, I was hit by a tree, and I didn’t have the energy, strength or time to be anything other than nice. This would change over time. The ‘no more christian nice guy’ book has been helpful. A definition of nice could be ‘pleasing and agreeable in nature’. On the surface, being nice sounds ok. However, nice people keep saying ‘yes’,…
I’ve attended a variety of denominations of the Christian Church. They include the Methodist Church, the Uniting Church, the Salvation Army and Australia Christian Churches. All of them have a few common factors including Jesus, Protestantism and Tithing. This blog explores ‘Tithing then and now’. Definition of Tithing For a Christian, a tithe is giving back to God 1/10th of what you have received. The Salvation Army has a giving program named ‘planned giving’. They ask that all church members…
Wheelie Good Cruises introduction Wheelie Good Cruises promises ‘Hassle-free cruises for people with a disability’. And I’ve heard that they deliver on their promise. The best person to know about cruising with a disability is a person with a disability. Wheelie Good Cruises is owned by Robert De Pasquale, who has Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus. Apparently, he has been on cruise holidays for over 25 years. The Poll with a silly question Robert created a poll with the question ‘Should…
